Peer Support Specialist

Your Story Could Be Someone Else's Turning Point.

At Cornerstone Community Initiative, we believe that hope is one of the most powerful tools in successful reentry.

We're looking for a compassionate, authentic, and recovery-oriented Peer Support Specialist who understands that meaningful change happens through trust, encouragement, and genuine human connection. Whether your lived experience comes from former incarceration, substance use/mental health recovery, or supporting a loved one, your ability to inspire hope can make a lasting impact on someone beginning a new chapter.

Lived Experience is Our Strength

Cornerstone Community Initiative believes that lived experience is one of our greatest assets.

We strongly encourage applicants with personal or familial lived experience related to incarceration, recovery, behavioral health, or navigating complex community systems to apply. Your experiences can help inspire hope, build trust, and demonstrate that lasting change is possible.

If you believe people deserve a second chance and want to walk alongside them as they rebuild their lives, we'd love to meet you.

Job Overview

The Peer Support Specialist provides encouragement, mentorship, advocacy, and peer support to justice-involved individuals before and after release from incarceration. Working as part of CCI's coordinated reentry team, you'll help participants build confidence, strengthen recovery and wellness, navigate community resources, and remain engaged with the supports that promote long-term success.

This role is built on authentic relationships, shared understanding, and the belief that recovery and successful reintegration are possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with participants through mentorship, encouragement, and peer support.
• Promote participant engagement, recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, and successful community reintegration.
• Connect participants with community resources while supporting continued engagement with services and recovery supports.
• Facilitate peer support activities, educational groups, and skill-building opportunities.
• Support CCI's mentorship program through mentor recruitment, participant matching, and ongoing engagement.
• Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to participant outcome tracking and program reporting.
• Represent CCI through community outreach, collaboration, and advocacy.

Qualifications & Skills

We're looking for someone who is:

• Compassionate, dependable, and committed to helping others succeed.
• Skilled at building trust and maintaining healthy professional boundaries.
• An effective communicator and active listener.
• Comfortable facilitating groups, mentoring individuals, and working collaboratively with community partners.
• Organized, reliable, and committed to maintaining accurate documentation.
• Dedicated to treating every participant with dignity, respect, and empathy.

Experience

• At least 1 year of working with individuals with substance abuse/mental health required.
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) and/or Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) certification is required.

Why Join CCI?

Cornerstone Community Initiative is building Monroe County's coordinated reentry system: connecting people returning from incarceration with housing, employment, healthcare, recovery supports, education, and community resources that help them build stable, productive lives.

As a Peer Support Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day. Not by solving every problem, but by helping individuals believe in themselves, stay connected to support, and keep moving forward.

If you've ever wanted your work to truly matter, this is your opportunity.

Pay: $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a valid Drivers License and reliable transportation?
• Do you have personal or familial lived experience of incarceration or substance use/mental health recovery that has prepared you to support individuals returning from incarceration or navigating recovery and behavioral health challenges? If yes, please tell us about your experience.

Experience:

• working with individuals with substance abuse/mental health: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Certified Recovery Specialist or Certified Peer Specialist? (Preferred)

Work Location: In person