Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).

Program Description: 

The Respite is a mental health crisis, alternative to hospitalization program offering short-term Peer-led care in a friendly and supportive home-like environment. Guests are provided with the opportunity to learn and use recovery and relapse prevention skills to ameliorate their current mental health crisis and to provide more effective tools to cope with future crises and avoid hospital-based care. Recovery-oriented services are provided 24-hour and day and include peer support, self-advocacy education and self-help training while supporting gusts to maintain their established daily activities such as visiting with friends, attending a doctor’s appointment or going to work. The maximum length of stay is 28 days.

Position Overview       

The Peer Team Leader is responsible for assisting in the delivery of supportive services for Respite guests through providing direct services as well as guidance and supervision to Peer Respite Workers on the team. The Peer Team Leader will work with the Program Director and Assistant Director to ensure the program meets all contractual and regulatory requirements, and provide high quality guest services in keeping with the agency’s mission and values. The Peer Team Leader, as a member of the program Leadership Team, shares on-call rotations with the Director and Assistant Director.

Job Qualifications

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Have lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully – required.
• Previous professional experience providing mental health Peer Support – required. 
• Previous professional leadership or supervisory experience – preferred. 
• A respect for and high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis – required.
• Commitment to recovery orientated practice and the ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery.
• NYS Peer Certification – required.
• Graduate of Howie the Harp - preferred. 
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED) – required. Bachelor’s Degree - preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Bilingual – preferred.
• Be creative and flexible.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Available to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends and cover holidays as assigned – required. 
• Able to navigate several flights of stairs repeatedly during shift – required

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs. 

Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.  

Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply. 

We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as having a personal experience using 

mental health services. www.communityaccess.org