Find & Apply For Social / Human Services Specialist Jobs in Bridgeton, New Jersey

Position:

Peer Support Specialist Department:

Substance Use Disorder Services Reports To:

Program Supervisor, SUD Program Coordinator, or designee

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt Location:

South Woods State Prison Position Type :

Full-Time or Part-Time Created:

August 19, 2026

Basic Function:

The Peer Support Specialist provides non-clinical recovery support and administrative coordination for individuals participating in or recently discharged from the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program at South Woods State Prison. This position supports program operations through clerical duties, scheduling, documentation tracking, and follow-up with individuals who have left the SUD program. The Peer uses lived experience, recovery knowledge, and professional boundaries to promote engagement, continuity of care, and successful transition planning while working collaboratively with Maryville staff and correctional partners.

Essential Functions:

• Provide peer-based, non-clinical support to individuals involved in the South Woods SUD program, including encouragement, recovery education, and linkage reminders.
• Assist with clerical and administrative tasks, including maintaining logs, updating rosters, organizing referral information, preparing documents, filing, scanning, copying, and tracking program forms.
• Schedule appointments, follow-up contacts, program check-ins, groups, discharge planning activities, or other meetings as directed by the supervisor or program team.
• Support follow-up for individuals who have left or completed the SUD program, including documenting contact attempts, outcomes, needs identified, and referrals or next steps.
• Assist with tracking participant engagement, attendance, missed appointments, discharge status, and post-program follow-up activity.
• Communicate professionally with Maryville staff, correctional staff, treatment team members, and approved community contacts in accordance with confidentiality requirements.
• Provide reminders and support related to treatment continuity, recovery planning, reentry preparation, and connection to appropriate resources upon release or transition.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and objective documentation in approved tracking systems, logs, spreadsheets, or electronic platforms.
• Use personal recovery experience appropriately to build rapport, model hope, and support participant motivation while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, trainings , quality improvement activities, and program reviews as required.
• Report concerns related to participant safety, relapse risk, behavioral concerns, or urgent needs to the appropriate supervisor or designated staff member immediately.
• Follow all Maryville policies, correctional facility procedures, confidentiality standards, security protocols, and professional conduct expectations. Clerical and Scheduling Responsibilities
• Maintain organized program records, attendance sheets, follow-up trackers, call/contact logs, and scheduling calendars.
• Prepare and update participant lists, appointment schedules, discharge follow-up lists, and internal communication documents.
• Assist with data entry and routine reporting to support program monitoring and performance tracking.
• Coordinate scheduling needs with the supervisor and treatment team to help ensure timely service delivery and follow-up.
• Track missed contacts, rescheduled appointments, pending follow-ups, and completed outreach activity. Minimum Qualifications
• High school diploma or GED required; additional education or training in human services, behavioral health, recovery support, or related field preferred.
• Lived experience with substance use recovery and the ability to use that experience appropriately in a professional peer support role preferred.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential, Peer Recovery Specialist training, or willingness to pursue peer certification as required by program or funding expectations preferred.
• - • Experience working with justice-involved individuals, correctional settings, reentry services, SUD treatment programs, or behavioral health programs preferred.

• Strong organizational, clerical, scheduling, documentation, and communication skills required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, follow security procedures, and work within a correctional environment.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, electronic records, and data entry systems.
• Must meet all Maryville employment requirements and any clearance, background check, orientation, or approval requirements for work within South Woods State Prison. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally with participants, staff, and correctional partners.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate trackers, schedules, and follow-up documentation.
• Understanding of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered support principles.
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid providing clinical counseling, legal advice, or services outside the peer role.
• Dependability, punctuality, discretion, and ability to work independently with supervision.
• Ability to manage sensitive information and maintain compliance with confidentiality standards.
• Commitment to supporting individuals with SUD in a respectful, nonjudgmental, and culturally responsive manner.

Qualifications:

Education/Training:

High school diploma or GED required; additional education or training in human services, behavioral health, recovery support, or related field preferred.

Experience:

Lived experience with substance use recovery and the ability to use that experience appropriately in a professional peer support role preferred.

Sobriety:

If in recovery, a minimum of two (2) years of sobriety.

Substitutions:

Equivalent education, training, and experience may be considered.

Additional Qualifications:

• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential, Peer Recovery Specialist training, or willingness to pursue peer certification as required by program or funding expectations preferred.
• Experience working with justice-involved individuals, correctional settings, reentry services, SUD treatment programs, or behavioral health programs preferred.
• Strong organizational, clerical, scheduling, documentation, and communication skills required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, follow security procedures, and work within a correctional environment.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, electronic records, and data entry systems.
• Must meet all Maryville employment requirements and any clearance, background check, orientation, or approval requirements for work within South Woods State Prison.

Core Competencies:

• Quality
• Productivity
• Job Knowledge
• Reliability
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Skills

Judgement Work Environment:

This position is based within South Woods State Prison and requires compliance with all correctional facility rules, security procedures, professional boundaries, and Maryville policies. The Peer Support Specialist may interact with individuals currently participating in the SUD program, individuals preparing for discharge or release, and approved program staff involved in continuity-of-care planning. Physical and Administrative Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, use a computer, and perform routine clerical duties for extended periods.
• Ability to organize paper and electronic records and maintain accurate documentation.
• Ability to follow facility movement, identification, safety, and communication protocols.

Ability to attend required trainings, supervision sessions, and program meetings

Pay:

$21.63 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Bereavement leave Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person