Recovery Center Team Leader

Title: Recovery Center Team Leader

Position Type: Full-time, Non-exempt

Reports to: Recovery Center Program Manager 

Base Location: Newburgh

Schedule:  Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

Pay Rate: $27.00/hr

About Independent Living, Inc.

Since 1987, Independent Living Inc. (ILI) has been increasing access, encouraging self-determination, and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in the Hudson Valley, of New York. Following the traditional independent living (IL) model, the majority of ILI’s board and staff are individuals with disabilities and use personal, lived experience to support others in the community – turning perceived deficits into assets.

Why Work with Us?

• Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to building a barrier-free society and supporting independent living
• Be part of a collaborative workplace that embraces diversity and innovation, where every team member’s voice and lived experience are respected and valued
• Be part of an organization that champions inclusive hiring practices and actively welcomes individuals of all abilities, recognizing the value of both visible and non-visible disabilities
• Lead a team of Peer Recovery Specialists making a direct impact on individuals navigating mental health and substance use recovery.
• Collaborate with regional partners and community organizations to strengthen recovery-oriented services and systems of care.
• Help shape innovative peer-led recovery supports while fostering professional growth and service excellence.

About the Role

The Recovery Center Team Leader provides supervision, guidance, and support to Recovery Peer Specialists while assisting with the overall coordination and success of the Recovery Center programs. This role promotes recovery-oriented services for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, ensures program quality and compliance, and strengthens partnerships with community stakeholders to improve recovery outcomes.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide supervision to Recovery Peer Specialists
• Assists the Program Manager with programmatic aspects of the reach one program. This includes monitoring caseloads, staff and referral feedback loops and data; and communicating with other community partners. Supervises 3 peer positions and volunteers. 
• Works with Recovery Peer Specialists to provide outreach, coaching, mentoring, systems navigations and other outcome-oriented supports targeted to individuals in recovery from mental health or Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
• Coordinates the Regional Reach One collaborations with Greater mental health - Rockland and PEOPLE USA including quarterly staff trainings and meetings with agency leadership.
• Coordinates regular opportunities to provide peer perspectives to all stakeholders of our rapidly evolving physical and mental healthcare systems. 
• Completes all reporting and record keeping within required timeframes and making sure staff are adhering to this
• Serve as a source of support for individuals during all stages of substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health (MH) recovery.
• Advocate for multiple pathways to recovery and engage in MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) program partnerships.
• Support Individuals and families, both individually and in small groups, with the following activities:
• Creating recovery service plans based on their individual recovery goals and determine steps to achieve those goals; 
• Use recovery-oriented tools to help Individuals address challenges;
• Assist individuals to build their own self-directed wellness plans and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). 
• Assist Individuals to access benefits, entitlements, legal assistance, civic restoration, transportation support, health management, stable housing, and education and employment connections;
• Support Individuals in their decision-making;
• Set up and sustain peer and family self-help and educational groups;
• Support Individuals in crisis;
• Coordinate a variety of activities that encourage engagement, employment, self-management and personal wellness. 
• Maintain a current and working knowledge of systems. 
• Engage in individual advocacy by assisting individuals with substance use disorders and mental health disorders in protecting and promoting their rights, resolving complaints, accessing services and navigating community supports of their choice. Act as a role model/mentor to empower individuals.
• Network with other agency providers and community support services.
• Complete all reporting and record keeping as required.
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings and training sessions provided by Independent Living, Inc. and those provided by outside agencies that are specific to the job responsibilities of the position including OMH learning collaborative meetings.
• The above list of responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive, other responsibilities and/or training may be assigned or required.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Lived experience with recovery and a strong understanding of mental health and substance use recovery systems.
• Experience providing peer support, advocacy, coaching, or case management services.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and team development skills.
• Knowledge of community resources, recovery-oriented practices, and disability-related services.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across teams and community partners.

It Would Be a Plus If You Also Have:

• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA/CRPA-P) and/or New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS/NYCPS-P) credential.
• Willingness and ability to obtain required peer certification within six months of employment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field.
• Two or more years of advocacy, peer support, behavioral health, or recovery services experience.
• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or peer support teams.

Success in This Role Will Be Demonstrated Through

• Effective leadership, supervision, and development of Peer Recovery Specialists.
• Positive recovery outcomes and increased engagement among individuals served.
• Strong collaboration with community partners, healthcare providers, and regional stakeholders.
• Timely, accurate, and compliant program documentation and reporting.
• Successful implementation of recovery-oriented services and peer-led initiatives.
• Increased access to resources, supports, and recovery opportunities for individuals and families.
• Consistent promotion of a person-centered, strengths-based, and recovery-focused culture.

Benefits available to you include:

• Paid holidays from the first day of employment
• Paid lunch break
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company provided Life, AD&D and Short- and Long-Term disability insurance
• Voluntary insurances including Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity 

We actively support an inclusive hiring process and encourage people with disabilities, visible and non-visible, to apply. If you require reasonable accommodation to support the application or onboarding process, please contact Latoya Merricks at (845) 674-7752.

ILI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To apply, visit us at https://www.myindependentliving.org/careers/