MAVS Peer Mentor Coordinator (Contracted-Only Position)

GRANT FUNDED: Classification - Limited employment, appointment to and continued services in this position is subject to the cessation of grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. This is a grant-funded position and is not part of the Court’s general operating budget, and ongoing funding for this position is dependent on the continuation of the grant or identification of other external funding resources. The current grant period ends Sept. 30, 2026.

JOB OVERVIEW
The Court operates five specialized dockets that undergo reoccurring certification evaluations by the Supreme Court of Ohio. As a requirement for operation, each docket must receive approval and certification by the Supreme Court which includes submitting written materials and undergoing a site review to ensure that statewide, minimum standards are met.
The Specialized Docket Department links participants to behavioral health treatment providers, encourages independent recovery, sets individualized goals, and monitors personal progress while providing trauma-competent services and balancing accountability for criminal actions. The mission of the Specialized Docket Department is to enhance public safety, rebuild lives, and reduce recidivism through restorative justice while providing community education and support. Our goal is to provide high-quality programming for high-risk, high-need individuals using promising and evidence-based practices. 
Each specialized docket program has Coordinator I, II, and III positions with minimum educational, experience, and/or licensure requirements that the individual must have in order to perform the duties and responsibilities.
The L.I.N.C. program (Learning to Identify and Navigate Change) was created to better serve defendants who are impacted by severe mental illness and who have pending cases before the Court. The program works to promote public safety by providing a structure for participants to get appropriate treatment while being held accountable for their actions. LINC works with community providers to make sure participants are complying with mental health and substance use treatment recommendations.
The CATCH program (Creating Autonomy Through Collaborative Healing) serves defendants who have been charged with misdemeanor solicitation, prostitution, loitering to solicit, or have a related criminal history.  Participants may have severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental illnesses and may be dependent on alcohol and/or drugs.  Because many of the participants have been the victims of human trafficking, CATCH promotes healthy choices through incentives and utilizes therapeutic intervention where deficits may lead to compliance issues.
Recovery Court addresses the needs of defendants whose primary dependency on alcohol or non-opiate drugs results in criminal charges and low-level felonies. The program establishes effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration improving quality of life and increasing community safety by providing Court oversight and linking defendants to appropriate treatment and service providers.
The h.a.r.t. program (Helping Achieve Recovery Together) is an opioid-specific drug court giving defendants with a history of treatment refusal, or non-compliance the opportunity to engage in addiction treatment. Participants are given the opportunity to engage in treatment as an alternative to incarceration, improving quality of life, and increasing the safety of the community by providing court oversight and linking defendants to appropriate treatment and service providers.
The Military and Veteran Service program (MAVS)  is a voluntary specialized docket with a focus on helping Veterans or those with military service history to recover from addiction, deal with mental health issues, and regain their honor by reducing criminal behavior. MAVS strives to honor the commitment of the participants who serve their country by guiding and assisting them in rebuilding their lives in the face of addiction and/or mental health issues that have led them to become involved in the criminal justice system.
This contracted position is specifically assigned to the MAVS program, which meets on Mondays. Based on the nature of the Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) position, individuals may be asked to work in a variety of settings to maintain consistent contact with the assigned peer including office, community, correctional facility and/or transitional living environment. The CPSS would work in close collaboration with the Specialized Docket treatment team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
The Peer Mentor Coordinator (PMC) shall function as a role model using their personal experiences to develop meaningful and trusting relationships with individuals referred to the MAVS specialized docket identified as needing additional peer support.
PMC will coordinate the development of the MAVS Peer Mentor program and provide oversight for the volunteer peer mentors to ensure effective engagement with participants.
Assists in coordinating the logistics of participant engagement including but not limited to providing transportation, managing follow up appointments, and working with all members of the treatment team.
Support participants in achieving personal independence and the development of life skills and empowerment skills such as self-advocacy.
Conduct outreach efforts in the community to recruit peer mentors, engage potential participants and educate the community on available resources.
Works to build a community of both participants and staff that is supportive and conducive to participant growth and recovery. They assist in the implementation of social activities and help create a positive environment for everyone.
Assist with data collection and maintaining records to complete program reports as required by the grantor.
Provide updated information to Specialized Docket treatment team about participant progress, accomplishments, and challenges.
Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and status review hearings.
Attend and participate in monthly Specialized Docket staff meetings and individual supervision with Specialized Docket Manager or Assistant Manager.
Assist participants in gaining information and support from the community to develop mastery over their own recovery, to include but not limited to attendance in a variety of pro-social activities, Twelve Step and other recovery support groups, exposing them to treatment, other supportive services options, and community resources, i.e. communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual, life skills development opportunities, etc.
Actively participate in professional development.
Perform other tasks as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
PMC must be a veteran of the U.S. military service. A combat veteran is preferred. The PMC should have at least one year of lived experience adjusting to civilian life after military service.
PMC must have knowledge of the specific needs of veterans with mental health and substance misuse issues and the challenges of adjusting to a healthy and productive civilian lifestyle.
PMC must be in process of or have already obtained certification through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a Peer Recovery Supporter.
PMC must be compassionate, patient, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
PMC should have community connections to veterans’ community entities/groups where potential mentors or other related support may be engaged.
PMC should have an understanding of the intersection of criminal justice, behavioral health, and substance misuse.
Ability to self-direct the work and maintain consistent documentation of contacts with peers as directed by Specialized Docket treatment team.
Should be open to working with a diverse target population and respectful of cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial differences including an understanding of trauma informed practices, implicit bias and systemic prejudice and discrimination.
Must have an understanding of and respect for each individuals’ unique path to recovery and a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community.
Must be open to a non-traditional work schedule including evenings and weekends.

COURT EXPECTATIONS (of Contract)
In completing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the Court expects the contractor will adhere to all court policies, guidelines, practices, and procedures; act as a role model both inside and outside the Court; perform duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate and thorough manner and be conscientious about meeting department productivity standards; and communicate regularly with supervisor about department issues.

SALARY
$25/hour to include mileage

BENEFITS
This position does not include benefits as it is a contracted position.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT
Employees of the Court are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the Court; they are not in the classified civil service system and are not members of bargaining units.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or genetic information.