The Peer Navigation Specialist supports the implementation of a multi-year prevention and navigation grant serving transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) community members. The Peer Navigation Specialist uses a peer-based, strengths-focused approach to promote health education, HIV prevention, engagement in care, and connection to supportive services.

The Peer Navigation Specialist provides outreach, intake support, health promotion, risk-reduction counseling, navigation, case management, and group-level intervention support for participants. This role helps participants identify goals, address barriers to care, and connect with affirming internal and external resources. The Peer Navigation Specialist also supports data collection, survey administration, participant tracking, event coordination, and required documentation to meet program and funder expectations.

Essential Job Functions

The Peer Navigation Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:

Client Navigation, Health Education, and Prevention Services

• Provide health promotion, health education, and risk-reduction counseling to TGNCNB community members.
• Provide education on HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP, PEP, condoms, routine testing, and linkage to prevention services.
• Identify and address barriers to prevention, care, and supportive services, including social determinants of health.
• Use motivational interviewing and other client-centered approaches to support participants in identifying goals and taking steps toward achieving them.
• Coordinate referrals and linkages to internal and external service providers to support continuity of care.
• Provide navigation and case management support, including regular check-ins, care coordination, referrals, follow-up, case closure, and required documentation.

Outreach, Engagement, and Community Partnerships

• Conduct outreach, recruitment, and engagement activities with TGNCNB community members.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and other partners that offer gender-affirming and culturally responsive services.
• Support participant engagement and retention through timely follow-up, reminder calls, missed appointment outreach, and rescheduling support.
• Represent the program professionally during outreach events, community activities, trainings, and partner meetings.

Intake, Group-Level Interventions, and Program Support

• Assist with screening and intake sessions for potential program participants.
• Support intake appointment scheduling, rescheduling, follow-up, and coordination with the Intake Specialist and Prevention Programs team.
• Assist with the facilitation of group-level interventions, including Evolution, Train the Trainer, Seeking Safety, and other approved program interventions.
• Administer surveys, gather participant data, and support participant database maintenance.
• Assist with event planning, logistics, and other program activities that support grant deliverables and participant engagement.

Documentation, Compliance, and Team Coordination

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation of all services in TREAT/AIRS and any other required systems.
• Track participant services, referrals, follow-up activities, and program outcomes in accordance with agency, funder, and confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain routine communication with members of the Prevention Programs team to support coordinated and integrated service delivery.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, case conferences, supervision sessions, and professional development activities related to the scope of work.
• Follow all GMHC workplace policies and procedures, including confidentiality, documentation standards, communication protocols, workplace conduct expectations, and professional appearance guidelines.
• Support special projects and related program activities as assigned by the supervisor.

Special Skills and Knowledge

Required

• Knowledge of HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP, PEP, condoms, routine testing, and linkage to care.
• Understanding of the needs and experiences of TGNCNB communities, including barriers to affirming healthcare, prevention services, and supportive resources.
• Knowledge of community-based resources, including social services, healthcare, behavioral health, housing, benefits, and wellness supports.
• Experience providing outreach, engagement, navigation, peer support, or case management services in a community-based setting.
• Ability to communicate with participants in a respectful, affirming, confidential, and nonjudgmental manner.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and meet documentation deadlines in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, clients, community partners, and service providers.
• Commitment to confidentiality, client-centered service delivery, harm reduction, and culturally responsive care.

Preferred

• Experience working in HIV/AIDS prevention, care coordination, outreach, benefits navigation, or TGNCNB-specific programming.
• Experience supporting individuals impacted by HIV, substance use, behavioral health needs, housing instability, justice involvement, or other barriers to care.
• Familiarity with gender-affirming healthcare systems and TGNCNB-serving community organizations in New York City.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Education and Certification

Required

• High School Diploma, GED, or HSE required.

Preferred

• Additional training or certification in peer navigation, community health work, HIV prevention, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, or related service areas preferred.
• Experience in community-based HIV/AIDS prevention programming, including HIV testing, outreach, benefits navigation, TGNCNB-specific programming, or related services preferred.

Technical Skills

The ideal candidate should have the following technical competencies:

Basic to intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including:

• Outlook for email communication, scheduling, and coordination with participants, providers, and community partners.
• Word for documentation, correspondence, and program materials.
• Excel for tracking outreach, referrals, participant progress, service delivery, and program deliverables.
• PowerPoint for supporting presentations, trainings, or group-level activities, as needed.

Experience with electronic case management and documentation systems, including:

• TREAT/AIRS, eCOMPAS, AWARDS, or similar client documentation and reporting systems.
• Accurate and timely data entry to support case documentation, contract compliance, and funder reporting.
• Uploading, submitting, and tracking required participant documentation electronically.

Ability to assist participants with basic digital navigation, including:

• Completing online forms or service applications.
• Navigating portals or digital application steps.
• Supporting basic account access issues, such as password resets or portal troubleshooting.

Understanding of documentation and compliance expectations, including:

• Accurate case notes and service documentation.
• Timely submission of required forms and reports.
• Confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and other applicable privacy standards.

Work Environment & Schedule

This is a hybrid position requiring a combination of field-based, in-office, and remote work based on program needs and supervisor approval.

• Field-Based Work: Conducts outreach, recruitment, engagement, and community-based activities across New York City.
• In-Office Work: Participates in team meetings, supervision, case conferencing, intake support, documentation, reporting, and program activities at GMHC offices.
• Remote Work: Completes approved administrative, documentation, follow-up, and coordination tasks remotely as determined by the supervisor and program needs.
• Schedule: Standard schedule is determined by the supervisor based on program needs. Evening or weekend hours may be required for outreach, community events, trainings, or participant engagement activities.
• Participation in the annual AIDS Walk New York event is mandatory for all GMHC staff.

Physical Demands

While carrying out the responsibilities of this role:

• Travel & Mobility: The role requires frequent local travel throughout the five boroughs of New York City using public transportation, walking, and other standard commuting methods. The employee must be able to navigate GMHC offices, community-based settings, partner locations, outreach sites, transit stations, sidewalks, stairs, elevators, and event spaces as required. 
• Physical Activity: The role requires regular movement between work areas, outreach locations, meetings, and community events. Occasional light lifting, transporting, or carrying of outreach materials, program supplies, files, laptops, event materials, or related documents, typically up to 15 pounds, may be required. 
• Sitting/Standing: The position involves a combination of sitting, standing, and walking. The employee may sit for extended periods while completing documentation, data entry, case notes, reports, virtual meetings, and administrative tasks. The employee may also stand or walk for extended periods during outreach activities, group-level interventions, community events, and participant engagement activities. 
• Communication: Regular participation in conversations is necessary. This includes speaking and actively listening during participant interactions, intake support, outreach activities, group-level interventions, team meetings, supervision, phone calls, video meetings, and discussions with colleagues, community partners, service providers, and program participants. 
• Documentation & Technology: Requires frequent use of computers, electronic case management systems, databases, email, spreadsheets, online forms, and video conferencing platforms. The role requires the ability to listen attentively, review participant and program information, enter accurate service documentation, track referrals and follow-up activities, and maintain timely records in required systems. This often requires sustained focus, attention to detail, accuracy, and manual dexterity to write, type, and work with electronic documentation systems for extended periods. 

GMHC supports a racially and gender-diverse environment which contributes to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Working at GMHC requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the breadth of the communities that we serve. GMHC is committed to fostering an inclusive, racially, and gender-diverse workplace and seeks candidates who are dedicated to promoting equity and social justice within our community.