Behavioral Health Specialist - ICM

About the role

Join our team of professionals seeking to improve the experience of justice involved individuals in the NYC Courts!

Primary Responsibilities

• Screen and assess clients for the treatment of co-occurring substance use and MH disorders through application of appropriate tools and methods combined with participation in interdisciplinary team consultations.
• Provide individualized intervention for problematic behaviors using techniques such as CBT therapy, crisis intervention, and de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
• Persistent engagement and continued observation to help assess client’s improvements and/or ongoing needs or behavior.
• Aid in developing and implementing treatment plans to address behavioral issues.
• Advocate and liaise for clients within the criminal legal and/or shelter system and support them throughout the treatment process.
• Communicates with client, client caregivers, teachers, and/or families (if applicable). Educates families to support implementation of treatment plans and help them understand their loved one’s condition.
• Assist clients in securing medical care, entitlement and other community support that promote integrated physical and mental health, safety, wellbeing, and recovery.
• Provide or connect clients with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, completion of housing applications and placement, and provision of life skills training.
• Complete assessments and maintain accurate progress notes in a timely manner using best practices for records retention and document storage of sensitive information.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, such as hospitals, shelters, and primary care coordinators to achieve consistent engagement and positive client outcomes.
• Provide services in a strengths-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive manner.

Client Centered Management and Communication

• Communicates with staff comprised of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines in a respectful manner that acknowledges differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.
• Communicates with clients of diverse populations, needs and experiences in the justice system and other institutions in a respectful manner that acknowledges lived experiences and creates connection.
• Answers questions about our services in an informed and well-resourced way and directs clients and community members to resources by making appropriate referrals.
• Ensure that clients are being attended to and supported in a timely manner, through careful inquiry and the use of evidence-based tools.

Influencing and Motivating

• Ability to work intensively with clients using goal-based interventions to create behavioral changes.
• Support the client’s self-efficacy by reinforcing their power to make the changes that they want.
• Guides client through the treatment plan and behavior change process; recognize/acknowledge the positive changes that are made and continue encouraging behavioral changes along the way.
• Clearly and concisely communicates effectively with other members of the mobile team to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required and minimum of two years’ experience working with clients who have needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal justice involvement.
• Alternate Requirement: Candidates without a Bachelor’s Degree must have 5 years' experience working with clients who have needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal justice involvement plus a CASAC
• Candidates without a CASAC must have 6 years of experience working with clients who have needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal justice involvement plus a CASAC-T

Other Desired Qualifications & Experience

• Experience in a multidisciplinary setting and field-based clinical work that includes knowledge or established relationships with Queens based community organizations and social services.
• Strong commitment to social justice and CJA’s mission and core values.
• Certifications as CASAC, CASAC-T, or other SU or MH certifications preferred (i.e., certified professional counselor, certified alcohol, and drug counselor (ADC) or behavioral health certificate).
• Individuals with lived experience in recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or both, or experience with homelessness or the NYC shelter system, or the criminal legal system, are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to support the development and implementation of standard operating procedures; suggesting improvements or modifications as needed.
• Fluency in Spanish a plus

Required Skills

• Organization and Critical Thinking Skills
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Technical Skills

Hours & Scheduling Expectations

This is a visible role with direct client-facing responsibilities engaging with clients, staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess the required qualifications and skills, and the ability to work in-person 5 days a week.

HOURS: Tues-Sat 1-9PM

• To provide optimal coverage for client engagement, regularly scheduled workweeks will include weekends and night shifts.
• Flex hours will be occasionally required to perform client visits either in their homes, or at community-based locations.
• Travel within the 5 boroughs required for client engagement or meetings with community partners.

Location

QUEENS, NY

Salary

$74,489.64

Benefits

CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plan, four weeks’ vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions. CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development.

CJA Values

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention.
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention.

EEO Statement

CJA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.