Recovery Engagement Specialist (Pool/PRN)

About the role

Connections Health Solutions is a mission-driven organization redefining behavioral health crisis care. As a Recovery Engagement Specialist at the RESET Center in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, you will provide immediate-access, compassionate, trauma-informed care to individuals who are publicly intoxicated and would otherwise be transported to the emergency department or jail. This role is ideal for someone who values lived experience—such as homelessness, recovery, incarceration, harm reduction engagement, or substance use—and wants to make a meaningful impact in a supportive, multidisciplinary team environment.

What You’ll Do

• Participant Support & Monitoring
  • Take participant vital signs as delegated per protocol.
  • Monitor participants throughout the sobering process, ensuring adherence to guidelines and general well-being.
  • Respond promptly to participant needs and requests with empathy, patience, and excellent customer service.
  • Provide snacks, hydration, blankets, and other comfort measures to support safe sobering.
  • Observe participant behavior and condition, completing required observation logs, rounds, and milieu documentation accurately and in real time.
  • Identify escalating or unsafe behavior and promptly notify supervisory or clinical team members.
• Engagement & Relationship Building
  • Engage participants in supportive, compassionate, and non-judgmental ways, with respect for their individual experience and autonomy.
  • Leverage personal or lived experience (where comfortable) to build trust, foster rapport, and demonstrate understanding of recovery and harm reduction pathways.
• Environment & Safety
  • Support safety and calm tone within the center through trauma-informed communication and de-escalation techniques.
  • Assist with environmental cleanliness and sanitation, ensuring all spaces are organized, hygienic, and supportive of a dignified participant experience.
  • Work collaboratively with other team members—including health workers, safety monitors, peers, and supervisors—to maintain an orderly, non-judgmental environment.
• Training & Development
  • Participate in ongoing training and development opportunities, including:
    • Motivational interviewing
    • Effects of alcohol and other substances
    • Trauma-informed service delivery
    • Crisis and de-escalation practices
    • Customer service and team-based care
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.
  • Maintain proficiency with evolving program protocols and standards of care.

Earn More with Shift Differentials

• Additional Hourly Pay:
  • +$2/hr → Monday–Thursday Nights
  • +$3/hr → Friday–Sunday Nights
  • +$2/hr → Saturday–Sunday Days

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with diverse populations including:
  • Individuals experiencing substance use and intoxication
  • People living with homelessness or housing instability
  • Individuals impacted by the criminal legal system
  • People experiencing mental health crises
• Familiarity with:
  • Harm reduction
  • Restorative and recovery-oriented practice
  • Trauma-informed care
• Must obtain Overdose Prevention and Narcan Administration training within 30 days of hire.
• Basic computer literacy, including the ability to document in an electronic health record (EHR).
• Ability to obtain and accurately record vital signs.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to complete documentation in a timely manner.
• Ability to successfully complete Basic Life Support (BLS) certification during the first week of employment.
• The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

It would be great if you have two or more of the following:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Certification and 2 years’ experience working in crisis, detox, or treatment environments
• Crisis De-Escalation Training certification
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• Emergency or field-based work experience
• Lived experience with substance use, recovery, homelessness, or incarceration is highly valued and actively welcomed.

Benefits

• Full-time only: Employees (and their families) are offered comprehensive health insurance, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity.
• CHS pays for Basic Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability.
• Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families.
• Health Savings Accounts (with $1,000 to $2,000 employer contribution depending on plan).
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care, dependent care, and commuter benefits for eligible transportation expenses).
• 401k company match after 6 months (50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation).
• Generous PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays.
• Company-paid parental leave available to eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support.
• After 90 days, you are auto enrolled in the 401k Plan.

Connections Health Solutions is proud to be a Second Chance employer.