Behavioral Health Specialist - ICM

NYC Criminal Justice Agency • New York, NY

20d • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist is part of the Clinical Services Department with Queens Supervised Release and reports to the Clinical Supervisor. The role provides community-based support to high-risk, high-needs clients who require a support team able to meet them wherever they are in New York City. The department supports behavioral health, recovery, and rehabilitation, delivering responsive, high-quality care to clients who can be served in the community.

The specialist screens and assesses clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, contributes to treatment planning, and provides individualized interventions, including CBT techniques, crisis intervention, and de-escalation. The role also supports clients through the criminal legal and shelter systems and connects them with medical care, entitlements, employment and vocational services, housing, life-skills training, and other community supports. Work is collaborative, strengths-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive.

This is an in-person, client-facing position based in Queens, with travel throughout New York City’s five boroughs. The regular schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 1–9 p.m., including weekend and night shifts. Occasional flexible hours are required for client visits at homes or community locations. The listed salary is $76,724.33.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience working with clients with needs involving mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal justice involvement.
• Alternative qualification: For candidates without a bachelor’s degree, five years of experience working with the specified client needs plus a CASAC.
• Alternative qualification: Candidates without a CASAC must have six years of experience working with the specified client needs plus a CASAC-T.
• Highly organized, able to prioritize multiple tasks, and effective in deadline-driven environments.
• Able to work independently and carry out directives with minimal supervision.
• Solution-driven, hands-on approach to resolving challenges, using critical thinking, common sense, and creativity.
• Attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies when entering or proofreading case notes.
• Ability to handle client engagement, feedback, questions, and complaints with tact and professionalism.
• Confident, approachable interpersonal style and ability to break down barriers to connecting with clients.
• Clear and concise written communication for clients, partners, and colleagues.
• Adaptability and a positive outlook in changing situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to adapt quickly to a customized case management system created in Microsoft Dynamics.
• Ability to work in person five days a week.
• Ability to work the regular Tuesday–Saturday, 1–9 p.m. schedule, including weekends and night shifts, and occasionally work flexible hours for client visits.
• Ability to travel throughout the five boroughs for client engagement and partner meetings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in multidisciplinary settings and field-based clinical work, including knowledge of or established relationships with Queens community organizations and social services.
• Strong commitment to social justice and CJA’s mission and core values.
• CASAC, CASAC-T, or other substance use or mental health certifications, such as certified professional counselor, certified alcohol and drug counselor (ADC), or a behavioral health certificate.
• Lived experience in recovery from a mental health condition or substance use disorder, or experience with homelessness, the NYC shelter system, or the criminal legal system.
• Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Screen and assess clients for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders using appropriate tools and interdisciplinary consultations.
• Provide individualized interventions for problematic behaviors, including CBT, crisis intervention, and de-escalation, to prevent or manage crises.
• Engage clients persistently and observe their progress, ongoing needs, and behavior.
• Assist with developing and implementing treatment plans to address behavioral issues.
• Advocate for and liaise with clients in the criminal legal and shelter systems, and support them throughout treatment.
• Communicate with clients and, where applicable, caregivers, teachers, and families; educate families about clients’ conditions and treatment plans.
• Help clients secure medical care, entitlements, and community supports that promote integrated physical and mental health, safety, wellbeing, and recovery.
• Provide or connect clients with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, housing applications and placement, and life-skills training.
• Complete assessments and maintain timely, accurate progress notes in accordance with best practices for sensitive records retention and storage.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including hospitals, shelters, and primary care coordinators, to support engagement and positive outcomes.
• Deliver services in a strengths-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive manner.
• Communicate respectfully with colleagues and clients, recognizing diverse identities, expertise, lived experiences, and needs to promote collaboration and client outcomes.
• Answer questions about services and make appropriate referrals to resources for clients and community members.
• Ensure clients receive timely attention and support through careful inquiry and evidence-based tools.
• Use goal-based interventions to support behavioral change and reinforce clients’ self-efficacy.
• Guide clients through treatment plans and behavior change, recognize positive changes, and encourage continued progress.
• Communicate and collaborate with mobile team members about client needs, goals, and appropriate next steps.
• Support development and implementation of standard operating procedures and suggest improvements or modifications as needed.
• Travel within the five boroughs for client engagement and meetings with community partners.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Comprehensive mental health and wellness plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Four weeks’ vacation
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Professional learning and development opportunities, including web-based and in-person training, partnerships and vendor services, and in-house job training and development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level