Community Support Navigator

Volunteers of America of Massachusetts•Lawrence, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

VOAMASS is hiring a full-time, on-site Community Support Navigator to provide community-based case management, care coordination, and recovery support to people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, homelessness or housing instability, and justice involvement. The role supports VOAMASS Community Support Programs and the Essex Medication Re-Entry Grant Expansion (EMRGE2), connecting participants with behavioral health treatment, recovery services, housing, employment, healthcare, and other essential resources. The Navigator provides specialized re-entry support to individuals transitioning from Essex County correctional facilities. This includes developing individualized re-entry plans and coordinating services before and after release in collaboration with correctional staff, clinicians, program leadership, and community partners. The role helps reduce barriers to care, promote recovery and independence, and support successful community reintegration. The position involves flexible, mobile services at correctional facilities, VOAMASS offices, residential programs, community locations, courts, housing appointments, and other appropriate settings. Telehealth may be provided case by case. The role requires travel to multiple locations and a flexible schedule to meet participant needs. Pay is $58,000 per year.

Requirements

At least two years of experience working with social service organizations, including experience with multiple levels of care, service coordination, and referrals.
Excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, healthcare administration, or a related human services field.
Experience or familiarity with correctional facilities, justice-involved populations, re-entry services, and supporting individuals transitioning from incarceration to the community.
Knowledge of system navigation, community-based resources, behavioral health and substance use treatment, and re-entry support services in Massachusetts.

Responsibilities

Maintain a mixed caseload of Community Support Program participants, including up to 30–40 participants transitioning from Essex County correctional facilities into the community.
Provide intensive, individualized case management, care coordination, and community-based support to individuals experiencing mental health conditions, substance use or co-occurring disorders, homelessness, housing instability, or justice involvement.
Engage incarcerated individuals before release to assess needs, identify barriers, establish goals, and develop re-entry and transition plans.
Provide post-release case management and follow-up for up to six months, helping participants achieve goals, overcome barriers, and remain engaged in treatment, recovery, and community support services.
Conduct screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluations, including assisting with diagnostic evaluations and administering required tools such as ORAS, CAAPE-5, and MSDP after appropriate training.
Develop, implement, and regularly update Wellness Plans, re-entry plans, and service goals with participants, addressing needs such as behavioral health, recovery, housing, employment, education, healthcare, and independent living.
Help participants access and coordinate primary care, mental health and substance use treatment, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), recovery support, housing assistance, employment and workforce development, transportation, public benefits, and other social supports.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with correctional facilities, probation and parole departments, courts, community providers, and criminal justice partners to coordinate re-entry and continuity of care.
Provide flexible, mobile services in appropriate settings, with telehealth available on a case-by-case basis consistent with participant needs and program requirements.
Document services appropriately and ensure alignment with program eligibility, insurance billing requirements, and grant funding guidelines.
Maintain a flexible schedule and travel to multiple locations to provide timely, responsive services.
Perform other related duties supporting VOAMASS's integrated care model, community support services, and re-entry programming.

Benefits

Health, vision, and dental insurance; employer pays 90% of the medical deductible and certain co-pays.
Pre-tax savings options for healthcare, childcare, transit, and parking.
403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
24/7 nurse hotline.
Employee assistance program.
Employer-paid long-term disability and life insurance.
Pet insurance.
Tuition remission programs.
Loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Vacation starting at three weeks and increasing to four weeks after three years of employment.
14 paid holidays.
Fitness and wellness reimbursement, including expenses such as gym membership.
Employee discount program.
Cash bonus for referring qualified employment candidates, with no annual cap.