Mental Health Specialist

Center for Alternative•New York, NY

8h•$60,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Mental Health Specialist for the newSTART program, you will join a multidisciplinary, mission-driven team dedicated to reducing New York City’s reliance on incarceration through rapid screening and brief clinical interventions. Operating within a harm reduction and trauma-informed framework, you will manage a caseload of justice-involved individuals with complex needs—including serious mental illness and substance use disorders—to facilitate their transition into community-based services and stable housing. This role is ideal for a social justice-oriented professional (Peer credentials preferred) looking to provide recovery-oriented support while benefiting from clinical supervision and comprehensive professional development. We believe that in-person operations are the best way to serve our clients, both directly and through essential operational support. This job requires work in our offices and the community, including courthouses in Manhattan. The ideal candidate should be licensed or able to gain licensure within the first 3-6 months of employment.

Requirements

Advanced clinical degree (MSW/LMSW/LCSW; MHC-LP/LMHC).
The ideal candidate should be licensed or able to gain licensure within the first 3-6 months of employment.
2+years of experience working indirect care services with individuals with serious mental illness and criminal legal involvement.
Experienceusingevidence-based treatments for serious mental illness, substance use, and trauma, as well as understanding of gender-responsive services and the risk, need, responsivity model of criminal behavior.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse team.

Nice To Haves

Peer credentials (NYSCPS or NYSCPS-P, CRPA or CRPA-P)
Fluency in Spanish

Responsibilities

Manage caseload of20 (on average) higher risk participants with more complex presentations through culturally competent and person-centered individual and group sessions, referrals to external providers, and outreach efforts– in the office, courthouse, and community.
Conduct psychosocial assessments incorporating impact of legal circumstances to develop effective and individually tailored service plans.
Utilize Motivational Interviewing and other evidence-based approaches and techniques in service delivery.
Liaise with community-based organizations with which participants are engaged, such as treatment providers, care managers, and homeless services resources.
Complete all documentation in a timely manner.
Other duties as required by the Director, Senior Director, and CASES leadership.