Recovery Specialist

Episcopal Community Services (ECS)•San Francisco, CA

9d•$32 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

The Recovery Specialist provides rehabilitative, therapeutic, and strengths-based case management services to formerly homeless adults who may experience substance use disorders, mental health conditions, physical health challenges, and other impacts of poverty and homelessness. Working as part of a broader wraparound housing support services team, the specialist provides outreach, engagement, recovery support, and counseling to residents on an assigned caseload. This is a fully onsite, client-facing role at ECS program locations; remote work is not available. The role uses trauma-informed, relational engagement focused on trust, empathy, authenticity, and respect. The Recovery Specialist supports residents in identifying goals, building resilience, pursuing long-term recovery, and achieving greater independence and housing stability. The position also serves as a team lead on substance use disorder issues, providing education and recovery-related support to tenants and staff, and connecting tenants with community treatment resources. The work may be stressful, demanding, or unpredictable. Employees are expected to use sound judgment, remain aware of their surroundings, follow safety, communication, and de-escalation procedures, complete required trainings, and promptly report incidents, threats, injuries, or unsafe conditions. The position requires a CADACC I or II credential, at least two years of experience providing substance recovery services, and the ability to meet the position’s physical requirements. ECS offers industry-leading healthcare benefits and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

CADACC I or II credential required.
At least 2 years of experience providing substance recovery services required.
Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with teams.
Understanding of Housing First, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and Relapse Prevention Therapy.
Familiarity with substance use treatment systems and behavioral health resources throughout San Francisco.
Ability to engage people with complex behavioral health needs, including substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health or chronic medical conditions, respectfully and in a trauma-informed, nonjudgmental manner.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Strong skills in completing assessments, service plans, and case notes.
Experience with de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms; ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business applications.
Cultural sensitivity and humility, including the ability to engage in open dialogue and self-exploration with diverse groups.
Ability to build rapport and engage participants who are difficult to serve, including individuals with disabilities or experiencing homelessness, using a strengths-based approach that promotes hope and self-determination.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and sound judgment when handling sensitive information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.
Must secure finger image screening and annual TB screening.
Must be able to meet physical requirements, which may include long periods at a desk, daily travel to various sites, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
Must be able to work in multi-level buildings with stairs and/or ramps and in program service environments, including housing units or tenants’ residences, program offices, and non-agency offices and meeting areas.

Responsibilities

Provide trauma-informed case management, rehabilitative services, recovery support, and counseling using a relational engagement approach.
Build strengths-based relationships that empower residents to identify goals, build resilience, support recovery, and work toward independence and housing stability.
Conduct intake interviews and assessments on residents’ move-in day, reviewing and documenting health status, psychosocial and financial status, substance use and housing history, and other relevant needs.
Use Motivational Interviewing to explore substance use, encourage reduction, support movement toward abstinence, and provide relapse-prevention services.
Serve as a team lead on substance use disorder issues and provide psychoeducation to tenants and staff on substance use, recovery, relapse prevention, overdose prevention, harm reduction, and wellness planning.
Develop and facilitate weekly recovery-focused groups and activities on topics including relapse prevention, recovery support, coping skills, wellness education, and peer support through a Harm Reduction lens.
Build relationships with community agencies providing outpatient, residential, and medication-assisted treatment services, and help tenants access and engage with those services.
Develop service plans and collaborate with tenants on individualized recovery goals; monitor, document, and regularly update progress according to agency standards and timelines.
Provide outreach and support to each assigned resident at least monthly and respond to indicators of risk of harm, need for crisis intervention, or possible housing jeopardy.
Assess residents’ eligibility for benefits and entitlements and assist them with applications and enrollment.
Support planned program exits through discharge planning and referrals for case management, housing, food, clothing, medical treatment, detox, and other appropriate services.
Help tenants identify barriers to service engagement and develop problem-solving strategies.
Advocate for residents with Property Management regarding issues that may jeopardize housing; under the SSM’s direction, work with Property Management to avoid eviction when possible.
Maintain accurate, timely, confidential, and professional documentation, including case notes, outreach letters, service plans, recertifications, and other required paperwork.
Participate in twice-weekly building tenant Wellness Checks and subsequent Emergency Safety Checks as necessary.
Provide backup coverage for other case managers as directed by the SSM.
Attend required meetings and case conferences and perform additional duties as assigned.
Follow program, funder, and organizational policies and procedures; communicate effectively and model integrity, fairness, and ethical business practices.
Complete required trainings and promptly report incidents, threats, injuries, or unsafe conditions.