Residential Specialist

Liberty Resources, Inc. • Auburn, NY

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Liberty Resources is hiring Per Diem Residential Specialists for its Cayuga Crisis Residence Program. The community-based respite homes provide a therapeutic, home-like environment for adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Staff support guests with the goal of stabilizing a crisis, helping them return safely to their communities, and reducing unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

The Crisis Intervention Residential Specialist supports individuals whose daily-life challenges put them at risk of escalating symptoms that cannot be managed in their home and community environment. Using the Need Adapted Treatment Model, the specialist provides health and wellness coaching, relapse prevention planning, wellness activities, family support, conflict resolution, and other services as needed. Services are recovery-oriented and incorporate Need Adapted Treatment and Motivational Interviewing.

The program operates crisis residences in Syracuse, Oneida, Oswego, and Auburn. The position offers a home-like setting, a relaxed atmosphere, varied work hours, mentorship and entry-level experience with opportunities for growth in the agency, and Peer Certification hours. The stated hours are evenings and weekends, with overnight coverage required as reflected in the staffing plan. The starting rate is $20.00 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and 1–3 years of relevant experience working with people with mental health or chemical dependency disorders, or a bachelor's degree.
• A student or intern in a NYS Department of Health-approved education department program, a Licensed Practical Nurse, or a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Counselor (CASAC) also qualifies.
• Respect for and a high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis.
• Ability to use critical thinking, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills to help create and maintain an environment that promotes recovery.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model.

Responsibilities

• Teach individuals to view crises differently and use wellness tools to prevent future crises or reduce their intensity.
• Work with Health Homes, hospitals, and treatment providers to develop integrated plans of care covering mental health, physical health, substance abuse services, and community supports.
• Provide advocacy, supportive counseling, referrals, and linkage services to program guests as needed and as assigned by the Program Director.
• Provide recovery-oriented services incorporating Need Adapted Treatment and Motivational Interviewing.
• Provide program coverage according to the staffing plan, including overnights as required.
• Complete required documentation within program timelines and standards.

Benefits

• Home-like setting
• Relaxed atmosphere
• Variety of work hours
• Mentorship and entry-level experience with opportunities for growth in the agency
• Peer Certification hours

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED