Residential Specialist

Liberty Resources • Auburn, NY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Liberty Resources is seeking a Residential Support Specialist for its community-based Crisis Respite residences in Syracuse, Oneida, Oswego, and Auburn. These homes provide a therapeutic environment for adults experiencing a mental health crisis, with support services aligned with the Peer Support Model. The model emphasizes compassion, empathy, person-driven care, empowerment, and hope. Services include health and wellness coaching, recurrence prevention planning, wellness activities, family support, conflict resolution, and referrals and linkage services. The goal is to stabilize crises, support guests’ safe return to their communities, and help prevent unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Residential Specialists work with residents experiencing mental health challenges to help them achieve their recovery goals. They provide recovery-oriented services using peer support, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed and responsive care, and work with an interdisciplinary team and other treatment providers to support residents’ success in the community. The role includes coverage that may involve overnights, warm-line responsibilities, and maintaining the residence. The position is per diem, with weekend and/or overnight hours available. The starting rate is $20.00 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• One to three years of volunteer or work experience in the behavioral healthcare field, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 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 create and maintain an environment that promotes recovery.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to incorporate that understanding into service provision.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• One to three years of volunteer or work experience in the behavioral healthcare field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial assessments and screenings.
• Teach guests to view crises differently and use wellness tools to prevent future crises or reduce their intensity.
• Coordinate with Health Homes programs, hospitals, and other treatment providers to develop an integrated plan of care covering mental health, physical health, substance use, and community support services.
• Provide advocacy, support, referral, and linkage services to residents as needed and as assigned by the Program Coordinator.
• Provide recovery-oriented services incorporating Peer Support, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed and responsive care.
• Provide program coverage according to the staffing plan, including overnights as required.
• Rotate warm-line responsibilities with other staff and/or make follow-up calls.
• Function as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Act as a role model for residents.
• Ensure the residence is maintained and clean.

Benefits

• Home-like setting.
• Relaxed atmosphere.
• Flexible work hours.
• Mentorship and entry-level experience, with ability for growth within the agency.
• Peer Certification hours offered.

What This Job Offers

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