Substance Use Specialist
About The Position
The newSTART program seeks a recovery-oriented Substance Use Specialist with experience delivering co-occurring substance use treatment to adults with mental illness. The ideal candidate is mission-driven, skilled in motivational interviewing, and committed to assertive outreach, engagement, and stage-wise interventions that support readiness for change. Candidates dedicated to social justice, public safety, and innovative approaches that reduce crime and incarceration while improving health outcomes will excel in this role. CASES Short-term Alternatives and Referrals to Treatment (newSTART) program is a short-term alternative-to-incarceration initiative that provides individual and group cognitive-behavioral interventions, comprehensive case management, and connections to treatment for adults facing misdemeanor jail sentences in New York County Criminal Court. The program serves individuals with frequent low-level convictions as well as those at risk of short jail stays, many of whom experience significant behavioral health and social-service needs.
Requirements
- CASAC, CASAC-T, MSW, MHC, and/or five (5) or more years of direct experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, mental health counseling, or related fields.
Nice To Haves
- Fluency in Spanish
- Experience with justice-involved individuals and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
- Strong organizational and independent work skills.
- Proficiency with computers and electronic documentation systems.
Responsibilities
- Complete comprehensive substance uses assessments aligned with participants’ stage of change.
- Identify appropriate integrated treatment services and recommend treatment objectives for individualized program plans.
- Facilitate evidence-based groups addressing substance use and related topics.
- Link participants to community-based substance use treatment providers.
- Collaborate with social supports, care managers, housing providers, and education/employment programs.
- Collaborate with team members to support participant service plans.
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation in the electronic database.
- Provide individual counseling using motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and relapse-prevention strategies.
- Advocate for participants in securing emergency detoxification and rehabilitation placements.
- Deliver culturally competent services aligned with CASES policies.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days
- 12 Paid Holidays per year
- Retirement 403(b) Competitive matching up to 6%
- Employee Referral Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
