Substance Use Counselor

Compensation Range: $55,000 - $78,000 yearly commensurate with experience and credentialling. Benefits: We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer an educational benefit for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and textbooks. Overview: This is a grant funded position with our MOCJ (Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice) Hotels for the provision of therapeutic services to the formerly incarcerated population in a transition housing setting. Housing Works is seeking an experienced Substance Use Counselor (CASAC and/or LMSW) to provide on-site, trauma-informed, and harm‑reduction oriented services to justice‑involved individuals transitioning from incarceration to the community. The counselor will deliver integrated substance use and mental health (dual diagnosis) treatment, with a strong focus on re‑entry stabilization, engagement, and continuity of care. Responsibilities Clinical Services & Support: Provide individual counseling focused on substance use disorders and co‑occurring mental health conditions, utilizing evidence‑informed, trauma‑responsive, and culturally responsive approaches. Facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups addressing substance use, mental health symptoms, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, coping skills, and re‑entry related challenges. Conduct comprehensive bio‑psychosocial and substance use assessments, including evaluation of re‑entry risks, legal involvement, and barriers to care. Deliver crisis intervention services related to substance use, mental health decompensation, trauma responses, or behavioral concerns; consult with supervisors and complete required incident documentation. Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Develop and implement integrated treatment plans, in conjunction with the Case Managers, that address both substance use and mental health needs in collaboration with interdisciplinary providers. Support residents with co‑occurring disorders through coordinated care and conferencing with psychiatry, psychotherapy, primary care, and case management. Utilize a harm reduction framework, meeting clients where they are and supporting safer use, stabilization, and self‑determined goals. Care Coordination & Systems Navigation: Coordinate referrals and linkages to detoxification, inpatient and outpatient treatment, medication‑assisted treatment (MAT), mental health services, and recovery supports. Collaborate with internal and external partners, including re‑entry programs, medical providers, and behavioral health teams, to support continuity of care. Participate in case conferences and interdisciplinary meetings, particularly during periods of elevated risk. Documentation, Compliance & Team Participation: Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation in accordance with HIPAA, MOCJ, and Housing Works standards. Participate in program meetings, supervision, trainings, and quality assurance activities. Communicate proactively with team members to ensure resident safety, engagement, and treatment continuity. All documentation and case notes are to be completed within 48 hours of interaction. Other Duties: Attend weekly team meetings. Partakes of one‑hour weekly supervision and maintain ongoing clinical communication with supervisor. Participate in continuing training and certifications as required. Maintain compliance with HIPAA, corporate compliance, and program guidelines. Attendance of in‑service trainings required. Requirements Required: CASAC certification and/or LMSW required. LMSW must be from an accredited institution of higher learning with current NYS licensure or possess a permit from the New York State Education Department. Minimum of Associate’s degree from an accredited institution. At least one year of experience providing substance use counseling; experience with co‑occurring mental health disorders strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience working with justice‑involved populations, individuals re‑entering the community after incarceration, or populations with complex psychosocial needs. Preferred: Two or more years of experience providing services to individuals with substance use disorders, serious mental illness, and/or HIV/AIDS. Experience working with justice‑involved populations, individuals recently released from incarceration, or residents in transitional or supportive housing. Experience in harm reduction, recovery‑oriented, and trauma‑informed care settings. Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast‑paced environment. Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. #J-18808-Ljbffr