Recovery Specialist

Recovery Specialist

The Recovery Specialist (Recovery Support Staff) maintains the daily structure and routine of the treatment community, closely observing client behavior and progress and ensuring that all groups and scheduled activities run as planned. This role serves as the eyes and ears of the community, supporting therapeutic goals by monitoring client engagement, documenting key events, and communicating effectively with counselors and treatment staff.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and closely supervise all floor and dayroom activities to ensure a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
• Ensure all group sessions and activity schedules are followed and that clients are present and engaged as required.
• Facilitate and/or actively participate in meetings to support program operations and client care.
• Communicate all incidents, concerns, and notable client behaviors promptly to the appropriate supervisor.
• Provide timely and accurate feedback to primary counselors and other treatment staff regarding client progress and behavior.
• Collect all medical documents when clients return from appointments and deliver them to the staff on duty or facility nurse, or file them appropriately when necessary.
• Collect medical cards upon clients' return from appointments, ensure all follow-up actions are completed, and update the primary counselor and facility nurse as needed.
• Record and schedule follow-up appointments on the calendar and ensure all related information is communicated to relevant staff.
• Witness and accurately log clients' urine screenings, maintaining confidentiality and adherence to established procedures.
• Observe and document readings from alcohol sensors (Breathalyzers) in accordance with agency protocols.
• Enforce agency policies and procedures consistently to maintain program integrity and client safety.
• Perform data entry and collection tasks related to client records, appointments, and monitoring activities.
• Maintain regular attendance and reliability to support continuity of care and program operations.
• Collaborate with treatment staff to support therapeutic community dynamics, procedures, and concepts.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients and staff, demonstrating strong customer service and interpersonal skills.

Essential Skills

• Experience working with individuals who have substance use disorders and/or mental health conditions.
• Understanding of therapeutic community dynamics, procedures, and concepts within a treatment setting.
• Ability to monitor and supervise client activities in common areas, ensuring safety and adherence to program rules.
• Strong customer service skills, including patience, empathy, and professionalism when interacting with clients.
• Basic health care awareness relevant to supporting clients in a treatment environment.
• Ability to perform accurate data entry and maintain organized records related to client care and monitoring.
• Attention to detail in collecting, handling, and filing medical documents and medical cards.
• Ability to witness, observe, and accurately log urine screenings and Breathalyzer readings in accordance with protocol.
• Strong communication skills, including clear verbal communication and effective written documentation.
• Good problem-solving skills to respond appropriately to incidents, client needs, and changes in daily routines.
• Organizational skills to manage schedules, appointments, and documentation efficiently.
• Ability to sit for approximately six hours per day as required by the role.
• Commitment to enforcing agency policies and procedures consistently.
• Reliability in maintaining regular attendance and fulfilling assigned shifts.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a residential or community-based treatment setting is highly beneficial.
• Prior exposure to working in environments serving substance abusers and/or individuals with mental illness.
• Familiarity with therapeutic community models and structured program routines.
• Comfort working with monitoring tools such as urine screening processes and alcohol sensors (Breathalyzers).
• Strong writing skills for clear incident reports and progress notes.
• Ability to adapt to a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with counselors, nurses, and other treatment staff.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills to build rapport and maintain professional boundaries with clients.

Work Environment

This role operates within a structured therapeutic community setting focused on recovery and behavioral health. The Recovery Specialist spends significant time in client common areas such as floors and dayrooms, actively supervising activities and group participation. The position involves regular interaction with counselors, nursing staff, and other treatment professionals, as well as consistent contact with clients in various stages of recovery. Work includes handling medical documents and cards, performing data entry, and using monitoring tools such as urine screening procedures and alcohol sensors (Breathalyzers). The environment requires adherence to clear policies and procedures and a strong commitment to safety and structure. The schedule may be flexible, with the expectation of working some evenings, weekends, and holidays, and the role requires the ability to sit for extended periods while also moving throughout the facility as needed. Dress is typically professional and appropriate for a healthcare and treatment setting, reflecting respect for clients and alignment with agency standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Queens, NY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $21.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Queens, NY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.