COUNSELOR

Counselor

Department of Homeless Services

Location: Manhattan

Position Type: Full-time

Salary: $57,456.00 – $66,074.00

Job Description

If you are hired provisionally in the Counselor (Addiction Treatment) I title, you must take and pass the civil service exam when it becomes available to be eligible for continued employment. The New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is the largest organization in the United States dedicated to preventing and addressing homelessness. In partnership with other City Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it begins, reduces street homelessness, provide temporary shelter, and connect individuals and families to stable housing all with a focus on accountability, empathy, and equity. DHS is committed to continuous improvement and employs innovative strategies to deliver high-quality services that support a swift transition from shelter to self-sufficiency. The agency manages hundreds of facilities and operates with a large team as well as a several billion-dollar budget to meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. The Division of Shelter Intake is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the agency's Single Adult, Adult Families and Families with Children's intake and assessment sites, both directly run and contracted providers. This Division is responsible for ensuring that the City's most vulnerable population can access shelter, according to eligibility criteria, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting for one (1) Counselor (Addiction Treatment) I to function as a Counselor who will:

• Be responsible for reviewing and assessing information regarding incident(s) related to substance use.
• Evaluate client case records and monitor complaints to identify substance abusers among adult clients within the shelters; making determinations as to whether a client is eligible for services.
• Liaise on a regular basis with community substance use organizations to follow up on clients that were referred to and/or admitted to substance use treatment.
• Assess the progress of patients in the program and maintain records and files on clients' monthly activities via tracker.
• Maintain substance abuser's folders/charts by ensuring that the appropriate required documentation is present, in proper order, and submitted within deadlines.
• Prepare and provide reports, using the Client Assistance Rehousing Enterprise System (CARES) automated system, by utilizing information related to referrals.
• Hours/Schedule: 12pm x 8pm Tuesday – Saturday.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, plus two (2) years of experience in social work, employment counseling, group work, rehabilitation, counseling or related activities; or 2. A master's degree or 30 credits of graduate study in sociology, psychology, vocational guidance, counseling, group work, rehabilitation or related fields, and one (1) year of experience as described above; or 3. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree or be certified as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Requirements for Assignment Level II For Assignment Level II, in addition to meeting the qualification requirements above, one (1) additional year of the experience described in "1" above is required. Requirements for Assignment Level III For Assignment Level III, in addition to meeting the qualification required above, two (2) additional years of the experience described in "1" above is required.

Preferred Skills

- Must have a NYS License – LMSW or LCSW. - Excellent organizational skills, the ability to prioritize and manage multiple program interests, with attention to detail. - Good skills in development of reports and using data to inform prioritization. - Have experience working in the field.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.