CASAC-Outreach and Recovery Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Reports To: Program Supervisor

Location: White Plains, NY

Hours Per Week: 35 
FLSA Status:  Full-time, Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $50,000 annually

Join Us! Join us at Greater Mental Health of New York, where our mission is to promote mental wellness through advocacy, community education, and direct services. We empower individuals and families on their unique journeys to recovery, honoring their rights to self-determination, choice, and collaboration. With evidence-based practices and a focus on trauma-responsive care, our dedicated team provides comprehensive services to thousands and fosters independence and resilience within our community. If you're passionate about making a difference in mental health and creating brighter futures for individuals and families throughout the Lower Hudson Valley region, apply today!

Benefits Summary

• Retirement: 403(b)-with employer contribution after 1 year of service
• Flexible Work Arrangements: subject to business needs, including hybrid options.
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off-15 days per year
• Paid sick time-12 days per year
• Employer paid Holidays-11 days per year
• Professional Development: Opportunities for advancement, training programs, and support for certifications and continuing education.
• Additional Perks: Free EAP services and employee discounts (travel, hotels, movie tickets, theme parks, services, electronics, auto, shopping, and more)!
• Gym reimbursement through employer's medical insurance carrier.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): qualifying employer

Summary Description :  The CASAC   Outreach and Recovery Specialist is responsible for providing community outreach, engagement, screening, brief intervention, recovery support, and linkage to treatment for individuals affected by or at risk for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and co-occurring disorders (COD). Working as part of the State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant initiative, the CASAC engages individuals in community settings and assists them in identifying appropriate treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and supportive services. The position utilizes evidence-based engagement strategies, including Motivational Interviewing and SBIRT, to reduce barriers to care and facilitate connections to appropriate levels of treatment and community resources.

Key Responsibilities :

• Conduct community outreach and engagement activities throughout Westchester County to identify and engage individuals affected by or at risk for OUD, SUD, and co-occurring disorders.
• Conduct substance use screenings and assessments within the CASAC's scope of practice to identify individual needs and appropriate referrals.
• Utilize evidence-based approaches including Motivational Interviewing, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), harm reduction, and person-centered engagement strategies.
• Provide brief interventions and education regarding substance use, overdose prevention, treatment options, recovery supports, and harm reduction resources.
• Assist individuals with accessing appropriate levels of substance use disorder treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, withdrawal management, residential, inpatient, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and other recovery services.
• Facilitate warm handoffs and follow-up with individuals referred to treatment and recovery services to promote successful engagement.
• Provide care coordination, system navigation, and linkage to behavioral health, medical, housing, social service, recovery, and other community-based supports as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Peer Specialists/CRPAs, Care Managers, clinical staff, and other SOR Outreach and Recovery Specialists to coordinate services and address barriers to treatment.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with hospitals, emergency departments, shelters, recovery organizations, criminal justice agencies, schools, libraries, community organizations, healthcare providers, and other community partners.
• Participate in community outreach events, health fairs, educational events, tabling opportunities, and other activities designed to increase awareness of available SUD and OUD resources.
• Provide or facilitate access to overdose prevention education, naloxone/Narcan training, and harm reduction resources consistent with agency procedures and grant requirements.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation of outreach contacts, screenings, interventions, referrals, linkages, and other services provided.
• Maintain required SOR grant tracking information and assist with collection of data necessary to demonstrate grant activities, outcomes, and deliverables.
• Participate in individual supervision, team meetings, case consultation, training, and grant-related activities.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical standards in accordance with agency policy and applicable federal and New York State requirements.
• Perform any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization’s values.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Key Competencies : 

• Knowledge of substance use disorders, opioid use disorder, co-occurring disorders, treatment systems, recovery services, and harm reduction principles.

• Knowledge of evidence-based substance use interventions, including Motivational Interviewing and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).

• Ability to effectively engage individuals who may be ambivalent about treatment or not currently connected to behavioral health services.

• Ability to provide culturally responsive, person-centered, trauma-informed, and nonjudgmental services.

• Strong community engagement, communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with community providers and referral partners.

• Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and other required data-tracking systems.

• Strong organizational, documentation, time-management, and follow-up skills.

• Ability to work independently in community settings while functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Digital competence, literacy, problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) :

• Consistently conducts community outreach activities in accordance with SOR grant goals and assigned program expectations.

• Engages individuals affected by or at risk for OUD/SUD and facilitates appropriate connections to treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.

• Completes required screenings, brief interventions, referrals, and follow-up activities.

• Demonstrates successful referral and linkage of individuals to appropriate treatment and community-based services.

• Develops and maintains productive relationships with community providers and referral sources.

• Completes timely and accurate documentation in accordance with Greater Mental Health of New York documentation policies and applicable grant requirements.

• Accurately maintains required SOR outreach, engagement, referral, and service data.

• Meets established grant deliverables and productivity expectations applicable to the position.

Requirements :

• Current New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) or CASAC-Trainee (CASAC-T) credential required.

• Experience working with individuals affected by substance use disorders, opioid use disorder, and/or co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.

• Experience with community outreach, engagement, substance use treatment, care coordination, or other community-based behavioral health services preferred.

• Knowledge of OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment services and community recovery resources preferred.

• Knowledge of harm reduction, overdose prevention, and medications for opioid use disorder preferred.

• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Westchester County to provide community-based outreach and engagement services.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation as required to fulfill community outreach responsibilities.

• Strong computer knowledge, including typing, communication tools, scheduling tools, and web browsers.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database management systems.

• Experience utilizing Electronic Health Records preferred.

• Fluency in English (Reading, Writing, Speaking); bilingual skills are a plus.

• Must be cleared and maintain clearance by applicable regulatory authorities as required.

• Legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Special Considerations :

• Requires extensive community-based and field work.

• May require evenings or flexible hours based on outreach needs.

Mandated Reporter:

This is a Mandated Reporter position.  The NYS Justice Center legislation defines anyone who has regular and substantial contact with any person with special needs as a “custodian” under the law and, therefore, a mandated reporter.  You can be held liable by both the civil and criminal legal systems for intentionally failing to make a report. 

Greater Mental Health of New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Greater Mental Health