Substance Use Counselor

Job Details: Job Location: Long Island City - Long Island City, NY, Position Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt, Salary Range: $32.97 - $35.72Hourly, Title: Substance Use Counselor

Unit: Treatment Services/Behavioral Health  

Reports to: Program Manager, Substance Misuse Program

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $32.97 to $35.72 (approximately $60,000 to $65,000 annually)

Location: New York Correctional Facilities (NYC jails) and Long Island City

Days/Hours: 35 hours per week, generally Mon-Fri, 9-5pm with possible rotating Saturdays

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Position Summary:

This exciting new position builds upon Fortune’s decades-long partnership with the NYC Department of Correction (DOC) and NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services to offer vital services to persons in custody (PICs) on Rikers Island, and facilitating referrals to community supports post-release.

Reporting to the CASAC Supervisor, the Substance Use Counselor will be responsible for conducting evidence-based therapeutic groups and screening non-classed individuals within the general population to identify those who may struggle with substance use disorder and refer them, as appropriate, for a higher level of assessment. Substance Use Counselors may engage in the occasional individual counseling session, though they will not carry a caseload or conduct regularly scheduled treatment visits with PICs. Individuals in this role will work closely with their respective supervisors to provide accurate, timely documentation of group services and screening outcomes which may often identify individuals who might qualify for additional services through Correctional Health Services (CHS).

Core Competencies:

Mission Fit

The ideal candidate(s) will demonstrate an interest in, and talent for, working with people with criminal justice system involvement within the NYC jail environment.  The successful candidates will understand the impacts that exposure to the criminal justice system may have had, and continues to have, on clients and demonstrate commitment to providing support. Candidates will also have demonstrated a commitment to using respectful, constructive means of communication when interacting with clients and colleagues. Individuals within this role must also utilize a strengths-based, person-centered approach and endorse the concept of looking for the best in people, rather than judging them by their worst decision(s).

Clinical Expertise

The ideal candidates will demonstrate an understanding of all substance use disorder (‘SUD’) diagnostic categories, and the general criteria and theoretical frameworks for treatment. The successful candidates will have knowledge of, and experience with, the administration of evidence-based screening tools (such as SMAST, DAST-10, PCL-9).  Substance Use Counselors will have practical experience treating individuals with SUD and co-occurring diagnoses through evidence-based individual and group therapy practices. Deep awareness of the principles and techniques of motivational interviewing (‘MI’) and the incorporation of a harm reduction approach is also required.

Time Management & Documentation

This position requires solid time management skills as the person must manage multiple groups in more than one NYC jail housing unit, keeping to schedules that can change on short notice, completing paperwork accurately, and staying current with various ancillary tasks. The position also requires good computer skills, familiarity with using an electronic health record (EHR) system, and solid typing skills to facilitate completing all documentation correctly and in a timely manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Spend up to five days a week providing substance use treatment services on Rikers Island, conducting up to four groups per day, with the occasional 5th day occurring on a rotational Saturday;
Provide evidence-based therapeutic groups, 12-step meetings, harm reduction education, standalone supportive group sessions, and occasional individual counseling sessions that align with agency and DOC-approved curricula;
Conduct client assessments via evidence-based screening tools and accurately report results to the CASAC supervisor to determine next steps;
Appropriately document client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed therapeutic services with clients;
Complete all group and individual contact notes, as well as enhanced substance use screening determinations within 48 hours of interaction;
Create, prepare, and submit tracking sheets for individuals attending group to monitor for curriculum completion;
Provide individuals completing groups with appropriate certificates;
Maintain on-going clinical communication with supervisor while also maintaining productive communication with DOC, CHS, and other Fortune staff members on-site;
Appropriately advocate for needed services, and support individuals with resources and internal or external referrals;
Participate in case conferences and clinical supervision meetings;
Participate in training opportunities to engage in professional development;
Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Qualifications:

CASAC-T/CASAC required; experience in dealing with either psychiatric issues, trauma or incarceration is strongly preferred;
Must have demonstrated experience with counseling individuals with substance use histories;
Ability to work independently with off-site supervision required;
Excellent client-engagement and counseling skills; 
Excellent clinical documentation and time management skills;
Strong computer skills, particularly with reporting in electronic health records (EHRs);
Bilingual Spanish-speaking preferred;

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements: 

Required to travel to Rikers Island and Fortune Society offices
May be required to offices for meetings and/or trainings
Must be willing to travel between DOC facilities, if necessary

Physical Demands:

Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time
Ability to travel corridors and walk up and down stairs frequently
Ability to remove yourself expeditiously if any risks are presented.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.