Harm Reduction Specialist (107th Street)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: Stephen Russo Residence (W 107th Street), is a permanent supportive housing residence for formerly homeless adults with mental health and co-occurring disorders. Services include case management, harm reduction, housing readiness, counseling, medical and psychiatric services, groups and recreation, and 24-hour 7 day a week front desk concierge.

Position Summary: In addition to carrying a caseload, the Co-Occurring Use Disorder Specialist to assess all tenants around their substance abuse/dependence; Utilizing harm reduction perspective and other recovery models work with tenants towards their goals. Develop Harm Reduction/Relapse Prevention Groups for tenants.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Salary Range: $53,600 - $57,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Role, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

• Provide substance abuse assessment and counseling utilizing different recovery models and monitor medication intake
• Maintain all necessary statistics and required documentation of services including assessments, psycho-socials, service plans and progress notes
• Track and maintain all data outcome measures on tenants physical, mental and behavioral health with a results orientated framework
• Develop and maintain linkages to different substance abuse treatment providers
• Conduct weekly harm reduction and smoking cessation groups
• Provide case management to a group of assigned clients; identify short and long-term treatment goals and help clients achieve them, including linkages to community programs such as medical, psychiatric and drug treatment services
• Assist clients to apply and maintain entitlements and in understanding and complying with building rules
• Assist clients with maintaining permanent housing such as maintaining subsidies, passing room inspections, addressing rental arrears, and making APS referrals as needed
• Escort clients on visits to doctors, entitlement offices, housing court, or other community services
• Maintain case records with documentation of services provided and outcomes, according to specific program policies and procedures
• Collaborate with staff in other GRCC programs to coordinate client service
• Encourage participation among resistant clients
• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, training programs and supervision meetings
• Participate in planning and leading group activities
• Collaborate to maintain an active resource directory

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Bachelors’ degree required/CASAC preferred
• Prior experience in mental health/homelessness/addiction preferred
• Bilingual a plus (English/Spanish)

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Excel
• Able to use or learn computer databases such as AWARDS
• Knowledge of substance abuse and recovery modalities
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Understanding of harm reduction model, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, and other best practices

Work Environment

• Mostly indoor office, occasional community room during groups.
• Regular visits to client’s onsite apartments are also required.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.