Aftercare Behavorial Health Specialist ICM

AFTERCARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT- Extended Aftercare

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE

POSTED: 12/5/2025  

Join our team of professionals seeking to improve the experience of justice involved individuals in the NYC Courts! 

  

ABOUT CJA 

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.  CJA is the City’s main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof.  CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 people arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency’s internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA’s programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 300 employees, citywide. 

 POSITION SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor, the Behavioral Health Specialist will provide hybrid office and community-based support for clients who met the eligibility criteria of high-risk and high needs and require a support team to meet with them where they are at regardless of their location in NYC. The Behavioral Health Specialist is an integral part of the Clinical Services Department with Queens Supervised Release, which strives to support clients in improving behavioral health, promotes recovery and rehabilitation, and provides the highest quality care and support in a responsive and effective manner to high-risk and high needs clients who can be served in the community by creating new opportunities for success. The ICM Extended aftercare pilot provided ongoing, voluntary case management, referrals and support services once the active Supervised Release Program matter is closed. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

•  Conduct community-based biopsychosocial assessments, addressing substance use, mental health, housing, medical, and legal needs throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
• Provide individualized, evidence-based interventions (e.g., CBT, crisis intervention, emotion regulation) to support stabilization and recovery.
• Develop and implement integrated treatment/action plans covering behavioral health, housing, employment, education, and recovery goals.
• Maintain persistent engagement and observation to monitor client progress and adjust care plans as needed.
• Utilize diverse outreach and motivation methods to reestablish and maintain client engagement.
• Advocate for clients and coordinate with families, support networks, and external providers to promote treatment adherence and positive outcomes.
• Connect clients to medical care, entitlements, vocational services, housing resources, and life skills training.
• Facilitate individual and group sessions using CBT and other evidence-based models.
• Deliver services in a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive manner.
• Document assessments and maintain accurate progress notes in compliance with best practices.
• Provide formal progress reporting every 20 days.

Client Centered Management and Communication  

• Use motivational interviewing and goal-based interventions to support behavioral change, recovery, and independent living.
• Reinforce client self-efficacy by recognizing progress and encouraging continued positive change.
• Guide clients through treatment plans and behavior change processes with consistent support and monitoring.
• Facilitate access to medical care, entitlements, and integrated physical and mental health services.
• Link clients to employment support, vocational training, life skills programs, and housing resources.
• Coordinate with hospitals, shelters, and community partners to ensure continuity of care.
• Assist with scheduling, documentation (e.g., 2010e forms), and accompany clients to appointments as needed.
• Identify and address service gaps by leveraging partnerships across behavioral health, substance use, and housing systems.
• Provide warm handoffs and joint visits to promote smooth transitions to longer-term services.
• Communicate clearly and collaboratively with team members to align on client needs, goals, and next steps.

 Influencing and Motivating 

• Ability to work intensively with clients using goal-based interventions to create behavioral changes.
• Support the client’s self-efficacy by reinforcing their power to make the changes that they want.
• Guide client through the treatment plan and behavior change process; recognize/acknowledge the positive changes that are made and continue encouraging behavioral changes along the way.
• Clearly and concisely communicates effectively with other members of the team to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps. 

Team Collaboration & Communication 

• Communicate respectfully and effectively with multidisciplinary teams and diverse client populations.
• Participate in team meetings and case conferences to align goals and ensure coordinated, client-centered care.
• Coordinate informed referrals and resource navigation in partnership with community organizations and multidisciplinary teams to ensure clients and their support networks access appropriate services and sustained care.
• Collaborate with staff across diverse identities, experiences, and disciplines, fostering respect and inclusion to promote better client outcomes.

 

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's Degree required and minimum of two years’ experience working with clients who have needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal justice involvement. 

• Alternate Requirement: Candidates without a Bachelor’s Degree must have 5 years' experience working with clients who have needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal justice involvement plus a CASAC. 

• Candidates without a CASAC must have 6 years of experience working with clients who have needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal justice involvement plus a CASAC-T. 

 Other Desired Qualifications & Experience 

• Experience in a multidisciplinary setting and field-based clinical work that includes knowledge or established relationships with Queens based community organizations and social services. 

• Strong commitment to social justice and CJA’s mission and core values. 

• Certifications as CASAC, CASAC-T, or other SU or MH certifications preferred (i.e., certified professional counselor, certified alcohol, and drug counselor (ADC) or behavioral health certificate. 

• Individuals with lived experience in recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or both, or experience with homelessness or the NYC shelter system, or the criminal legal system, are encouraged to apply. 

• Ability to support the development and implementation of standard operating procedures; suggesting improvements or modifications as needed. 

• Fluency in Spanish a plus. 

 REQUIRED SKILLS 

Organization and Critical Thinking Skills 

• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks and work effectively in a deadline-driven environment. 

• Must be able to work independently and carry out directives with minimal supervision. 

• Approaches daily work with a solution-driven attitude and a willingness to take a hands-on approach to resolving challenges. 

• Uses critical thinking, common sense, and creativity to find solutions and alternative options. 

• Attention to details with the ability to quickly identify discrepancies when entering or proofreading case notes. 

Communication and Interpersonal Skills 

• Demonstrated ability to handle client engagement, feedback, questions and complaints with tact and professionalism. 

• Interacts with a confident and approachable demeanor, seeking to break down barriers to connecting with clients. 

• Clear and concise written communications designed to inform or instruct clients, partners and colleagues. 

• Adaptable to changing situations, with a positive outlook. 

Technical Skills 

• Proficient in MS Office suite with the ability to quickly adapt to a customized case management system created in Microsoft Dynamics. 

Hours & Scheduling Expectations 

Hours: M-W-F 9-5 and Tues/Thurs12-8

This is a visible role with direct client-facing responsibilities engaging with clients, staff, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess the required qualifications and skills, and the ability to work in person 5 days a week.

• To provide optimal coverage for client engagement, regularly scheduled workweeks will include weekends and night shifts. 
• Flex hours will be occasionally required to perform client visits either in their homes, or at community-based locations.
• Travel within the 5 boroughs required for client engagement or meetings with community partners, as needed. 

*Internal applicants must be 1 year in their current roles   and in good standing (no disciplinary action within the last 90 days) to apply. 

LOCATION: QUEENS, NY 

SALARY: $74,489.64

* Internal applicants must be 1 year in their current role and in good standing (no disciplinary action within the last 90 days) in order to apply. 

CJA VALUES  

Each employee at CJA is guided by these values in our work: 

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention. 

• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families. 

• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention. 

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plan, four weeks’ vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.  CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development.   

Only those candidates being considered will be contacted.  

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations.

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer  

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.