Behavioral Health Specialist - ICM

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT

QUEENS SUPERVISED RELEASE

POSTED: 8/10/2026

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 persons 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 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.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Screen and assess clients for the treatment of co-occurring substance use and MH disorders through application of appropriate tools and methods combined with participation in interdisciplinary team consultations.

Provide individualized intervention for problematic behaviors using techniques such as CBT therapy, crisis intervention, and de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.

Persistent engagement and continued observation to help assess client’s improvements and/or ongoing needs or behavior.

Assist in developing and implementing treatment plans to address behavioral issues.

Advocate and liaise for clients within the criminal legal and/or shelter system and support them throughout the treatment process.

Communicates with client, client caregivers, teachers, and/or families (if applicable). Educates families to support implementation of treatment plans and help them understand their loved one’s condition.

Assist clients in securing medical care, entitlement and other community support that promote integrated physical and mental health, safety, wellbeing, and recovery.

Provide or connect clients with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, completion of housing applications and placement, and provision of life skills training.

Complete assessments and maintain accurate progress notes in a timely manner using best practices for records retention and document storage of sensitive information.

Collaborate with external stakeholders, such as hospitals, shelters, and primary care coordinators to achieve consistent engagement and positive client outcomes.

Provide services in a strengths-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive manner.

Client Centered Management and Communication

Communicates with staff comprised of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines in a respectful manner that acknowledges differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.

Communicates with clients of diverse populations, needs and experiences in the justice system and other institutions in a respectful manner that acknowledges lived experiences and creates connection.

Answers questions about our services in an informed and well-resourced way and directs clients and community members to resources by making appropriate referrals.

Ensure that clients are being attended to and supported in a timely manner, through careful inquiry and the use of evidence-based tools.

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.

Guides 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 mobile team to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps.

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.

Attentive 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 qu