Behavioral Health Specialist - ICM

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

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 five boroughs of NYC, employing over 300 employees citywide.

Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor, the Behavioral Health Specialist will provide community-based support for clients who meet the eligibility criteria of high‑risk and high‑need and require a support team to meet with them wherever they are located in NYC. The Behavioral Health Specialist is an integral part of the Clinical Services Department with Queens Supervised Release, striving to support clients in improving behavioral health, promoting recovery and rehabilitation, and providing the highest quality care and support in a responsive and effective manner to high‑risk and high‑need clients who can be served in the community by creating new opportunities for success.

• Screen and assess clients for the treatment of co‑occurring substance use and mental health disorders using appropriate tools and methods and participating 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.
• Maintain persistent engagement and continued observation to assess client improvements and 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.
• Communicate with client, client caregivers, teachers, and/or families (if applicable) and educate families to support implementation of treatment plans and help them understand their loved one’s condition.
• Assist clients in securing medical care, entitlements and other community support that promote integrated physical and mental health, safety, well‑being, and recovery.
• Provide or connect clients with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, housing application completion and placement, and 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.

• Communicate with staff of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines respectfully, acknowledging differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.
• Communicate with clients of diverse populations, needs and experiences in the justice system and other institutions respectfully, acknowledging lived experiences and creating connection.
• Answer questions about services in an informed and well‑resourced way and direct clients and community members to resources by making appropriate referrals.
• Ensure clients are attended to and supported in a timely manner through careful inquiry and use of…