Behavioral Health Specialist

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 quickly adapt to a customized case management system created in Microsoft Dynamics.

Hours & Scheduling Expectations

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.

Hours: Tues-Sat 1-9PM

• 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.

*Internal applicants must be 1 year in their current roles and in current 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 are currently 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.