Mental Health Specialist - Good Shepherd Services

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

As a member of the multidisciplinary team, the Mental Health Specialist provides clinical and therapeutic counseling services to residents of the McLaughlin East Harlem Residence, innovative residential and vocational programs for young adults who are preparing to transition into independent living. The Clinical Social Worker participates in the Sanctuary Model of care to insure trauma-sensitivity to all residents. 

Reports To: Program Director, McLaughlin East Harlem Residence

Location: 55 East 110th Street, NY, NY 10029

Hours: 17 Hours/Week

Salary: $31-$34/hour(Based on relevant experience)

Major Duties:

• Provides therapy: individual, group, and family counseling, using agreed-upon models.
• Facilitates regular psychoeducational groups to residents on a broad range of topics
• Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team. Participates in Case Review Meetings, Service Plan Reviews, Interdisciplinary Conferences, Roundtable Discussions, Seeking Out Solutions, and other meetings.
• Facilitates self sufficiency work, and in collaboration with other team members, arranges for wrap-around services in the community as needed.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to brainstorm long term, and provides clinical support.
• Learn and use the Sales Force database system to document all case information within given time parameters.
• Supports the Sanctuary model of trauma informed care.
• Effectively uses and practices the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar), and self-care in the program to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Promotes and models the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Integrates the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work Required with NY LMSW, OR Master's Degree -Mental Health Counseling  with NYS LMHC
• CASAC-T Preferred
• Clinical work with youth and families required, including crisis management.
• Must have a clear understanding of the needs of young adults experiencing homelessness and a sensitivity to ethnic and cultural differences, and an understanding of the needs of the LGBTQ community.
• Must have the ability to communicate with staff on all levels.
• Demonstrated competence in verbal, written, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Capability to transition easily between working independently with a high degree of self-initiative and contributing as part of a team.
• Excellent crisis intervention, advocacy and problem solving skills.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth development and trauma-informed perspective.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.