The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES)
Substance Use Specialist
The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), New York, New York, us, 10261
Substance Use Specialist
Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES) is seeking an experienced Substance Use Specialist to join our Pretrial Services team within the Supervised Release Program. The Substance Use Specialist will be a key partner in delivering direct services to participants with substance use disorders and involvement in the criminal legal system. Responsibilities include providing psychoeducation and support for clients’ substance use treatment needs, coordinating detox or rehabilitation referrals, assessing clients’ current substance use and stages of change, and advocating with service providers to ensure clients receive appropriate treatment supports.
Job Summary CASES’ Supervised Release Program (SRP) annually diverts 7,500 people otherwise facing pretrial detention at Rikers Island to community‑based supervision and support services. Program participants include youth and young adults, people with substance use disorders and mental illnesses, and individuals who are homeless. SRP participants have not been found guilty of a crime and are not mandated to engage in treatment or other services. Staff must tactfully deliver approaches that help participants tap into intrinsic motivation to leverage their strengths and skills for meaningful life improvements while fulfilling all court requirements.
Salary and Working Hours Salary: $63,654 per year.
Shift Hours: Full‑time, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Location 151 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (office easily accessible by public transportation).
Workplace Flexibility Hybrid – at least one full day of remote work per week.
What You Will Be Doing
Provide direct services to a limited, specialized caseload of pretrial participants managing challenges in substance use and behavioral health.
Participate in regularly occurring team meetings and case conferences to ensure seamless coordination among staff and rapid responses to urgent substance use issues.
Support and encourage the incorporation of a Harm Reduction framework that avoids stigmatization, shaming, and negative perceptions related to substance use.
Serve as the point person for Narcan kit distribution and substance use resources and referrals.
Conduct ongoing service‑need assessments with participants to examine psychosocial needs, severity of mental and substance use disorders, and motivation for treatment.
Review legal and court screening documentation to facilitate admission and ongoing needs assessment of criminal history, psychosocial, developmental, and behavioral health needs, and supervision risks.
Link participants to critical resources that support recovery and mitigate harmful impacts of ongoing substance use.
Utilize problem‑solving and motivational interviewing to help motivate and engage participants in the change process, ensuring culturally competent, gender‑responsive, trauma‑informed, and evidence‑based risk‑need‑responsivity principles are followed.
Provide culturally competent and anti‑racist services in accordance with CASES’ policies, addressing the needs of youth, adults, and individuals with behavioral health needs, and responsive to race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and criminal legal history.
Ensure timely, complete, and accurate documentation in the case record database, including assessments, supervision schedules, and progress notes in accordance with confidentiality regulations.
Participate in clinical supervision, case review, staff meetings, and in‑service training to develop clinical, motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed, supervision, case‑management, and self‑care competencies.
Strive to meet monthly supervision, case coordination, and outcome goals.
What We Are Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a relevant field.
Active CASAC certification.
At least 2 years of experience providing substance use services to individuals, families, or groups within the behavioral health and criminal legal systems.
Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
Ability to work effectively within a diverse team environment.
Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
Ability to co‑create curriculum and facilitate groups as needed.
Preferred Skills
Bilingual Spanish fluency.
Employee Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days.
12 Paid Holidays per year.
403(b) retirement plan with competitive matching up to 6%.
Employee Referral Program.
Our Values At CASES, we move with
PURPOSE , which embodies our values: •
PEOPLE
– Hold people’s stories with dignity. •
UNITY
– Commit to a shared mission. •
RESPECT
– Celebrate the strength of diversity. •
PROGRESS
– Always work to improve. •
OPTIMIZE
– Make the best use of resources. •
SOLUTIONS
– Work together to solve problems. •
EMPATHY
– Seek to understand others.
Equal Opportunity Employer CASES is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position without regard to race, color, ethnicity or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal legal system.
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Job Summary CASES’ Supervised Release Program (SRP) annually diverts 7,500 people otherwise facing pretrial detention at Rikers Island to community‑based supervision and support services. Program participants include youth and young adults, people with substance use disorders and mental illnesses, and individuals who are homeless. SRP participants have not been found guilty of a crime and are not mandated to engage in treatment or other services. Staff must tactfully deliver approaches that help participants tap into intrinsic motivation to leverage their strengths and skills for meaningful life improvements while fulfilling all court requirements.
Salary and Working Hours Salary: $63,654 per year.
Shift Hours: Full‑time, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Location 151 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (office easily accessible by public transportation).
Workplace Flexibility Hybrid – at least one full day of remote work per week.
What You Will Be Doing
Provide direct services to a limited, specialized caseload of pretrial participants managing challenges in substance use and behavioral health.
Participate in regularly occurring team meetings and case conferences to ensure seamless coordination among staff and rapid responses to urgent substance use issues.
Support and encourage the incorporation of a Harm Reduction framework that avoids stigmatization, shaming, and negative perceptions related to substance use.
Serve as the point person for Narcan kit distribution and substance use resources and referrals.
Conduct ongoing service‑need assessments with participants to examine psychosocial needs, severity of mental and substance use disorders, and motivation for treatment.
Review legal and court screening documentation to facilitate admission and ongoing needs assessment of criminal history, psychosocial, developmental, and behavioral health needs, and supervision risks.
Link participants to critical resources that support recovery and mitigate harmful impacts of ongoing substance use.
Utilize problem‑solving and motivational interviewing to help motivate and engage participants in the change process, ensuring culturally competent, gender‑responsive, trauma‑informed, and evidence‑based risk‑need‑responsivity principles are followed.
Provide culturally competent and anti‑racist services in accordance with CASES’ policies, addressing the needs of youth, adults, and individuals with behavioral health needs, and responsive to race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and criminal legal history.
Ensure timely, complete, and accurate documentation in the case record database, including assessments, supervision schedules, and progress notes in accordance with confidentiality regulations.
Participate in clinical supervision, case review, staff meetings, and in‑service training to develop clinical, motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed, supervision, case‑management, and self‑care competencies.
Strive to meet monthly supervision, case coordination, and outcome goals.
What We Are Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a relevant field.
Active CASAC certification.
At least 2 years of experience providing substance use services to individuals, families, or groups within the behavioral health and criminal legal systems.
Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
Ability to work effectively within a diverse team environment.
Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
Ability to co‑create curriculum and facilitate groups as needed.
Preferred Skills
Bilingual Spanish fluency.
Employee Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days.
12 Paid Holidays per year.
403(b) retirement plan with competitive matching up to 6%.
Employee Referral Program.
Our Values At CASES, we move with
PURPOSE , which embodies our values: •
PEOPLE
– Hold people’s stories with dignity. •
UNITY
– Commit to a shared mission. •
RESPECT
– Celebrate the strength of diversity. •
PROGRESS
– Always work to improve. •
OPTIMIZE
– Make the best use of resources. •
SOLUTIONS
– Work together to solve problems. •
EMPATHY
– Seek to understand others.
Equal Opportunity Employer CASES is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position without regard to race, color, ethnicity or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal legal system.
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