This specialist role is a clinical member of the evidence-based Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team (FACT) serving Albany and Schenectady Counties. It involves providing integrated, community-based treatment and support services to adults with serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, social needs, and involvement with the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice Specialist serves as the team's primary resource for criminal justice-related assessment, intervention, and coordination.
Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive assessments using person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented approaches
Identify individual strengths, needs, barriers, risks, and goals and incorporate findings into individualized treatment and service planning
Provide comprehensive, meaningful, and purposeful clinical and support services in the office and community, including individuals' homes, apartments, shelters, hospitals, correctional facilities, courts, and other community settings as appropriate
Provide and/or coordinate clinical services, crisis intervention, medication support and supervision, case management, advocacy, skill development, referrals, and linkage to community resources in accordance with the individual's treatment plan
Assess individual clinical, behavioral health, social, housing, employment, substance use, and other identified needs and collaborate with individuals to develop strategies that promote community stability and reduce the likelihood of justice-system involvement
Respond to crisis situations and urgent needs to promote the safety and well-being of individuals served, staff, and the community
Participate in the FACT Team's rotating on-call responsibilities and provide crisis intervention, assessment, support, and linkage to appropriate emergency or community-based services when necessary
Participate in community meetings, case conferences, court-related meetings, treatment court meetings, and other meetings as assigned to support continuity of care and positive treatment outcomes
Serve as the primary clinical resource regarding criminal justice involvement and coordinate services across the continuum of justice-system contact, including pre-arrest and pretrial involvement through probation, parole, treatment court, incarceration/re-entry, and other applicable justice-system requirements
Conduct standardized criminogenic risk and needs assessments to identify criminogenic risks and needs and guide individualized interventions designed to reduce risk, promote behavioral change, and decrease recidivism
Take a lead role in integrating criminogenic assessment findings into individualized treatment and service plans, ensuring interventions address identified risks and needs while remaining responsive to the individual's strengths, abilities, culture, preferences, and stage of recovery
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Collaborate with individuals to identify practical strategies for reducing behaviors and circumstances that may contribute to arrest, incarceration, community disruption, or re-offending
Assist individuals in understanding and navigating applicable criminal justice processes and requirements and support successful engagement with probation, parole, treatment courts, courts, attorneys, correctional facilities, and other justice-system partners
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, including criminal justice agencies, probation and parole, courts, treatment courts, housing providers, behavioral health, and substance use treatment providers, hospitals, hospitals-based providers, local governmental units, and other community partners
Provide transportation to individuals when clinically or programmatically necessary, utilizing agency vehicles
Maintain access to a reliable personal vehicle and be willing to use the vehicle for community meetings when not transporting an individual
Be aware that Mohawk Opportunities programs and offices may include multiple levels accessible only by stairs
Be aware that community-based services may require visits to individuals' apartments and residences, including locations on upper floors
Requirements
New York State licensure as a LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, or other applicable credentials appropriate to the position
Minimum of three years of experience providing services to individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, or other complex behavioral health needs
Minimum of one year of experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system, including experience with probation, parole, treatment courts, courts, correctional settings, re-entry, or other justice-system processes
Strong commitment to the rights, dignity, autonomy, and self-determination of individuals with mental illness, including their ability to make informed choices, live successfully in the community, pursue employment and meaningful activities, and access ongoing support and services that promote wellness and recovery
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team while also exercising independent clinical judgment and managing responsibilities in a flexible, field-based environment
Valid and insurable New York State driver's license and ability to meet agency requirements for approved drivers
Access to a reliable personal vehicle and willingness to use the vehicle for authorized business purposes
Nice to have:
Experience working within an ACT, FACT, intensive community-based behavioral health, forensic mental health, criminal justice, or similarly integrated service model
Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus
Benefits
On-call on a rotation basis. $210/week on-call stipend
Excellent benefits
Staff training
Generous paid time off
30-minute paid lunch
Supportive work environment
Make A Difference Helping Others in a Workplace Where You Matter
Providing A Culture of Caring
Important Details
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
About the Company
Mohawk Opportunities is committed to helping individuals living with mental illness achieve stable community living and independence. Its goal is to provide services and supports that assist individuals living with mental illness to thrive and achieve their full potential for a happy, independent life in the community of their choice. All offers for employment will be contingent upon the candidate having successfully completed background checks.
We are committed to helping individuals living with Mental Illness, HIV/AIDS and those who are homeless achieve stable community living and independence by providing:
Housing that is safe and affordable.
Services that facilitate growth and recovery.
Relationships built on a foundation of caring and respect, and
A sense of hope for the future.
