Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist

Hours: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Reports to: Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Location: Bronx

ORGANIZATION

Youth Justice Network (YJN) was founded in 1990 to anchor, support and build capacity among young people released from jail in New York City. We break cycles of incarceration and promote an equitable justice system by providing young people with opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead. Through a combination of individualized advocacy, mentorship and services, our network of advocates develops relationships with young people whose lives intersect with the justice system. We leverage authentic relationships and local resources so that young people can forge their pathways to wellbeing and positive development.

POSITION

As part of Youth Justice Network’s Career Services team, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist will serve as a support for participants’ health and wellbeing. We are seeking a compassionate, creative, and energetic therapist who will conduct screenings and assessments, provide individual and group therapy, and support crisis interventions as they arise. The Specialist will be available to provide mental health supports to individuals along every point of service throughout the CRED program, follow-up, and beyond.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead mental health and wellbeing initiatives throughout the agency that support positive outcomes for young people

• Work with agency staff to identify individuals who would benefit from therapeutic services.
• Use screening and assessment tools that help young people create health and well-being plans.
• Create citywide partnerships with organizations focused on extensive mental health/substance abuse services, holistic practices and physical health.

Host individual and group wellness sessions that promote healing and resiliency

• Hold tailored and consistent individual therapy space for young people who are enrolled in internship and career services pathways
• Develop curriculum and facilitate engaging groups infusing evidence-based approaches and healing principles which support individuals impacted by community violence the criminal legal system
• Support participants with a high level of needs and uses community-based partnerships to connect them to critical services (i.e., medication management, trauma therapy, etc.)
• Participate and co-lead parts of employment workshops focused around dealing with anxiety, conflict, and self-care.

Collaborate with agency staff to promote trauma-informed practices and interventions.

• Provide guidance and support in how the agency provides therapeutic services
• Develop a network of community mental health providers to support ongoing therapeutic needs for people with serious challenges.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials.
• Required: At least three years of successful experience providing assessments and therapy to justice impacted young people and families (e.g. trauma-informed care).
• Bilingual preferred but not required
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Skilled in meticulous documentation and an eye for detail; proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to travel to YJN office via walking and public transportation
• Committed to working collegially and in a team-based setting
• Integrity, flexibility and a profound commitment to the youth we serve.
• Experience/training in youth development.
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and an understanding and belief in strengths-based youth development philosophy.

Youth Justice Network is privileged to have a profoundly committed and caring staff – one which believes unconditionally in our youth members’ ability to do right and do well. We take our work very seriously, but we strive to make time for self-care and joy. We look for staff from all walks of life who have integrity, humor, a strong work ethic, and are passionate about young people and committed to address the harms caused by mass incarceration.

Benefits include competitive vacation/sick leave policy including 3 days off between Christmas and New Year, generous health insurance, 403b employer match.

Salary range: $70,000-$75,000