Crisis Intervention Specialist - Supportive Housing Brooklyn Community Services

Position: Crisis Intervention Specialist

Location: Cortelyou Rd Supportive Housing Program

Hours: Full Time - 35 hours per week - Ability to work until 8 pm, twice a week and rotating weekends

Salary range: $55,000 - $60,000

Reports to: Assistant Program Director

Position Summary: Founded in 1866, Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) empowers children and families to reach their full potential, strengthen families, and foster self-sufficiency in adults. With programs in 40 locations, BCS serves more than 20,000 individuals a year.

1921 Cortelyou is a 46 unit supportive housing program located in Flatbush Brooklyn. The Program specifically services young adults 18-25 years old with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness and have a chronic history of being unhoused. Most of the young adults living at 1921 Cortelyou are members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Program offers a safe and affirming living environment and supportive services to help our young adults to move towards long term stability. This Program is under the NY/NY 15 population C agreement and funding is being provided through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Position Summary:

The crisis intervention specialist will respond to situations where stress, depression, or any other mental health issue may create a personal crisis including but not limited to the following: suicidal thoughts, emotional trauma, serious mental illness, anxiety, housing crisis .models the best practices of hospitality and positive culture and work enthusiastically as part of a team.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct routine behavioral risk assessments and safety plans
• De-escalate high risk behaviors that may be creating an unsafe environment for a client or others around them.
• Provide guidance to clients in dealing with housing-related issues
• Recommend appropriate Person-Centered interventions strategies.
• Provide routine follow-up.
• Provide supportive counseling and motivational interviewing on a short term basis
• Provide crisis management support as necessary.
• Facilitate one-on-one sessions and groups.
• Participate in clinical team meetings
• Make referrals for clients and linkages
• Complete psychosocial assessments for 2010e applications.
• Create Wellness Self-Management Services Plans
• Serve as an advocate and liaison for person in crisis
• Complete documentation in a timely manner in Apricot database
• Emergency On-call rotation with Program Director and Assistant Program
• Follow-up on hospital admissions and discharges
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required by Assistant Program Director
• Other tasks, as may be required

Qualifications Required:

• Master's in counseling, psychology, public administration or mental health required, MSW/LMSW preferred
• Experience working with individuals with mental illness and substance abuse, preferably with homeless adults and at-risk populations. Experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community strongly preferred
• Strong communication and organizational skills; great attention to detail
• Proven ability to work with a range of people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances
• Maintain client and staff confidentiality
• Comfortable providing services in BCS office and tenant’s apartments
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, Gmail, etc.)
• Ability to work until 8 pm, twice a week and rotating weekends
• Previous work experience in a social service agency or non-profit organization
• Interest in working with underserved populations.
• Familiarity with electronic data records systems
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Must undergo pre-employment screenings such as the Criminal Background Check required by OMH

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.