Substance Use Counselor

Title:                 Substance Use Counselor 

Unit:                 Congregate Housing - Fortune Academy 

Reports to:       Associate Vice President - Congregate Housing 

Status:              Full Time; Non-Exempt   

Location:          Harlem, possible LIC  

Days/Hours:     Mon-Fri, generally 9-5pm, with one late night per week 

Salary Range:   $27.47 - $30.22 per hour [Approximately $50,000 - $55,000 annually]   

Position Summary: 

The Substance Use Counselor is an entry level position that is responsible for providing substance use counseling to clients with histories of criminal justice involvement in a Fortune Society managed transitional housing program. The role will provide counseling services through Fortune’s OASAS-licensed 822 substance use outpatient clinic and will support participants within the emergency/transitional housing program located in Fortune’s Harlem residential facility, The Fortune Academy.   

Core Competencies: 

Mission Fit 

This person shall demonstrate an interest in, and talent for, working with persons with criminal justice system involvement.  The successful candidate will have an understanding of the impacts exposure to the criminal justice system may have had on clients and demonstrate commitment to helping them overcome these difficulties. The successful candidate will also have demonstrated a commitment to using respectful, constructive means of communication when interacting with clients and colleagues.  The individual will utilize a strengths-based, person-centered model and endorse the concept of looking for the best in people, rather than judging them by their worst decision(s).  

Treatment/Modality Experience 

This person will demonstrate an understanding of the DSM-V’s major diagnostic categories as it relates to substance use disorders. The individual shall have some professional experience in evidence-based practices treating individuals with behavioral health disorders through individual and group therapy. The person shall be able to tolerate clients’ expression of emotional distress without seeking to retreat from the client.   

Engagement & Productivity 

This person shall demonstrate an ability to engage clients in treatment and build meaningful therapeutic relationships. This includes the ability to pursue reluctant clients with the aim of inviting them to establish regular attendance at appointments. The person will develop a stable caseload and produce billable activities equal or in excess to the productivity standards established for clinicians. 

Time Management & Documentation  

This position requires solid time management skills as the person must juggle making and keeping client schedules that can change on short notice, completing paperwork, and staying current with various ancillary tasks.  The person will have good computer skills, familiarity with an electronic health record system, and a minimum of 30+ wpm typing skills to ensure the completion of documentation correctly and in a timely manner.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Conduct initial client assessment and psychosocial interviews; 

• Develop a therapeutic alliance with clients; 

• Provide ongoing individual substance abuse counseling, occasional group counseling, and (or) mental health sessions.  

• Write and update individual client-based, goal-orientated treatment plans following agency guidelines and timeframes; 

• Maintain proper case records, with all case notes completed within 48 hours of interaction. 

• Maintain on-going clinical communication with supervisor; 

• Communicate with other Fortune staff members in the same and other programs/locations that share common client(s);  

• Provide linkages to outside agencies for additional services;  

• Participate in case conferences and clinical supervision meetings; 

• Perform other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications: 

• AA/BA in relevant field required and MHC, or LMHC preferred; 

• CASAC-T along with previous substance use treatment (inpatient/outpatient or residential) experience desired; 

• Minimum of one years’ overall experience required; 

• Experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders, justice impacted, and trauma is required; 

• Ability to work independently as well as with a team; 

• Excellent client-engagement and counseling skills;   

• Excellent clinical documentation and time management skills;  

• Strong computer skills, particularly in electronic health records; 

• Bilingual Spanish-speaking desired; 

• We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus. 

Travel Requirements: Position is based primarily in Fortune Society’s West Harlem residence, The Fortune Academy. Work may require some travel to other Fortune locations or occasional 3rd party facilities.   

Physical Demands:  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.