Community Access Inc·New York
The Vocational Specialist provides holistic recovery services and supportive counseling to homeless adults with mental health conditions. They specialize in helping participants identify vocational goals and connecting them with education, training, and employment programs.
Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based, mobile practice model designed to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support services to individuals living with a serious mental health condition and whose needs have not been effectively met by traditional mental health services.
Community Access’ Bronx Shelter ACT Team will serve individuals with mental health conditions who are experiencing homelessness in the Bronx, and in other boroughs. Team members will work collaboratively with shelter staff and use assertive engagement strategies to proactively engage individuals in services. ACT team members share responsibility for the people they serve, helping individuals attain housing and other personal goals that may be of a health, social, work or education nature.
ACT teams are multi-disciplinary and include psychiatry, nursing, social work, peer specialists and other staff members offering rehabilitation, treatment and recovery support services. The team provides expertise in the areas of housing, substance use and harm reduction, family support, employment, and wellness self-management. Based on their area of expertise, team members collaborate to deliver comprehensive, integrated and flexible services that are responsive to a participant’s choices, needs and goals. With a small staff to participant ratio, services are brought to the participant and offered in natural settings, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The ACT Team Vocational Specialist is responsible for meeting participants in the community and providing holistic recovery services tailored to the individual’s stated needs.
The Vocational Specialist will be responsible for providing ongoing supportive counseling and service coordination for homeless adults living in Bronx mental health shelters, as well as individuals who have recently transitioned to supportive or independent housing.
The Vocational Specialist is also responsible for integrating person-centered goals and services with the tasks of all ACT team members and for providing psycho-education individually and in groups.
The Vocational Specialist works as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing the range of ACT services to assist participants in achieving their treatment, rehabilitation and recovery goals.
They specialize in assisting people with honing vocational goals and finding schools, training, jobs or employment programs that will help them reach them.
Job Qualifications
Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
Commitment to person-centered treatment strategies, upholding participants’ rights, and self-determination in service provision.
Licensed Master of Social Work, Licensed Mental Health Counselor or Masters degree in similar field.
Knowledge of New York City and/or New York State vocational programs and services
Knowledge of entitlements systems
Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Be creative and flexible.
Able to show initiative and be responsible for follow-through.
Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Be skilled in conflict mediation/negotiation and have an assertive approach to problem solving.
Excellent oral, writing, and listening skills.
Computer proficiency, Microsoft Word, Excel. Comfort with learning new systems and paperless record keeping.
Bilingual Spanish-speaking strongly preferred
Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the New York State Justice Center
Ability to utilize public transportation throughout the city for assigned tasks
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs [http://www.communityaccess.org/jobs].
Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.
Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.
We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as
having a personal experience using mental health services. www.communityaccess.org [http://www.communityaccess.org/]
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or a similar field and be licensed. Knowledge of NYC/NYS vocational programs and entitlements systems is required, with Spanish bilingualism strongly preferred.
Market context
Behavioral health roles in New York are often in steady demand, especially for clinicians who can support diverse age groups and handle assessments or admissions. These positions can be competitive because employers commonly look for independent licensure, while also considering associate-level candidates with clear growth toward full licensure. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your licensure status and assessment experience before applying.
