Respite Specialist

Services For The Underserved, Inc.·New York

$45,000 - $50,000/yrFull Time On Site 0-2 yrsPosted 23 days ago

Practice for this role

Respite Specialist · $45,000 - $50,000/yr

How this role compares

Computed from live listings

-26% vs. median posted salary for behavioral health roles in New York ($60,660, n=3648)

$2,000 · p10p90 · $84,500,000

this role: $45,000median $60,660

Shaded band: the middle 50% of 3,648 posted behavioral health roles in New York salarys. This role sits in the 24th percentile.

About the role

Pay for this role is about 26% below the New York median for behavioral health roles.

The Respite Specialist provides 24-hour peer support and residential care in a hospital diversion model to assist guests in crisis. They facilitate recovery-oriented activities, assist with daily living tasks, and maintain accurate documentation of guest progress and services.

Min USD $45,000.00/Yr. Max USD $50,000.00/Yr. Position Overview SCOPE OF ROLE

The Respite Specialist will work in the provision of hospital diversion model providing temporaryservices including residential/respite care so clients can stay in a warm, friendly, safe, and supportive home-like environment where they are taught to use new recovery and relapse preventions kills. This is achieved through 24-hour peer support, self-advocacy education, self-help training, and mutual understanding. II.

Essential

DUTIES &

Responsibilities:

Develop a partnership with guests experiencing crisis utilizing trauma-informed, recovery oriented, intentional peer support,

Promote the provision of a safe, comfortable, secure and trusting environment where guests are listened to and respected by staff

Practice the Need Adapted Treatment Model (NATM) and Intentional Peer Support (IPS) after completing training provided as part of the Parachute NYC grant

Draw on knowledge and skills acquired from personal experience with the mental health system with a focus on guest’s personal recovery process

Create a sense of community through the mutual sharing of lived experiences and offers encouragement and support to participate in daily activities within the CRC and community

Assist with pre-registration process for both individuals referred from NA-MCT (Need Adapted Mobile Crisis Team) and those who self-refer (respite-only guests)

Assist with intake and registration of new guests, including an explanation of services and expectations, a tour of the premises, introduction to other staff and guests

Assist and collaborate with other Parachute NYC staff when appropriate to help guests identify, plan for and realize short-term personal goals and priorities while in the CRC

Facilitate individual and group-based educational, recovery, wellness and skill building opportunities including: wellness self-management; WRAP; peer support; harm reduction; and other social or leisure activities

Follow-up with guests to monitor and support progress toward goal-achievement

Advocates for and facilitate access to needed health care services, proactively addressing potential barriers such as missed appointments, transportation, fear and stigma, and communication with professional staff

Assist guests with steps required to prepare their own meals, manage their own medication, take care of their physical needs and participate in the maintenance of a clean-living environment

Responsible for timely and accurate documentation including documentation of interactions with guests, services provided, critical information and events, contacts with collaterals and referrals, as required by SUS policies and Parachute NYC

Provide household upkeep duties as needed

Serve daily cold breakfast for guests and assist guests with accessing snacks, when needed

Encourage guest participation in relevant aspects of documentation process

Participates in data collection and recording related to outcomes, research and other agency and grant-based priorities

Participate in supervision, team meetings, interagency meetings, case conferences, NA-MCT meetings, and other relevant meetings as required by SUS and Parachute NYC

Provides flexible evening, night, weekend and holiday coverage

Qualifications

Required education and experience
1 year work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model
Must have lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully
Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recoveryPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel preferred
Graduate of core peer specialist training program preferred
A respect for, and high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis preferred
Exceptional written and oral communication skills including empathic listening, respondingpreferred
Bilingual English/Spanish a plus Company Overview S:US IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Join a team of employees who care about the wellbeing of others. We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values: respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement. From health and wellness resources to generous PTO, professional development, and more, explore all that we offer on our Benefits Page and see how S:US invests in you. We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values: respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information and including all other statuses protected by Federal, State and Local laws. S:US is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities, including allowance of the use of services animals. To request reasonable accommodation or if you believe such a request was improperly handled or denied, contact the Leave Team at MyMedicalLeave@sus.org. ID 2026-18728

Requirements

Candidates must have at least one year of work experience in a behavioral health setting and lived experience with the mental health system. A minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required, along with the ability to perform de-escalation and support tasks.

high school
De-escalation
Communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Problem-solving
Critical thinking
Crisis intervention
Mental health support
Case documentation
Trauma-informed care
Peer support
Harm reduction
Self-advocacy education
Empathic listening
Recovery-oriented practice
Wellness self-management

Benefits

Generous PTO
Professional development
Health and wellness resources

Posting details

Employment type: Full Time
Work arrangement: On Site
Experience: 0-2 yrs
Salary: $45,000 - $50,000/yr
Location: New York
Posted: Aug 17, 2026
Closes: Aug 17, 2027
Application: Employer website

Behavioral health roles in New York

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.