Substance Use Specialist

Vibrant Emotional Health is a pioneering organization providing high-quality emotional wellness services for over 50 years. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions, community wellness programs, and dedicated advocacy and education efforts, Vibrant has established itself as a leader in emotional health support. Their approach centers on making emotional wellness accessible to all individuals, ensuring timely and effective support exactly when and where it is needed. Operating within the mental health nonprofit sector, Vibrant's commitment to transformative care has helped countless people across NYC and beyond to achieve improved mental and emotional well-being.

This position is for a Substance Use Specialist within the Older Adult ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) team. Reporting to the ACT Team Leader, the role operates in a Hybrid-Flexed location with a significant travel requirement of 75% to 100% within NYC boroughs and adjacent counties. The pay range is competitive, set between $40.88 and $44.07 per hour.

The Substance Use Specialist will focus on providing comprehensive support to older adults who face serious mental illness alongside co-occurring substance use disorders. Functioning within a multidisciplinary ACT team, the Specialist delivers Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) to promote psychiatric stabilization and successful community living. This role is critical in ensuring consumers receive tailored and evidence-based interventions, which incorporate Motivational Interviewing and Harm-Reduction techniques. The Specialist is responsible for managing a caseload of up to 15 seniors, developing individualized service plans, conducting biopsychosocial assessments, and coordinating care across multiple service domains including medical, mental health, housing, and social services.

This position also requires active participation in daily clinical meetings, crisis intervention including emergency hospital admissions, and rotation on the team’s emergency phone coverage, which operates 24/7 to respond to client or provider outreach. Flexibility in scheduling is essential, with work hours including evenings and weekends as required to meet consumer needs.

Beyond direct service delivery, the Substance Use Specialist will maintain meticulous documentation and charting complying with regulatory standards and organizational policies. The role demands strong organizational skills, verbal and written communication abilities, and comfort with computer literacy.

Ideal candidates will have graduate-level education in mental health services such as an MSW or MHC, with professional licensure preferred but not mandatory. CASAC certification is desirable, and candidates should possess at least one to two years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Bilingual or bicultural applicants are encouraged to apply, recognizing the diverse community served.

The physical demands of the role include robust activity, stamina, and coordination, with frequent commuting using public transportation and exposure to outdoor conditions. Meeting consumers safely in their homes is a regular part of this position.

Vibrant Emotional Health values diversity and equal opportunity, fostering an inclusive workplace where candidates from varied backgrounds are welcomed. They also caution applicants about recruitment scams and emphasize that legitimate communications will only come from official @vibrant.org addresses.

Full-time employees at Vibrant are afforded excellent comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision coverage, supplemental income insurance, employer-paid disability and life insurance, pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care, and 401K plan availability. The total compensation package reflects a holistic approach to employee well-being alongside their impactful work serving older adults facing complex mental health and substance use challenges.