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Job Title: Licensed Behavioral Health Practitioner

Department: 29I Health Facility

Position Summary

As a Residential Social Worker (Licensed Behavioral Health Practitioner), you will assist young people ages 12–18 and their families through counseling, education, and support. In this role, you will collaborate with a team of professionals to set treatment goals, conduct comprehensive assessments, and provide individual, family, and group therapy. You will also address substance use issues, support mental health needs, and provide case management services with a focus on permanency. Additional responsibilities include preparing reports, attending court hearings, linking youth and families with community resources, and ensuring that all services meet professional, legal, and agency standards.

Department

New Directions Youth & Family Services’ 29I Health Facility provides comprehensive, integrated behavioral health services for children and adolescents. By offering assessments, treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions, our team helps youth and families build the skills they need to succeed in life and transition toward permanency.

Agency

New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Benefits

New Directions offers a competitive benefits package to support our employees:

+ 3 weeks of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays

+ Medical, dental, and life insurance

+ 401k with up to 3% agency match

+ Tuition assistance and student loan assistance

+ Mileage reimbursement

+ Agency-provided cell phone and laptop computer

+ Primarily Monday – Friday schedule (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) with some flexibility

+ Opportunities for professional development and advancement

+ Join a company where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10+ years

Compensation

$53,147 – $57,133 per year in the first year, based on degree and experience. Additional raises guaranteed.

Hours/Schedule

Full-Time, primarily Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with flexibility as needed.

Professional Development Opportunities

Licensed Behavioral Health Practitioners receive ongoing professional development through in-service trainings, supervision, and access to advanced learning opportunities. Staff maintain and enhance expertise in trauma-informed care, permanency planning, and evidence-based interventions.

Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities

+ Establish individualized, client- and family-centered treatment goals in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team

+ Conduct comprehensive assessments including risk, trauma, developmental, mental health, and substance use needs

+ Provide therapy services: individual, family, group, trauma-informed, and substance use counseling

+ Deliver psychiatric supports, psychoeducation, and wellness education

+ Promote skill-building and connect youth and families with community resources

+ Provide case management services with a focus on permanency and transitions

+ Prepare reports, petitions, and attend family court as required

+ Screen adoptive resources, complete home studies, and participate in permanency resource events (e.g., Heart Gallery, Family Finding)

+ Facilitate youth referrals to agencies or providers and provide aftercare support

+ Engage youth and families in permanency planning, including safety plans, transition planning, and Lifebook creation

+ Collaborate with county, courts, schools, and permanency programs as a liaison and ambassador for the agency

+ Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings, CSEs, and permanency round tables

+ Maintain compliance with OCFS, DSS, Family Court, and CSE guidelines and documentation standards

+ Provide crisis support and partner with families to strengthen engagement and consistent family time

+ Attend mandatory in-service training, supervision, and additional trainings as needed

+ Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Strong clinical skills in assessment, therapy, and treatment planning

+ Experience with youth and families in residential and/or foster care settings

+ Knowledge of permanency planning, family systems, and trauma-informed interventions

+ Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills

+ Ability to engage and support families through crisis and long-term planning

+ Ability to adapt to change and function effectively in a team environment

+ Knowledge of relevant community resources and referral systems

Qualifications

+ Required: LCSW, LMFT, LMHC (or LMHC-P), Licensed Psychoanalyst, LMSW (under supervision), or Psychiatrist

+ Preferred: Experience providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy to adolescents and families; experience with crisis intervention and substance use treatment

+ LMSW or LMHC candidates may be considered with the stipulation that licensure must be obtained within 90 days of hire

+ Completion of all required background checks and trainings:

+ NYS SCR, SOR, DCJS fingerprinting, SEL, OMIG Medicaid Exclusion

+ Mandated reporter training

+ Compliance with NYSED and OCFS guidance

+ Valid driver’s license, adequate auto insurance, and compliance with agency driving policy

+ Ability to pass an annual physical per agency health policy (Category 2 classification)

+ Compliance with agency safety standards and healthy work environment practices

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.