Enter a job title or keyword

Support Specialist Trauma-Informed Counselor


Job Location:

Paterson, NJ - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 45000 - 55000
Posted: 3 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary


Support Specialist/ Trauma-Informed Counselor
Millicent Fenwick House (MFH) - Residential Community Reintegration Program (RCRP)
Position Summary
TheSupport Specialist/ Trauma-Informed Counselor provides directsupportservices to justice-involved women participating in the Residential Community Reintegration Program (RCRP) at Millicent Fenwick House. The position focuses on promoting successful community reintegration through trauma-informed care case management substance use recoverysupport life skills development crisis intervention and individualized service planning.
Working within a gender-responsive and recovery-oriented environment theSupport Specialistassists residents in addressing barriers to successful reentry maintaining employment achieving recovery goals strengthening coping skills and developing healthysupportsystems.
The ideal candidate possesses a Masters Degree in Social Work or a related behavioral health field and demonstrates experience working with individuals impacted by substance use disorders trauma incarceration mental health challenges and community reentry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Trauma-Informed Case Management
  • Provide comprehensive trauma-informed case management services to residents.
  • Conduct intake assessments and assist with development of individualized service plans.
  • Monitor resident progress toward treatment recovery employment educational and reintegration goals.
  • Assist residents in identifying barriers to successful community reintegration and developing strategies to overcome them.
  • Maintain accurate and timely case documentation in accordance with program contractual and regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate referrals to community-based resources healthcare providers behavioral health services housing providers and employment supports.
Counseling and RecoverySupport
  • Provide supportive counseling motivational interviewing and psychoeducational interventions.
  • Facilitate individual and group sessions focused on:
    • Trauma recovery
    • Substance use recovery
    • Relapse prevention
    • Emotional regulation
    • Healthy relationships
    • Life skills development
    • Reentry adjustment
  • Assist residents in developing coping strategies to address trauma triggers and recovery challenges.
  • Supportresidents in maintaining recovery plans and accessing recoverysupportnetworks.
Substance Use DisorderSupport
  • Demonstrate knowledge of substance use disorders addiction recovery processes and evidence-based treatment approaches.
  • Monitor residents engagement in treatment and recovery activities.
  • Assist residents in recognizing relapse warning signs and implementing prevention strategies.
  • Collaborate with clinical providers and treatment partners tosupportcontinuity of care.
  • Promote a recovery-oriented environment that supports long-term sobriety and wellness.
Resident Advocacy andSupport
  • Serve as an advocate for residents while maintaining professional boundaries and program expectations.
  • Assist residents with employment readiness educational goals community engagement and independent living skills.
  • Provide crisis intervention and de-escalationsupportas needed.
  • Supportresidents in navigating systems including parole community supervision healthcare and social services.
  • Participate in resident staffing meetings and interdisciplinary case reviews.
Program Compliance and Documentation
  • Maintain case files and documentation consistent with NJAC NJDOC licensing contractual and agency requirements.
  • Complete progress notes assessments referrals service plans and discharge summaries within required timeframes.
  • Participate in quality assurance activities and program audits.
  • Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA agency policies and professional ethical standards.
Team Collaboration
  • Collaborate with residential staff program leadership clinicians parole representatives community providers and other stakeholders.
  • Participate in staff meetings trainings supervision and professional development activities.
  • Contribute to a positive respectful and trauma-informed residential environment.

Qualifications
  • Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) Counseling Psychology Human Services or a related behavioral health field.
  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing case management counseling or supportive services in a behavioral health substance use corrections reentry or residential setting.
  • Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and gender-responsive programming.
  • Knowledge of substance use disorders recoverysupportpractices and relapse prevention strategies.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to establish professional relationships with justice-involved individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Valid drivers license and ability to travel as needed.
Preferred
  • CADC or LCADC
  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or License-Eligible Social Worker.
  • Experience working within residential treatment corrections parole reentry or substance use recovery programs.
  • Training in Motivational Interviewing Cognitive Behavioral Interventions Seeking Safety or other evidence-based trauma-informed practices.
  • Experience facilitating psychoeducational or recovery groups.
Core Competencies
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Substance Use RecoverySupport
  • Case Management
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Resident Engagement
  • Documentation and Compliance
  • Cultural Competency
  • Professional Ethics
  • Collaboration and Teamwork
Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work within a residential setting.
  • Ability to navigate stairs and multiple floors within the facility.
  • Ability to respond to emergencies and crisis situations.
  • Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
Position Classification
  • Full-Time
  • Exempt
  • Reports to: Program Director or Clinical Supervisor

Salary Range
$45000 - $55000 annually


Required Experience:

Manager


About Company

Company Logo

New Jersey Association on Correction is changing people's lives for the better by providing resources necessary to rewrite their story.

View Profile View Profile