Recovery Specialist

At Episcopal Community Services (ECS), employees work with participants who may be experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance use challenges, and other difficult life circumstances. While this work is meaningful and mission-driven, it can at times be stressful, demanding, or unpredictable. Employees are expected to exercise sound judgment, remain aware of their surroundings, follow established safety, communication, and de-escalation procedures, participate in all required trainings, and promptly report incidents, threats, injuries, or unsafe conditions, in accordance with ECS policies and procedures.

This position is a fully onsite, client-facing role that requires in-person interaction and direct service delivery to participants at ECS program locations. Due to the essential nature of the duties and the need for consistent in-person engagement with clients, remote work or work-from-home arrangements are not available for this position.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Recovery Specialist will provide rehabilitative and therapeutic services, with a focus on supporting residents with substance use disorders, as part of a broader wraparound housing support services team. The clients we serve are formerly homeless adults who have experienced substance use, mental health, and physical health challenges as well as other impacts of poverty and homelessness. The Recovery Specialist will provide strengths-based case management and support services including outreach and engagement, for all residents on their assigned caseload.

PRIMARY DUTIES

- Provide trauma-informed case management, rehabilitative services, recovery support, and counseling to residents through a relational engagement approach that prioritizes trust, empathy, authenticity, and respect. Foster meaningful, strengths-based relationships that empower residents to identify their goals, build resilience, support long-term recovery, and achieve greater independence and housing stability.

- Perform intake interviews and assessments for assigned tenants on the day of move-in, including review and documentation of health status, psychosocial history, financial status, substance use history, housing history, and other relevant areas of functioning and support needs

- Utilize Motivational Interviewing techniques to explore tenants' substance use/dependency, encourage reduction, provide support to clients moving towards abstinence and/or provide Relapse Prevention services

- Act as team lead on substance use disorder issues, providing psychoeducation to tenants and staff regarding substance use, recovery, relapse prevention, overdose prevention, harm reduction strategies, and wellness planning

- Develop and facilitate weekly recovery-focused groups and activities centered on topics such as relapse prevention, recovery support, coping skills, wellness education, and peer support through a Harm Reduction lens.

- Develop relationships with community agencies providing outpatient, residential, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services for substance use disorders, and support tenants in accessing and engaging with these services.

- Develop Service plans for tenants residing at the site.

- Collaboratively work with tenants to develop individualized recovery goals, while monitoring, documenting, and regularly updating progress toward achieving these goals in accordance with agency standards and timelines.

- Outreach and support, as needed, to each resident on assigned caseload at least monthly, as well as in response to indicators the resident may be at risk of harm, need crisis intervention, or jeopardizing their housing (delinquent rent, lease violations, etc.).

- Assess each resident’s eligibility for benefits and entitlements and assist residents in applying for and enrolling in these programs.

- Assist tenants with planned exits from the program to engage in comprehensive discharge planning, that includes referrals for case management, housing, food, clothing, medical treatment, detox, and/or other services as necessary and appropriate.

- Assist tenants in identifying barriers to service engagement and support problem-solving strategies.

- Advocate on behalf of residents with Property Management regarding issues that may be jeopardizing residents’ housing (late rent notices, lease violations, etc.). Under the direction of the SSM, work with Property Management to avoid eviction, when possible.

- Maintain accurate, timely, confidential, and professional documentation, including case notes, outreach letters, Service Plans, recertifications, and other required paperwork in accordance with agency standards.

- Participate in twice-per-week Wellness Checks for building tenants, and as necessary, subsequent Emergency Safety Checks to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all tenants.

- Provide back-up coverage for other case managers, as directed by the SSM.

- Attend all required meetings and case conferences.

- Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

COMPETENCIES

- Excellent verbal & written communication, organizational, and time management skills.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.

- Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams.

- Possess an understanding of and practice cultural sensitivity.

- Experience in building rapport and engaging in the most difficult to serve participants.

- Experience and ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with individuals with disabilities and/or are experiencing homelessness that instills hope and promotes self-determination using a strengths-based approach.

- Maintains strict confidentiality and sound judgment when handling sensitive tenant and organizational information in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.

- Sensitivity to and understanding of the special needs of the homeless.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms.

- Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications.

- High degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.

QUALIFICATIONS

- CADACC I or II is required.

- 2 years of experience providing substance recovery services required.

- Excellent verbal & written communication, organizational, and time management skills.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.

- Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams.

- Understanding of the following evidence-based practices: Housing First, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and Relapse Prevention Therapy.

- Familiarity with substance use treatment systems, as well as behavioral health resources throughout San Francisco.

- Ability to effectively engage individuals with complex behavioral health needs, including substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health and/or chronic medical conditions, in a respectful, trauma-informed, and nonjudgmental manner.

- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

- Strong skills completing assessments, Service Plans, and case notes.

- Experienced with de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms.

- Understanding and practice of culturally sensitive components of direct service delivery through open dialogs and self-exploration with diverse groups.

- Outstanding communication skills and high degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

- Must secure finger image screening and annual TB screening. Must be able to meet physical requirements of the position which may include long periods at a desk, daily travel to various sites, and lifting of up to 25 lbs.

- Multi-level buildings with stairs and/or ramps.

- Work in program service environments, which may include entering housing units or tenants’ residences, program offices, non-agency offices and meeting areas.

Mission Essential

- Demonstrate behavior that supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values.

- Adhere to all program, funder, and organizational policies, and procedures.

- Communicate effectively and model integrity, fairness, and ethical business practices.

ECS offers industry leading healthcare benefits to support your

physical and mental well-being.

ECS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records as consistent with San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.

ECS values a workplace where every individual is respected, supported, and given equal opportunity to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.