YMCA of Yonkers

Job Title: Reentry & Behavioral Support Social Worker (LMSW)

Status: Full-Time, Salary Exempt

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: $66,300–$70,000 annually

Reports To: Director of Reentry & Healing Hub

Department: Reentry & Healing Hub / Social Responsibility

POSITION SUMMARY

The Reentry & Behavioral Support Social Worker (LMSW) provides trauma-informed, participant-centered counseling, behavioral interventions, and individualized support services through the YMCA of Yonkers Reentry & Healing Hub, a newly established initiative funded by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Serving justice-involved adults ages 18 and older throughout Yonkers and Westchester County, the Reentry & Behavioral Support Social Worker will play a critical role in helping participants address barriers to successful community reintegration, strengthen coping and decision-making skills, and achieve greater personal, social, and economic stability.

Reporting to the Director of the Reentry & Healing Hub, the Reentry & Behavioral Support Social Worker will support the implementation of a comprehensive, evidence-based service model integrating Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI), trauma-informed supportive counseling, risk and needs assessments, individualized service planning, case management, and community referrals. The position will work collaboratively with Academic & Career Counselors, the Program Coordinator, Peer Support & Intake Specialist, and community partners to ensure that participants receive coordinated services responsive to their individual circumstances and goals.

As a founding member of the Reentry & Healing Hub team, the Reentry & Behavioral Support Social Worker will help establish participant engagement practices, service delivery procedures, documentation standards, and a supportive program environment. The position will contribute to the YMCA's commitment to reducing recidivism, strengthening community safety, promoting personal development, and expanding opportunities for justice-involved individuals to build stable and productive lives.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

At the Y, our work is rooted in three key areas:

Achievement

- Helping adults develop coping strategies, strengthen decision-making skills, overcome barriers, and make meaningful progress toward personal and reentry goals.

Relationships

- Building trusting, supportive connections with participants, families, colleagues, and community partners that promote accountability and long-term stability.

Belonging

- Creating a safe, respectful, culturally responsive, and welcoming environment where every participant is treated with dignity and has opportunities to succeed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Participant Assessment & Individualized Service Planning

• Conduct participant interviews, psychosocial assessments, and structured screenings to identify reentry-related challenges, strengths, behavioral support needs, and available resources.

• Administer or support DCJS-approved risk and needs assessment tools, including ORAS where applicable, consistent with required training and program protocols.

• Collaborate with participants and program staff to develop Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) addressing identified needs and goals related to employment, education, housing stability, behavioral development, and community reintegration.

• Review participant progress, document service engagement, and recommend adjustments to individualized service plans as needs and circumstances change.

• Identify participants who may benefit from specialized behavioral health services and coordinate appropriate referrals to qualified external providers.

Trauma-Informed Counseling & Cognitive Behavioral Interventions

• Provide individual, trauma-informed supportive counseling focused on coping strategies, emotional regulation, problem-solving, motivation, healthy relationships, and successful community reintegration.

• Facilitate structured individual and group Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) using approved curricula and evidence-based practices designed to strengthen decision-making, accountability, and prosocial behavior.

• Support the delivery of the program's required CBI services, including the minimum session expectations established in the approved DCJS work plan, as appropriate to individualized participant needs.

• Facilitate group discussions and educational activities addressing reentry challenges, conflict resolution, stress management, communication, and personal responsibility.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and deliver services consistent with New York State LMSW scope-of-practice requirements and applicable supervision standards.

• Coordinate referrals for psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation, substance use treatment, or other specialized services when participant needs exceed the Hub's direct-service scope.

Case Management & Participant Support

• Provide ongoing individualized support to help participants address barriers to program participation, service engagement, and achievement of their reentry goals.

• Collaborate with Academic & Career Counselors to connect participants with educational programs, vocational training, workforce readiness activities, and employment opportunities.

• Coordinate with the Peer Support & Intake Specialist to promote participant engagement, retention, follow-up, and successful transitions between program services.

• Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings, and monthly participant progress reviews to ensure continuity and coordination of services.

• Support participants in accessing community resources, including housing assistance, public benefits, healthcare, legal services, and other appropriate supports.

• Promote participant self-determination, accountability, and strengths-based approaches throughout service delivery.

Program Development, Documentation & DCJS Compliance

• Assist the Program Director in developing and implementing participant assessment procedures, counseling protocols, group facilitation practices, and case management standards for the newly established Hub.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential participant records, including assessments, individualized service plans, counseling notes, CBI attendance, referrals, and progress documentation.

• Document service delivery and participant outcomes in accordance with YMCA policies, DCJS reporting requirements, and applicable professional standards.

• Support achievement of approved program measures, including counseling sessions, CBI delivery, participant engagement, and individualized service-plan outcomes.

• Participate in continuous quality improvement activities, case reviews, program evaluations, and required staff training.

• Complete required DCJS training modules and maintain professional knowledge of trauma-informed practices, reentry services, and evidence-based behavioral interventions.

Community Collaboration & Professional Practice

• Build collaborative relationships with community-based organizations, probation and court partners, behavioral health providers, and other referral resources.

• Coordinate participant support with partner organizations, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and consent practices.

• Participate in community meetings, professional development activities, and interdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen the Hub's service delivery model.

• Identify emerging participant needs, service gaps, and opportunities to improve access to supportive services.

• Support social work student learning or field activities only when appropriately qualified and authorized under applicable academic and professional requirements.

Organizational Support

• Follow YMCA policies, professional boundaries, confidentiality requirements, ethical standards, and applicable DCJS contractual obligations.

• Participate in required staff meetings, training, quality improvement activities, and YMCA initiatives.

• Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with professional licensure and the position's responsibilities.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Practice

• Participant-Centered Counseling and Engagement

• Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Group Facilitation

• Assessment, Case Management and Individualized Service Planning

• Professional Ethics, Confidentiality and Boundaries

• Documentation, Data Quality and Accountability

• Collaboration, Communication and Problem Solving

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) required.

• Current, valid New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license required.

• Minimum two years of relevant professional experience in social work, community-based services, behavioral support, case management, or related human services preferred.

• Experience working with justice-involved adults, individuals affected by trauma, or populations experiencing significant barriers to employment, housing, or community stability strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, supportive counseling, motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions, and strengths-based case management preferred.

• Experience facilitating structured groups, conducting psychosocial assessments, and developing individualized service plans preferred.

• Familiarity with criminal justice systems, community supervision, reentry programs, or alternatives-to-incarceration initiatives strongly preferred.

• Strong interpersonal communication, professional judgment, documentation, and multidisciplinary collaboration skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, establish professional boundaries, and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic case management or reporting systems.

• Ability to maintain professional licensure and complete all required program training.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE WILL BE MEASURED BY

• Timely completion of assigned participant assessments, individualized service plans, counseling documentation, and case management records.

• Effective delivery of trauma-informed supportive counseling and structured CBI services consistent with the approved DCJS work plan.

• Contribution to the Hub's annual service targets, including 150 individual counseling sessions and 30 CBI group cycles across the program.

• Demonstrated participant engagement, progress toward individualized goals, and appropriate coordination of community resources and referrals.

• Accurate, timely, and confidential documentation supporting program performance, quality improvement, and grant compliance.

• Effective collaboration with the Program Director, multidisciplinary team, and community partners.

• Consistent adherence to YMCA policies, professional ethics, applicable licensing requirements, and participant safety standards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is primarily based at 17 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, NY, with local community visits, partner meetings, and outreach activities as needed.

• Responsibilities involve individual participant meetings, group facilitation, office-based case management, and community-based service coordination.

• Ability to work in office, group-program, and community settings, use a computer, maintain records, and manage multiple participant needs.

• Schedule may include occasional evenings or weekends to accommodate participant and program needs.

BENEFITS

The YMCA of Yonkers offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits, and professional development opportunities, subject to plan eligibility.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Join the YMCA of Yonkers Reentry & Healing Hub and help build a new community-based initiative dedicated to supporting justice-involved adults in achieving stability, opportunity, and successful community reintegration. We welcome compassionate, skilled, and mission-driven social workers committed to trauma-informed practice, achievement, relationships, and belonging.