Child and Adolescent Substance Use Training Specialist

The NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research is committed to creating new knowledge about the root causes of poverty, developing evidence-based interventions to address its consequences, and rapidly translating research findings into action through policy and best practices.

One of the mission-driven projects of the McSilver Institute is our Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) of New York. CTAC is a training, consultation, and educational resource center that offers a variety of trainings, tools, and informational events to support and help improve direct clinical services, program operations, and development of the family and youth peer workforce for mental health providers and supervisors across New York. All initiatives and projects aim to build competency, support the use of best practices, and promote resilience throughout the children’s behavioral health workforce.

The McSilver Institute is seeking to hire a motivated individual to serve as a full-time Child and Adolescent Substance Use Training Specialist for CTAC to lead and support the development of substance use disorders (SUD) training initiatives and projects as well as to support focused work on mental health related disorders and challenges. Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Innovation and Education, the specialist will be responsible for planning, creating, and disseminating training initiatives to support behavioral health providers in utilizing best practices. Examples of training focus areas include culturally responsive and trauma informed services; person-centered and recovery approaches; coaching and supervision; harm reduction and workforce resilience.

The candidate will join the CTAC team, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team to identify, develop, and disseminate training initiatives aimed toward the treatment of substance use and abuse in youth and families as well as other mental health challenges. This position will suit a professional with an enthusiasm for collaboration, systems understanding, content development, adaptive leadership, and substance use and abuse expertise.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop, in collaboration with team members, clinical trainings based on field needs, participant feedback, annual survey data and funder and other stakeholders’ input
• Support the clinical training work of CTAC by co-creating content for trainings, tools, and online self-learning courses on dual and co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental health challenges
• Facilitate clinical trainings and educational offerings for the behavioral health care workforce, across New York State
• Assist in developing a strategic timeline plan for the development of current and future clinical training initiatives on specific topic areas
• Research and communicate with potential experts and speakers, draft announcements, review presentation slides, and host various offerings
• Communicate with our evaluation team for unique offerings to plan and review surveys
• Manage own workload and deliverables within each project initiative and deliver quality work on time
• Participate in weekly supervision for ongoing support as well as other staff meetings
• Conduct literature reviews on substance use and abuse and mental health related topics affecting participants and providers to help develop clinical training initiatives and understand the best practices in the field
• Other tasks may include grant searches and task meeting attendance

Qualifications include:

• Minimum a Master’s degree in social work, psychology or related field
• Minimum three (3) years of clinical practice or relevant experience working with diverse populations in the area of children and family mental health and substance use disorder
• Clinical licensure such as LCSW
• Experience with content development and training facilitation
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred
• OASAS certification as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) strongly preferred

Knowledge and Skills include but are not limited to:

• Strong understanding of substance use and mental health and related issues in the field, especially with youth and families
• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders, principles and practices of recovery and harm reduction programs as well as evidence-based practices, family therapy, trauma responsive care, culturally responsive care, and anti-oppressive care especially in New York State
• Focus on racially, culturally, religiously and ethnically, linguistically, differently abled diverse communities, including but not limited to BIPOC and LGBTQ communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues, supervisors, and administrative staff.
• Excellent project management including planning, organizational, time-management, problem-solving, adaptability, and writing skills
• Exceptional presentation skills such as presenting information clearly, concisely and interactively to both small and large groups and
• Comfortable working a hybrid work schedule and traveling for in-person trainings (occasional)
• Ability to work effectively as a team player as well as with administrative and support staff
• Ability to accept and offer feedback that promotes respect and leads to professional development
• Seek out and participate in opportunities for professional development which align with the scope of work including but not limited to courses, conferences, and workshops
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and be responsive to the needs of the team and stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and able to meet deadlines
• Positive attitude, professionalism, and ability to build morale
• Ability to adapt to changes and last minute needs for projects and deliverables
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Zoom, Google, and various search engines
• Strong affinity with the mission of the McSilver Institute

Please note the following:

• NYU McSilver is currently operating on a hybrid schedule of 3-days a week in-person.
• This is a grant funded position with the opportunity for ongoing renewal reviewed on an annual basis.
• This position is classified under the professional research staff category at NYU and does not qualify for visa sponsorship including STEM OPT extension.

NYU is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity employer.

This position is full-time and includes a generous benefits package. In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $80,000- $95.000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.