About

• Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).  

Program/Department Description

• Community Access’s OMH licensed Intensive Crisis Residence (ICR) is inspired by the Soteria model and is designed as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for people going through an acute psychiatric crisis and who would benefit from a respite period in a stabilizing, home-like environment with 24-hour peer support and treatment services. The Soteria ICR will work with guests for up to 28 days to help them develop awareness and skills that will allow them to return to the community with an increased ability to manage their mental health concerns. The ICR will follow a Soteria model which emphasizes shared running of a home-like environment, positive expectations of recovery, validation of subjective experiences, the concept of “being with” a person, providing 1:1 support, 24 hours a day, and self-determination. Services are completely voluntary, and guests are encouraged to maintain their daily responsibilities and activities in the community during their stay including work, school, family care, recreation, and wellness appointments. The program works with guests throughout their stay on discharge planning focused on safety and wellness, and provides post-discharge follow up health resource navigation support.

Position Overview

• The Program Director is responsible for the overall administration and the day-to-day operation of the Soteria Intensive Crisis Respite (ICR), ensuring all contractual obligations are met and all operations are mission-aligned. This includes establishing and maintaining a culture of accountable, supportive leadership and supervision that promotes quality assurance and professionalism. The Program Director develops and refines the program’s policy and procedure manual, oversees staff recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation, management of the physical site, quality assurance improvement activities, audit preparedness, and complete internal and external reporting. The Program Director provides 24/7 on-call support on a rotating schedule shared with other program leadership.

• Job Qualifications

• * Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• * Licensed Master's of Social Work, or related licensure, required. 
• * Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years management experience working in a social service or related setting, with people diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities and people struggling with substance use, preferred.
• * Lived experience with mental health services, preferred.
• * Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• * Previous experience working with adults with psychiatric disabilities utilizing the recovery model.
• * A respect for, and high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis.
• * Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
• * Knowledge of and commitment to peer support, recovery-oriented practice, wellness and alternative approaches to supporting individuals experiencing psychosis.
• * Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery.
• * Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• * Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• * Ability to utilize various cloud-based computer apps and programs including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• * Be creative and flexible.
• * Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
• * Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• * Ability to walk up several flights of stairs.
• * Ability to work in the field (using public transportation).
• * Bilingual Spanish-speaking, preferred. Ability to speak other relevant languages, preferred.
• * Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• * Strong analytical ability.

• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs [https://www.communityaccess.org/jobs].

• Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.

• Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.

• We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as 

• having a personal experience using mental health services. www.communityaccess.org [https://www.communityaccess.org/]