Program Specialist

The Program Specialist is responsible for coordinating and delivering clinical interventions and services for adults and juveniles as part of a violence interruption and diversion (VID) program. The VID program is designed for individuals who are either facing a charge or have been charged with a crime and meet certain program eligibility around charge-type. The VID program includes structured set of sessions that address a variety of needs including grief and trauma, violence prevention, coping skills, psychoeducation, and connection to ongoing community resources. The Program Specialist will collaborate with prosecutors, justice agencies, and community service providers in Atlantic County, New Jersey, to ensure eligible participants are referred appropriately and lines of communication remain strong. Familiarity with Atlantic County and its resources is essential. The position requires frequent travel within communities and to project sites, and a flexible schedule. The Program Specialist’s responsibilities will be carried out under the supervision of the WEI Project Director who is leading the overall initiative in New Jersey.

WEI highly values diverse life experiences and backgrounds, including prior involvement in the criminal justice system. People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the position, additional outside work is not allowed.

Key Responsibilities:

· Deliver clinical interventions and services to individuals in the violence interruption and diversion program.

o Delivery of programming and services in person and over virtual platforms.

o Contacts, schedules, and coordinates appointments with participants.

o Use motivational engagement techniques to support, encourage, and retain participants in programming and services

o Interacts with designated members of participant families and/or social circle to support overall well-being and program success.

· Maintain adherence to the project programming/services protocol.

· Participate in fidelity monitoring of programming and service delivery.

· Maintain frequent contact with Project Director over program delivery including providing feedback if modifications to programming sessions occur.

· Actively and regularly participate in team meetings.

· Engage with other team members in reviewing project participant progress toward goals.

· Fully participates in training and continued education for skill development as required by WEI.

· Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• LSW, LCSW, LMHC, LPC or related licensure required.
• Must have a master’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related counseling field.
• Must be eligible to pass and maintain security clearance in correctional settings.
• Ability to adapt to various work hours, including evenings and weekends, when needed.
• Knowledge of mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and other related populations.
• Experience providing evidence-based programming and practices to vulnerable populations.
• Must have reliable transportation and a current and active driver’s license.
• Must have reliable internet and phone access.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training certification is highly preferred.
• Experience delivering manualized interventions.
• Ability to engage effectively with colleagues through verbal and written communication.
• Skilled in writing and maintaining computer-based records in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations and psychiatric emergencies utilizing appropriate crisis intervention techniques.
• High levels of familiarity and/or experience in working with criminal justice-involved populations.
• Familiarity and/or training in motivational interviewing, solution-focused brief therapy, cognitive behavioral approaches, and/or strengths-based focus therapy.
• Highly organized, self-starter with good interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills

Location:

This position is location-specific and must be in, or within driving distance of Mays Landing, NJ for the duration of employment.

Work Environment & Benefits:

• Salary range: $70,000 -$83,200 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Collaborative and mission-driven culture dedicated to equity, innovation, and professional development.
• Health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement benefits.
• Generous paid time off
• Some evenings and weekends work is required
• WEI will pay for mileage in an employee's personal vehicle when travel is over 50 miles round trip in a given day for project activities.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume to Rachel@wellbeingandequity.org

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

WEI is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to create a workplace that celebrates diversity and includes perspectives from backgrounds that vary by race, ethnicity, social background, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, and national origin. We strive to be an antiracist organization, continuously challenging ourselves and using our influence to support a culture of learning, empowerment, and equity. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of and concern for equity issues and an understanding of how disparity influences the experiences of people impacted by the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $83,200.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mays Landing, NJ 08330