Are you looking for a meaningful career with an organization that is making a positive and lasting change within our communities? If you have been searching for a role to fulfill your sense of purpose, while surrounded by a team of like-minded individuals, then Operation New Hope is the place for you!

Operation New Hope is a nonprofit operating in Jacksonville, Orlando, St. Johns County, the Space Coast, Tampa, and St. Petersburg, Florida. Our pre-release and post-release programs provide job training and placement, and comprehensive support services to people returning from incarceration and others who have been affected by the justice system with the goal of facilitating successful transitions back into the community. We motivate our clients to become productive, responsible citizens, and our programs help prevent recidivism, reduce the repeated costs of incarceration, and improve public safety. Our dedicated team supports career opportunities, mental health, and overall stability of our clients to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Operation New Hope has partnered with the City of Orlando, Community Violence Intervention Initiative to provide Mental Health counseling services and workshops to reduce violence and gun violence in the Orlando area.

Position Overview: The Mental Health Therapist position will play a critical role in the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Initiative, which is focused on reducing gun violence and supporting disadvantaged populations. This position will work with at-risk adolescent clients ages 18-24 (ages may vary). The Mental Health Therapist will complete Biopsychosocial assessments on each new client to provide a complete picture of client’s biological, psychological, and social needs and probable response to treatment. This position functions as part of the Ready4Change team in supporting the clients’ adjustment and working closely with the Job Coaches, Peacekeepers, NCAs, and Field Coordinators to address any potential barriers to success. The Mental Health Therapist provides group therapy, and individual and family sessions as needed. This role will work to restore community trust in the mental health services system by increasing access to care, improving intake processes, and enhancing mental health education. The therapist will conduct individual and group therapy sessions, provide educational workshops, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic support for participants.

Reports to: Ready4Work Director, Central Florida

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides mental health services to clients in local community centers or in an office setting.
• Conducts comprehensive Biopsychosocial Assessments on each new client, providing a mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis.
• Provides ongoing individual mental counseling; providing appropriate therapeutic interventions and methods to assist clients in reaching their goals.
• Provides ongoing individual mental health counseling and facilitates group therapy sessions using various therapeutic modalities, tailoring approaches to meet the needs of each client.
• Assists in crisis intervention services and collaborates with local agencies to provide appropriate referrals.
• Responds to and manages crisis situations effectively, ensuring safety and well-being of clients.
• Collaborates with other local agencies to ensure integrated and comprehensive care for clients.
• Advocates for clients’ needs and rights, working to enhance their overall well-being within the community.
• Maintains professional standards through compliance with quality assurance policies/procedures as well as applicable regulations and corporate policies.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary team staffing and case consultation.
• Refers client to continuity of care providers as needed.
• Assesses for acute S/H/I as needed and maintains No Harm contracts if indicated.
• Documents client progress in groups.
• Ensures all assigned client documentation is entered in electronic record as required in timely manner including groups, individual counseling sessions, and crisis interventions.
• Assists in discharge planning as required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience / Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university required.
• Candidates must either be registered with the Board and approved as a RCSWI in the State of Florida seeking their LCSW licensure, or already licensed under FS chapter 491 as LMHC, LCSW, or LMFT.
• At least one year of experience working with a marginalized or challenged population.
• At least two years of experience assessing, diagnosing, and treating substance use disorders.
• Two or more years of experience performing Biopsychosocial assessments, treatment planning and maintaining progress notes.
• Knowledge of the Trauma Informed Care model.
• Experience in providing crisis intervention services, individual and family sessions, preparing and conducting therapeutic groups.
• Knowledge of BA52 statute and process.
• Understanding of various levels of care in community mental health including local resources.
• Bilingual; able to read, write, and speak English and Spanish proficiently, required.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with staff, clients, family members, and employers as needed.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Possess a passion for social justice.
• Comfortable using computers, running reports, and learning new software.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and electronic client records.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs.

The wage range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At Operation New Hope, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Job Type: Full-time

Location: Orlando, FL

We offer a 35 hour work week, which may vary for this position, and have a robust benefits package for our employees, including free medical, short-term disability, life insurance, and an employee discount program to name a few! We primarily follow the Federal Holiday schedule (paid) and employees are eligible for paid time off after 90 days of employment.

With 25 years of experience in providing job readiness training and supportive services to people affected by the criminal justice system, Operation New Hope is a leader in the field. We have built our reputation and track record on the belief that we all deserve a second chance. Our Ready4Release, Ready4Work, and Ready4Success programs builds stronger communities by creating opportunities for people impacted by the criminal justice system to become productive, responsible citizens saving taxpayers millions of dollars by avoiding repeated high costs of incarceration, dramatically improving public safety and reuniting families.

Our work has been praised by the last four White House Administrations, as well as law enforcement officers, business leaders, and representatives at the federal, state, and local levels. Internationally, we have been recognized by House of Mandela as a model program. We expanded into the Tampa/St. Petersburg area in July of 2024, and plan additional expansion throughout the State of Florida in the years to come.

We are close-knit community of passionate, like-minded professionals, who make life-changing opportunities possible every day—empowering individuals impacted by the criminal justice system to rebuild their lives and move beyond their pasts. We provide access to customized solutions for people to rebuild their lives—services and support not provided by the criminal justice system. We are honest, respectful, and forthright in our actions, adhering to the highest ethical standards. We listen and learn from each other and align ourselves with partners to leverage our collective capabilities in creating an inclusive environment. We are passionate about our mission, committed to our communities and work every day to earn their trust. We approach each opportunity with the belief that nothing is impossible, challenging everyone to make a difference.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• assessing, diagnosing, and treating substance use disorders: 2 years (Preferred)
• performing Biopsychosocial assessments: 2 years (Preferred)
• treatment planning and maintaining progress notes: 2 years (Preferred)
• working with a marginalized or challenged population: 1 year (Preferred)
• Microsoft Office: 2 years (Preferred)
• Electronic Client Records: 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• read and write English and Spanish fluently (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• RCSWI, or LMHC, LCSW or LMFT license under FS chapter 491 (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Orlando, FL 32801 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Orlando, FL 32801: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person