Lead Residential Support Specialist- CSS

Behavioral Health Network (BHN) is a leading statewide provider of behavioral health services and a Certified Great Place to Work. Since 1938, BHN has helped individuals, families, and communities thrive through compassionate, high-quality care and support. With deep roots in Western Massachusetts and a growing presence in communities throughout the state, we are currently seeking a Lead Residential Support Specialist to join our Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS) team and help advance our mission of empowering people to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

What We Offer:

• Purpose-Driven Work – Make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout Western Massachusetts.
• Professional Growth – Access ongoing training, mentorship, career development, and advancement opportunities across one of the region's largest behavioral health organizations.
• Supportive Team Culture – Join a collaborative workplace guided by our HEART values: Humanity, Empowerment, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.
• Stability & Opportunity – Build your career with a well-established organization serving Western Massachusetts since 1938.
• Comprehensive Benefits – Generous PTO, 403(b), educational assistance, medical, dental, vision, employee assistance programs, and more.
• Certified Great Place to Work – Work for an organization recognized for creating a positive and engaging employee experience.

What You Will Do:

• Provide direct, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented support in a safe, structured Clinical Stabilization Services residence for adults with substance-use and co-occurring behavioral health needs.
• Serve as an experienced shift resource for Residential Support Specialists by modeling expectations, coordinating shift priorities, and communicating concerns to program leadership without formal supervisory authority.
• Build respectful relationships and promote recovery, independence, informed choice, dignity, harm reduction, relapse prevention, healthy routines, group participation, self-advocacy, and preparation for the next level of care.
• Monitor physical health, behavioral health, recovery progress, and overall well-being; recognize changes or urgent concerns and collaborate promptly with nursing, clinical, medical, and program leadership.
• Support medication administration and treatment routines, review medication supplies and records, address discrepancies, and maintain accurate documentation in accordance with prescriber orders and program requirements.
• Use trauma-informed de-escalation and crisis-prevention strategies, coordinate an appropriate response to emergencies, and follow all incident-reporting, health, safety, infection-control, and fire-safety procedures.
• Support admissions, appointments, transportation, discharge planning, and connections to outpatient treatment, medications for addiction treatment, housing, benefits, peer supports, and other recovery resources.
• Review shift documentation for completeness and accuracy and complete required electronic and program records within established timelines.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, welcoming, and substance-free environment by coordinating household tasks, supplies, meals, safety checks, and reporting maintenance concerns.
• Participate in shift communication, team meetings, supervision, required training, quality-improvement activities, and other responsibilities assigned by program leadership.

Who You Are:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least two years of direct-care experience required, preferably in substance-use treatment, behavioral health, recovery services, or a residential setting; ability to serve as a positive role model and experienced shift resource is essential.
• Valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle available during working hours required.
• Commitment to recovery, harm reduction, individual empowerment, informed choice, human rights, dignity, safety, and successful community integration.
• Ability to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed support to adults with substance-use and co-occurring behavioral health needs.
• Knowledge of residential operations, medication routines, health and safety, crisis prevention, relapse prevention, recovery planning, and transitions between levels of care.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, leadership, verbal, and written communication skills, including sound judgment and the ability to remain calm and professional in urgent or emotionally challenging situations.
• Strong organization, documentation, observation, problem-solving, computer, electronic health record, and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and frequent interruptions.
• Ability to complete and maintain required training, including First Aid, CPR, medication administration when applicable, crisis prevention, human rights, infection control, fire safety, and Massachusetts DPH/BSAS requirements.
• Ability to work assigned shifts in a 24-hour residential program and meet the physical requirements of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

We Hire for HEART!

Since 1938, BHN has delivered high-quality, culturally responsive behavioral health care, building deep roots in Western Massachusetts while expanding our impact in communities throughout the state. Our core values—Humanity, Empowerment, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork—guide how we lead, serve, and support one another. If you’re ready to bring your skills and experience to a mission-driven organization where your work can make a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Pay Range: $22.00-$25.27/hr