Client Navigator– Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services; Jersey City (NJ); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision insurance

403(b)/401(a) with employer match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services is seeking a Client Navigator to support individuals with substance use disorders in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties. You will coordinate services, advocate for clients, and connect them with housing, benefits, treatment, and civil legal assistance.

The role emphasizes holistic, client-centered care, collaboration with attorneys, and community partners. Spanish proficiency is highly valued; travel across counties is required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or higher required in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Psychology, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in case management, behavioral health, recovery services, social services, healthcare, nonprofit services, or related fields.
• Experience with individuals with substance use disorders, mental health needs, trauma histories, or vulnerable populations preferred.
• Experience in a legal services program or nonprofit serving under-resourced individuals is a plus.
• Knowledge of New Jersey resources, public assistance programs, housing resources, and recovery networks.
• Strong organizational, communication, relationship-building, and documentation skills.
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct client engagement, resource coordination, advocacy, and supportive case management services.
• Coordinate referrals and ongoing relationships with treatment providers, recovery programs, healthcare systems, shelters, county agencies, and community-based organizations.
• Assist clients in identifying and overcoming non-legal barriers impacting recovery, treatment engagement, housing stability, or legal outcomes.
• Collaborate with the case manager, attorneys, and staff to identify and address barriers to healthcare and treatment adherence.
• Develop and maintain resource guides, referral pathways, outreach relationships, and supportive service protocols.
• Assist with monitoring quality assurance, documentation standards, client follow-up practices, and program compliance requirements.
• Assist with grant reporting, regional tracking, data collection, outcome measurement, and compliance activities.
• Participate in trainings related to SUD, trauma-informed care, cultural competence, crisis intervention, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Travel regularly throughout Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson Counties to support outreach and program operations.
• Assist with other duties as needed to ensure delivery of services.

Skills

Case management

Behavioral health

Nonprofit services

Spanish language

Education

Associate’s Degree or higher

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Job description

Company Description Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) is a private non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to ensuring equal access to justice for residents of Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties who are experiencing poverty. NNJLS provides free civil legal representation to underserved individuals and families, focusing on matters such as housing, consumer issues, family law, and public benefits. The organization also offers community legal education to help the public understand their rights and responsibilities. In addition to its core areas, NNJLS operates specialized programs serving veterans, seniors, students, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, recent immigrants, people living with HIV or AIDS, formerly incarcerated individuals, people experiencing homelessness, and residents facing federal income tax issues with the IRS.

The Client Navigator at NNJLS supports a regional initiative serving individuals residing in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties with substance use disorders (SUD) who are facing civil legal barriers impacting recovery and stability.

The Client Navigator will work with NNJLS staff to ensure supportive service coordination within a legal services environment for clients who are currently using substances or in recovery. The Client Navigator will work closely with the Case Manager, attorneys, community providers, and recovery programs to help clients access critical social services and supports related but not limited to housing, government assistance programs and benefits, treatment, transportation, recovery resources, family stability, and other civil legal needs.

The Client Navigator will also support program development, quality control, grant compliance, and community partnerships.

• Provide direct client engagement, resource coordination, advocacy, and supportive case management services as needed.
• Coordinate referrals and ongoing relationships with treatment providers, recovery programs, healthcare systems, shelters, county agencies, and community-based organizations.
• Assist clients in identifying and overcoming non-legal barriers that may impact recovery, treatment engagement, housing stability, or successful legal outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the case manager, attorneys, and staff to help identify and address legal barriers to healthcare and treatment adherence by supporting a holistic, client-centered service delivery.
• Develop and maintain resource guides, referral pathways, outreach relationships, and supportive service protocols.
• Assist with monitoring quality assurance, documentation standards, client follow-up practices, and program compliance requirements.
• Assist with grant reporting, regional tracking, data collection, outcome measurement, and compliance activities.
• Participate in and support training initiatives related to substance use disorders, trauma-informed care, cultural competence, crisis intervention, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Travel regularly throughout Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson Counties to support outreach, partnerships, and program operations.
• Assist with other duties as needed to ensure effective delivery of services to clients.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or higher required in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Psychology, Public Health, or related field. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in case management, behavioral health, recovery services, social services, healthcare, nonprofit services, or related fields.
• Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders, mental health needs, trauma histories, or vulnerable populations strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a legal services program or other non-profit serving under-resourced individuals is a plus.
• Knowledge of New Jersey community resources, public assistance programs, housing resources, and recovery support networks.
• Strong organizational, communication, relationship-building, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.

Salary/Benefits

NNJLS provides an attractive starting salary range of $55,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits and PTO package including but not limited to, comprehensive health/dental/life insurance, 401(a) with 10% employer contribution and 403(b) retirement plans, 15 days-vacation to start, 15 days paid holidays, flexible hybrid remote work schedules, and in-house trainings that offer CLE credit if eligible. Employment at NNJLS also provides access to federal loan forgiveness programs for those that qualify. NNJLS is an equal opportunity employer, including supporting individuals with a disability and veterans. For more information about NNJLS, please visit our website www.northeastnjlegalservices.org