Recovery Engagement Specialist (Part Time, 3p-11p)

Connections Health Solutions; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k matching

PTO (paid time off)

Parental leave

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Connections Health Solutions is seeking a Recovery Engagement Specialist for the RESET Center in San Francisco. This part-time role supports individuals in the sobering process using a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach.

You will monitor participants, document status, and foster a safe, empathetic environment alongside a multidisciplinary team. Strong communication and lived-experience are valued assets.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of personal recovery.
• Experience with diverse populations, including homelessness, substance use, and mental health crises.
• Must obtain Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training within 30 days of hire.
• Basic computer literacy and ability to document in an electronic health record (EHR).
• Ability to obtain and accurately record vital signs.
• BLS certification to be obtained during the first week of employment.
• Vaccination policy requires full vaccination or approved exemption before start date.

Responsibilities

• Take participant vital signs as delegated per protocol.
• Monitor sobering process and ensure participant well-being.
• Respond to participant needs with empathy and excellent customer service.
• Provide snacks, hydration, blankets, and comfort measures.
• Observe and document participant status in real time.
• Identify escalating or unsafe behavior and notify the team.
• Engage participants in supportive, non-judgmental ways and build rapport.
• Support safety and calm tone using trauma-informed communication.

Skills

Harm reduction

Trauma-informed care

Lived experience

Empathy

Education

High School Diploma

Personal recovery experience

Overdose Prevention training

Job description

Recovery Engagement Specialist (Part Time, 3p-11p)

Why join Connections

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, working in a mission-driven environment, and helping redefine behavioral health crisis care, we invite you to join us at Connections Health Solutions. Together, we’r e saving lives and changing the face of behavioral health.

A bout Connections

We’re not just behavioral health people— we’re crisis people . When individuals need support now, we provide immediate-access behavioral health crisis care that stabilizes, supports, and connects people to the resources they need to continue their recovery.

Founded by emergency room psychiatrists, our physician-led, data-driven model is backed by more than 15 years of crisis care expertise . Recognized by SAMHSA and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as a national best practice, we’ve delivered critical crisis care to thousands of people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Our mission is simple and unwavering: providing immediate care to people in crisis and connecting them to long-term support within their community.

About the RESET Center, operated by Connections

Located in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, the RESET Center provides an alternative destination for individuals who are found to be publicly intoxicated (due to alcohol and/or d rugs) and would otherwise be transported to the emergency department or jail.

In collaboration and partnership with local law enforcement and public health agencies, the RESET Center aims to effectively divert intoxicated individuals away from the criminal justice and/or healthcare systems to improve outcomes, reduce systemic burden, and support connection to needed resources within the community.

What You\'ll Do:

The Recovery Engagement Specialist at the RESET Center plays a vital role in creating a safe, calm, and supportive environment for community members under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs. The RESET Center provides an alternative destination for individuals who would otherwise be transported to the emergency department or jail—offering a compassionate, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach to care.

The Recovery Engagement Specialist supports individuals through the sobering process, perform basic monitoring, document participant status, foster trust and engagement, and ensure participant comfort, hydration, and safety. This role works as part of a coordinated multidisciplinary team and deeply values lived experience —including homelessness, recovery, incarceration, harm reduction engagement, and experiences with substance use as a source of expertise , connection, and credibility in supporting participants.

Participant Support & Monitoring

• Take participant vital signs as delegated per protocol.
• Monitor participants throughout the sobering process, ensuring adherence to guidelines and general well-being.
• Respond promptly to participant needs and requests with empathy, patience, and excellent customer service.
• Provide snacks, hydration, blankets, and other comfort measures to support safe sobering.
• Observe participant behavior and condition, completing required observation logs, rounds, and milieu documentation accurately and in real time.
• Identify escalating or unsafe behavior and promptly notify supervisory or clinical team members.

Engagement & Relationship Building

• Engage participants in supportive, compassionate, and non-judgmental ways, with respect for their individual experience and autonomy.
• Leverage personal or lived experience (where comfortable) to build trust, foster rapport, and demonstrate understanding of recovery and harm reduction pathways.
• Support safety and calm tone within the center through trauma-informed communication and de-escalation techniques.
• Assist with environmental cleanliness and sanitation, ensuring all spaces are organized, hygienic, and supportive of a dignified participant experience.
• Work collaboratively with other team members—including health workers, safety monitors, peers, and supervisors—to maintain an orderly, non-judgmental environment.

Training & Development

• Participate in ongoing training and development opportunities, including:
• Motivational interviewing
• Effects of alcohol and other substances
• Crisis and de-escalation practices
• Customer service and team-based care
• Performs all other duties as assigned
• Maintain proficiency with evolving program protocols and standards of care.

What You\'ll Bring:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• At least one year of personal recovery
• Experience working with diverse populations including:
  • Individuals experiencing substance use and intoxication
  • People living with homelessness or housing instability
  • Individuals impacted by the criminal legal system
  • People experiencing mental health crises
• Familiarity with:
  • Harm reduction
  • Restorative and recovery-oriented practice
  • Trauma-informed care
• Lived experience with substance use, recovery, homelessness, or incarceration is highly valued and actively welcomed
• Must obtain Overdose Prevention and Narcan Administration training within 30 days of hire
• Basic computer literacy, including the ability to document in an electronic health record (EHR)
• Ability to obtain and accurately record vital signs
• Strong attention to detail and ability to complete documentation in a timely manner
• Ability to successfully complete Basic Life Support (BLS) certification during the first week of employment
• The Company has a mandatory vaccination policy. All successful applicants must be fully vaccinated, including showing proper documentation, or otherwise be exempt pursuant to the Company’s exemption process prior to their start date as a condition of employment

It would be great if you had:

• Possess at least two (2) of the following:
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
  • Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Certification and 2 years’ experience working in crisis, detox, or treatment environments
  • Crisis De-Escalation Training certification
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • Emergency or field-based work experience

What We Offer:

Full-time only:

• Employees (and their families) are offered comprehensive health insurance, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
• CHS pays for Basic Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life insurance option for employees and their families
• Health Savings Accounts (with $1,000 to $2,000 employer contribution depending on plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care, dependent care, and commuter benefits for eligible transportation expenses)
• 401k company match after 6 months (50% of deferrals up to 6% of compensation)
• Generous PTO starting at 160 hours accrued annually and 12 recognized company holidays
• Company‑paid parental leave available to eligible employees

All employees (Pool, Part-time and Full-time):

• Employee Assistance Program to help with confidential emotional support, work life solutions, financial solutions, legal assistance, or online support
• After 90 days, you are auto enrolled in the 401k Plan

Connections Health Solutions is proud to be a Second Chance Employer.

Connections Health Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

Actual compensation is based on relevant experience, education, internal equity, and budget.

$23 - $27.09 USD

EEO Statement

Connections Health Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees and applicants.