Habilitation Counselor

Company: Rutgers University
Location: Newark
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Posting Summary Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Habilitation Counselor for the Essex Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the Habilitation Counselor is to provide clinical assessments for the children’s mobile response and stabilization program in Essex County that meet quality and quantity standards within University Behavioral Health Care and the Department of Children and Families/Division of Children’s System of Care ( DCSOC ). Performs functions in support of the University Behavioral Health Care mission providing streamlined, prompt, and “consumer friendly” crisis response services. Receives telephone requests for service, undertakes crisis/strength-based assessment of the service need of the client or customer, responds by outreach to the family, assesses the youth and family strengths and current crisis situation, makes appropriate referrals for time-limited stabilization services, monitors effectiveness of services and makes linkages for aftercare. Demonstrates competency in recognizing the unique needs and applying relevant crisis stabilization approaches for children and adolescent and their families. Among the key duties of this position are the following: As part of the children’s mobile response and stabilization team, actively participates in ensuring the telephone calls/mobile response requests are handled in an effective and “consumer friendly” manner. Assesses telephone service requests/referrals and provides mobile response in accordance with prescribed children’s mobile response and stabilization procedures. Provides face-to-face interventions in the community including, but not limited to, families’ homes, schools, group homes, foster homes, shelters, and the detention center. Organizes transition and discharge form crisis services, connecting to ongoing services and family support groups. Acquires familiarity with agencies in Essex County that provides services to children, adolescents and their families that can provide crisis stabilization services and providing ongoing support/resources for the family. Completes appropriate documentation and utilization review. Conforms to unit policies relating to functional needs of the children’s mobile response and stabilization program. Actively and constructively contributes to the efficiency and productivity of unit operations. Overview Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care ( UBHC ), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC’s 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC , one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Keywords: Rutgers University, Scranton , Habilitation Counselor, Healthcare , Newark, Pennsylvania