Review Vacancy
AgencyMental Health, Office of
TitleMental Health Program Specialist 1/Trainee, Central Office;
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $53764 to $85138 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Duties Description The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill one Mental Health Program Specialist 1, Grade 18, position in the Division of Crisis Services, Crisis Stabilization/Residential Unit. Under the direction of the Mental Health Program Specialist 3 Clinical, the Mental Health Program Specialist 1, G-18 will work to support the implementation and quality of Crisis Stabilization Centers (CSC) and Crisis Residences, with a focus on Residential Crisis Support and Intensive Crisis Residence for adults.
Residential Crisis Support and Intensive Crisis Residence Program are short-term (up to 28 days) residential programs for treatment and support to individuals who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, psychiatric crisis, or are experiencing challenges in daily life that create risk for an escalation of psychiatric symptoms that cannot reasonably be managed in the person's home and/or community environment without onsite supports and do not pose likelihood of serious harm.
Crisis Respite Services are non-licensed 24/7 residential programs, or dedicated beds in a licensed program, which provide consumers room and board in a supervised homelike environment.
The Specialist will also support, as needed, the other programs in the unit, including Crisis Stabilization Centers and Children’s Crisis Residences, and Crisis Stabilization Centers which provide urgent treatment, support, and assistance to children and adults experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis. There are both Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center and Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center program models. Children’s Crisis Residence Programs are short-term (up to 21 days) residential programs for treatment and support to individuals who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, psychiatric crisis, or are experiencing challenges in daily life that create risk for an escalation of psychiatric symptoms that cannot reasonably be managed in the person's home and/or community environment without onsite supports and do not pose likelihood of serious harm.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Assist with oversight of the development and implementation of Crisis Residences and Crisis Respite programs. Through appropriate project management, ensure that developing programs are progressing in all aspects necessary for becoming operational. Identify challenges and barriers and work toward resolution with appropriate consultation and stakeholder engagement.
• Under the direction of the program lead, review, monitor, and evaluate assigned Crisis Residence and Crisis Respite programs. Maintain and regularly review program trackers, workplans, databases, and other resources to ensure assigned programs are implemented with fidelity and achieving expected outcomes. Identify risks or problems and ensure they are reported to leadership as appropriate.
• Support the provision of technical assistance for internal and external stakeholders. Ensure that appropriate guidance and technical assistance is provided in a timely and professional manner. Consult supervisor for necessary clarifications on policies and regulations as appropriate.
• Advance recommendations to enhance existing programs to the supervisor and, as applicable, Division leadership. Ensure strategic recommendations are aligned with program goals, objectives and outcomes and share supporting documentation with the supervisor and leadership. Implement approved changes once stakeholder support is facilitated.
• Collect and review program data for assigned programs to identify trends, needs, and gaps. Submit required data reports and make informed recommendations.
• Develop and revise program models, progress indicators, performance measures, legal frameworks, guidance, policies, plans and documents for assigned mental health programs in a timely manner and in compliance with all policies, laws and bet practice standards.
• Complete additional data creation, collection and review as needed.
• Assist, as needed, to provide support and guidance to inform the development of crisis provider training.
• Support and participate in learning collaboratives for providers.
• Coordinate and attend meetings with internal and external stakeholders for assigned programs. Record and distribute meeting minutes as assigned.
• Participate in available training to increase knowledge and expertise in mental health service provision.
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications Under the NY HELPS Program:
A bachelor's degree in child and family studies, counseling and community psychology, creative arts therapy, criminal justice, health administration, hospital administration, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, nursing, psychoanalysis, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, recreation therapy, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, or special education AND two years of professional clinical or administrative experience in a federal or state operated, licensed, certified, or funded mental health program.
A master's degree in child and family studies, counseling and community psychology, creative arts therapy, criminal justice, health administration, hospital administration, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, nursing, psychoanalysis, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, recreation therapy, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, or special education can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 1: Candidate’s must possess a bachelor's or higher degree in child and family studies, counseling and community psychology, creative arts therapy, criminal justice, health administration, hospital administration, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, nursing, psychoanalysis, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, recreation therapy, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, or special education.
Advanced placement to the Trainee 2 or Journey level may be possible depending on education and experience.
Transfer Opportunity:
Candidates must be employed by New York State to be eligible. In order to be eligible for transfer, candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c service as a Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 1, Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 2, or Mental Health Program Specialist 1 and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have lived mental health experience from first-hand, personal knowledge and understanding gained from directly navigating and receiving services and supports as an element of their recovery. Preferred candidate will have experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of mental health. Preferred candidates will also hold a master's or higher degree in a field such as psychology, social work, counseling, or related areas. Experience in professional clinical, peer support, or administrative roles within a behavioral health program is preferred. Candidates with a solid understanding of behavioral health issues, treatment modalities, and relevant regulations are encouraged to apply.
Generally speaking, this role requires strong clinical and administrative skills; excellent interpersonal skills; excellent communication and writing skills with professionals with both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds.
Additional Comments The starting salary for this position will vary based on the selected candidate’s education and/or experience. Candidates appointed at a trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary:
$53,764 (Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 1)
$59,994 (Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 2)
$66,951 (Mental Health Program Specialist 1, full performance level)
For current New York State employees, the starting salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire.
Employment with New York State offers unmatched benefits, individual support, and career mobility for motivated individuals including: NYS pension and retirement programs; annual cost of living and performance advance increases; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans; flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care; paid time off, including thirteen paid holidays per year, and paid personal leave, vacation leave, and sick leave.
The Mission of the New York State Office of Mental Health is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. OMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, OMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring OMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability for this position will be discussed during the interview process. Please note, employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to operational needs and Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of NY HELPS, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date, it is expected that employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address OMHHRM@OMH.NY.GOV
Address
Street NYS Office of Mental Health
44 Holland Ave
Notes on ApplyingTo be considered for this position, interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume in Microsoft Word or PDF format to omhhrm@omh.ny.gov that highlights how they meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position. Please include the title of the position and Vacancy ID #219884 in the subject line of your email when applying.
You are advised that, should you accept a job offer with the Office of Mental Health, you may be required to be fingerprinted and pay a fingerprint fee.