New York State Office of Mental Health
Mental Health Program Specialist 1/Trainee, Central Office;
New York State Office of Mental Health, Albany, New York, United States
Mental Health Program Specialist 1/Trainee, Central Office
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting a Mental Health Program Specialist 1, Grade 18, for the Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center (BHCTAC) in the Central Office. The BHCTAC collaborates with agencies, the New York State Emergency Medical Services Council (SEMSCO), DHSES, and local community response systems to develop standardized protocols for a health‑led response to a behavioral health crisis.
Base Pay Range $53,764.00/yr - $85,138.00/yr
Duties Description
Assist in developing, implementing, and managing activities of the BHCTAC and related services.
Provide guidance and support to various stakeholders focusing on local government units on program requirements, best practices, and OMH and OASAS policies. Provide guidance to local government units and other stakeholders on centering, supporting and amplifying peer voice in policy and program development, and sustaining engagement of peers and individuals with lived experience through feedback.
Collaborate on monitoring and evaluating program outcomes, including developing metrics that are driven by peer advocates and individuals with lived experience, support continuous quality improvement, identify compliance issues, and reporting on service utilization and quality of care data.
Facilitate communication and coordinate efforts with various providers, community stakeholders, state agencies, and other NYS OMH divisions. Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, with a particular focus on peer advocates and individuals and families with lived experience, as well as other state agencies and community partners, to advance behavioral health initiatives.
Identify, especially through engagement with peer advocates and individuals and families with lived experience, and address systems barriers, resolve issues, and assist in navigating resources for crisis service response providers.
Collaborate on the monitoring and review of programs for compliance with policies, protocols, and standards, ensuring quality care and effective program outcomes, with a focus on including feedback from peer advocates and individuals and families with lived experience.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications 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 any of these fields can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
Preferred Qualifications The ideal candidate will have lived mental health experience from first‑hand personal knowledge, experience as a professional advocate or service provider, and/or a master’s or higher degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related areas. Experience in professional clinical, peer support, or administrative roles within a behavioral health program is preferred, as is a solid understanding of behavioral health issues, treatment modalities, and relevant regulations.
Additional Comments The starting salary will vary based on education and experience:
$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 benefits 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, and paid time off (inc. thirteen paid holidays per year, personal leave, vacation leave, and sick leave).
Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability will be discussed during the interview process; employees must apply and obtain approval through management per the Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. This title is part of the NY HELPS program; for the duration of NY HELPS, the title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment, and will later convert to competitive status.
Equal Opportunity Statement OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
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Base Pay Range $53,764.00/yr - $85,138.00/yr
Duties Description
Assist in developing, implementing, and managing activities of the BHCTAC and related services.
Provide guidance and support to various stakeholders focusing on local government units on program requirements, best practices, and OMH and OASAS policies. Provide guidance to local government units and other stakeholders on centering, supporting and amplifying peer voice in policy and program development, and sustaining engagement of peers and individuals with lived experience through feedback.
Collaborate on monitoring and evaluating program outcomes, including developing metrics that are driven by peer advocates and individuals with lived experience, support continuous quality improvement, identify compliance issues, and reporting on service utilization and quality of care data.
Facilitate communication and coordinate efforts with various providers, community stakeholders, state agencies, and other NYS OMH divisions. Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, with a particular focus on peer advocates and individuals and families with lived experience, as well as other state agencies and community partners, to advance behavioral health initiatives.
Identify, especially through engagement with peer advocates and individuals and families with lived experience, and address systems barriers, resolve issues, and assist in navigating resources for crisis service response providers.
Collaborate on the monitoring and review of programs for compliance with policies, protocols, and standards, ensuring quality care and effective program outcomes, with a focus on including feedback from peer advocates and individuals and families with lived experience.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications 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 any of these fields can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
Preferred Qualifications The ideal candidate will have lived mental health experience from first‑hand personal knowledge, experience as a professional advocate or service provider, and/or a master’s or higher degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related areas. Experience in professional clinical, peer support, or administrative roles within a behavioral health program is preferred, as is a solid understanding of behavioral health issues, treatment modalities, and relevant regulations.
Additional Comments The starting salary will vary based on education and experience:
$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 benefits 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, and paid time off (inc. thirteen paid holidays per year, personal leave, vacation leave, and sick leave).
Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability will be discussed during the interview process; employees must apply and obtain approval through management per the Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. This title is part of the NY HELPS program; for the duration of NY HELPS, the title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment, and will later convert to competitive status.
Equal Opportunity Statement OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr