Mental Health Program Specialist 2, Central Office;
New York State
AgencyMental Health, Office of
TitleMental Health Program Specialist 2, Central Office;
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $84156 to $106454 Annually
Duties Description The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill a Mental Health Program Specialist 2, G-23, position in the Division of Forensic Services (DFS). DFS is the administrative unit within the New York State Office of Mental Health that is responsible for coordinating the delivery of mental health services to individuals involved with New York State's criminal justice system. Mental health services for justice-involved individuals in New York State have grown into a system of care that includes three Joint Commission accredited secure forensic psychiatric centers, two secure regional forensic units, a network of prison-based mental health satellite units and residential programs located within prison facilities, two secure treatment facilities for civilly confined sex offenders, a Diversion Center, and an array of community-based training and technical assistance services that enable local governmental units and law enforcement to better serve forensic mental health populations.
The incumbent of this position will work within the Forensic Administrative Services Unit (FASU), which is responsible for providing expert technical guidance to the forensic facilities, corrections-based operations, secure treatment facilities, DFS and the Diversion Center. The FASU also provides training and logistic support to the Diversion Center. The Diversion Center’s mission is to support jurisdictions in the development, implementation, evaluation and replication of initiatives to the reduce arrest and incarceration of persons with serious mental illness (SMI). Specific duties to be performed may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Oversee, manage, and implement training and meeting activities related to the Court Based Mental Health Navigators, the Aligning to Build Lasting Engagement (ABLE) team, and other diversion efforts.
Assess training needs of the forensic facilities and coordinate with the Bureau of Education and Workforce Development to provide relevant training programs and resources for facility staff.
Support the development and delivery of training session on best practices, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement initiatives.
Lead projects to review forensic facility policies and central office policies that govern forensic facility operations, ensuring they comply with regulations and best practices.
Liaison with other OMH divisions with a focus on regulatory/accreditation preparedness and quality of care initiatives.
Represent the Division of Forensic Services at intra and inter-agency meetings related to program development, budgeting, policies, and training.
Foster strong working relationships with forensic facilities, offering guidance and technical assistance to ensure programming aligns with operational goals and regulatory standards.
Assist with forensic facilities budget and staffing needs, monitor implementation and make recommendations for areas of improvement.
Collaborate with the forensic facilities to assess facility operations to identify gaps and provide recommendations for improvement; work with the facilities to problem solve operational challenges.
Provide recommendations for policy implementation and development/expansion of programs within facilities.
Utilize data to identify trends, assess areas for improvement, and develop actionable strategies to enhance facility performance.
Prepare reports and presentations summarizing findings.
Minimum Qualifications Transfer Opportunity:
Candidates must have permanent service as a Mental Health Program Specialist 2, Grade 23, and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having at least one year of permanent service in a qualifying title within two salary grades of the Grade 23 level.
55b/c Opportunity:
Individuals certified eligible for the 55b/c program under the Governor’s Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55b/c of the Civil Service Law will also be considered. In addition to a current 55b/c eligibility letter, candidates must possess a bachelor's or higher degree in a qualifying field as detailed below* AND three years of professional clinical or administrative experience in a mental health program. Please provide a copy of your eligibility letter with your application.
*Qualifying degrees: 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.
Additional Comments The Division of Forensic Services is conveniently located in independent offices on the grounds of the Capital District PC at 75 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York. Guaranteed covered parking is available for $5 per month.
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.
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.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
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 Avenue
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. Please include the title of the position and Vacancy ID #176079 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.