BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS - 60932627
About The Position
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program, is hiring a Behavioral Health Consultant OPS in Regional Operations. The position provides clinical expertise to help identify parents in the child welfare system who have behavioral health conditions, with particular focus on opioid use and other substance misuse disorders. The consultant works with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs), dependency case managers, community providers, and other partners to improve staff expertise, family engagement, and access to treatment, recovery supports, and resources. The role is based in a regional office and is not telework. The position also supports emergency response. During emergencies, the employee may work irregular or extended hours, including weekends and holidays, at locations other than the official headquarters, and may perform duties beyond the usual position description. The employee may deploy to disaster-affected communities within 24–48 hours, assess community needs, help develop and implement response plans, coordinate psychological and mental health resources, and provide information to regional leadership.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in a health- or human-services-related field.
- Three years of experience treating substance use disorders.
- Valid Class E driver license.
- Knowledge of data collection and analysis methods and basic management principles and practices.
- Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data; develop recommendations; solve problems; document workflows and operational activities; and organize information for reports and other written materials.
- Ability to conduct fact-finding research and use problem-solving techniques.
- Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to operational and management analysis.
- Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments and manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively, demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, and establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of the impact of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on parenting ability and child safety.
- Knowledge of the child welfare system, with demonstrated expertise in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care approaches.
- Knowledge and experience in identifying and caring for substance-exposed newborns.
- Ability to respond effectively to emergency events and exercise sound clinical judgment under pressure.
- Ability to identify barriers to treatment access and navigate complex behavioral health systems to support families.
- Ability to work independently with minimal direction and collaboratively as part of a team.
Nice To Haves
- Florida license in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy, or status as a registered intern.
- Experience with the child welfare and behavioral health systems and knowledge of the impact of behavioral health conditions on parenting capacity.
- Experience in substance abuse prevention, treatment, or recovery support services.
- Experience coordinating community-based services for individuals or families.
- Certification as a Master’s-Level Addiction Professional.
- Experience with motivational interviewing.
Responsibilities
- Establish relationships with Child Protective Investigators in co-located office space and educate CPIs and dependency case managers about identifying behavioral health disorders, particularly opioid use disorders.
- Help investigative staff and dependency case managers understand how behavioral health conditions affect parent or caregiver behavior, including signs and symptoms of opioid disorders and effective engagement and treatment practices.
- Educate staff on medication-assisted treatment (MAT), provide field support and office consultation during pre- or post-commencement when investigations involve suspected or identified behavioral health needs, and demonstrate family engagement techniques in the field.
- Consult with investigative staff to identify danger threats, adult functioning, parental protective capacities, and safety management services.
- Maintain working knowledge of community mental health and substance use providers.
- Collaborate with community providers and the ME to develop contacts, facilitate referrals, and help investigative staff engage clients in recommended services and obtain timely treatment.
- Track referrals and treatment entry for parents with behavioral health disorders, especially substance misuse disorders.
- Support investigators in mitigating behavioral health issues and crises.
- Participate in legal, multidisciplinary, and other meetings that assist investigative staff and families.
- Deploy to disaster-affected communities within 24–48 hours of impact when required; assess impacts and needs, help develop response strategies and goals, and implement disaster response plans.
- Coordinate psychological and mental health resources and services for individuals, first responders, and communities affected by disasters.
- Provide critical information to the Regional Manager and Director of Regional Operations and Initiatives.
- Perform other duties as required to meet program and departmental goals and objectives.
Benefits
- Competitive employee benefits as part of the State of Florida total compensation package.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
