BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS - 60934076

State of Florida • West Palm Beach, FL

25d • $29 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) to provide clinical expertise within the child welfare system. This regional position, which can be housed in the West Palm Beach Office, focuses on supporting parents and caregivers with behavioral health needs, particularly substance use disorders and opioid misuse. The BHC will work closely with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs) and dependency case managers to improve the identification of behavioral health concerns, enhance family engagement, and ensure timely access to appropriate treatment and support services. This is not a telework position, and the candidate will be required to work in the West Palm Beach Office.

Requirements

• Florida license in the areas of psychology, social work, mental health counseling, family and marriage therapy or registered intern, or master’s level Certified Addiction Professional. Acceptable: LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, MCAP, Licensed Psychologist
• A minimum of three years of experience treating substance use disorders.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare and behavioral health systems and knowledge related to the impact of behavioral health conditions on parenting capacity.
• Knowledge/understanding of the impact of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on parenting ability and child safety.
• Valid Driver License
• Strong working knowledge of the child welfare system, with demonstrated expertise in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care approaches preferred.
• A minimum of three years of experience in the treatment of substance use disorders.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of how substance use, and mental health conditions affect parenting capacity and can compromise child safety.
• Proficiency in the identification and care of substance-exposed newborns is essential.
• Respond effectively to emergency events, demonstrating sound clinical judgment under pressure.
• Strong written communication skills are critical, including the ability to produce clear, thorough, and professional reports and presentations.
• Ability to evaluate and identify barriers to treatment access and navigate complex behavioral health systems to support families effectively.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required, along with the ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the child welfare system and motivational interviewing is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Consult and collaborate with CPI and dependency case managers to help frontline staff identify behavioral health disorders, particularly substance use disorders, enhance family engagement, and improve access to appropriate treatment, recovery support, and community resources.
• Actively build relationships with investigative staff within co-located offices, providing regular education on behavioral health indicators, the effects of behavioral health conditions on parenting behavior, and engagement strategies.
• Educate and train investigative staff and case managers on the use and benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
• Provide both in-field and office-based consultation during the pre- and post-commencement phases of child protection investigations.
• Participate in joint visits with CPIs, model effective family engagement techniques, and offer guidance on best practices for working with families affected by behavioral health issues, particularly opioid misuse.
• Assist CPIs in understanding how a parent’s behavioral health condition may impact their ability to safely and effectively care for their child.
• Identify and recommend appropriate treatment and referral resources within the community to support the family’s specific needs.
• Partner with behavioral health providers and the Managing Entity (ME) to maintain current knowledge of referral processes and treatment options, helping CPIs connect families to the most appropriate levels of care.
• Track and document all cases where the BHC provides support to child welfare staff, including staffings, joint visits, consultations, brief assessments, and any additional tracking as directed by the department, especially those impacted by substance use disorders.
• Participate in legal proceedings, multidisciplinary meetings, and family navigation staffings to support case progression and improve outcomes for children and families.
• Offer subject-matter expertise in the identification and care of substance-exposed newborns, including providing consultation on treatment options, supporting care coordination for mothers and infants, and ensuring access to early intervention and family stabilization services.
• May be called upon to perform duties beyond those outlined in this description to meet emergent organizational or regional needs.
• Work extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and potentially operating from outside assigned duty location.
• Travel is required throughout the state and may include overnight stays.
• May also be called upon to assist with disaster recovery efforts and participate in Critical Incident Rapid Response Team (CIRRT) case investigations as needed throughout the state.
• Assess the impact, needs and assist with the development of a response strategy and goals for the impacted community and implement disaster response plans.
• Coordinate psychological and mental health resources and services for individuals, first responders, and communities impacted by disasters.
• Provide critical information to the Regional Manager and Director of Regional Operations and Initiatives.

Benefits

• State Group Insurance coverage options (for OPS employees who are reasonably expected to work 30 hours or more per week on average), including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Savings & Spending Accounts
• 401 (a) FICA Alternative Plan administered through VALIC

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level