BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT - 60005052

State of Florida • NEW PORT RICHEY, FL

12d • $60,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides clinical expertise within the child welfare system, supporting the identification, engagement, and service resources of parents and caregivers with behavioral health needs, particularly substance use disorders and opioid misuse. The BHC works with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs) and dependency case managers to improve recognition of behavioral health concerns, family engagement, and timely access to appropriate treatment and support services.

The role includes in-field and office-based consultation during child protection investigations, joint visits, staff education and training, referral and care coordination, case documentation, and participation in legal proceedings and multidisciplinary meetings. The BHC also provides expertise on substance-exposed newborns and supports emergency and disaster response activities. The position is based in a regional office and is not telework. Statewide travel, potentially with overnight stays, is required. Extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, may be required, as may work outside the assigned duty location.

Requirements

• Hold a Florida license in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy, or be a registered intern; alternatively, hold a master’s-level Certified Addiction Professional credential. Listed acceptable credentials include LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, MCAP, and Licensed Psychologist.
• Have at least three years of experience treating substance use disorders.
• Have working knowledge of the child welfare and behavioral health systems and of how behavioral health conditions affect parenting capacity.
• Understand the effects of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on parenting ability and child safety.
• Have knowledge of the identification and care of substance-exposed newborns.
• Hold a valid driver license.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond effectively to emergency events and exercise sound clinical judgment under pressure.
• Have strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, thorough, professional reports and presentations.
• Be able to identify barriers to treatment access and navigate complex behavioral health systems to support families.
• Have strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Have strong organizational skills and the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Work extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, when required.
• Travel throughout Florida, potentially with overnight stays, and work at locations outside the assigned duty location when required.
• Complete required state and national criminal history and background screening before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Experience or expertise in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care approaches.

Responsibilities

• Consult and collaborate with Child Protective Investigators and dependency case managers to identify behavioral health disorders, strengthen family engagement, and improve access to treatment, recovery support, and community resources.
• Build relationships with investigative staff and provide education on behavioral health indicators, effects of behavioral health conditions on parenting, engagement strategies, and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
• Provide in-field and office-based consultation during pre- and post-commencement phases of child protection investigations.
• Participate in joint visits with CPIs, model effective family engagement, and advise on working with families affected by behavioral health issues, particularly opioid misuse.
• Help CPIs understand how a parent’s behavioral health condition may affect safe and effective caregiving, and identify appropriate community treatment and referral resources.
• Coordinate with behavioral health providers and the Managing Entity to stay current on referral processes and treatment options and help connect families to suitable levels of care.
• Track and document cases in which the BHC supports child welfare staff, including staffings, joint visits, consultations, brief assessments, and other required tracking.
• Participate in legal proceedings, multidisciplinary meetings, and family navigation staffings to support case progression and outcomes for children and families.
• Provide expertise on identifying and caring for substance-exposed newborns, advise on treatment options, support care coordination for mothers and infants, and help ensure access to early intervention and family stabilization services.
• Respond to emergency events, including deployment to disaster-affected communities within 24–48 hours, assessing community needs, helping develop and implement response plans, coordinating psychological and mental health resources, and providing information to regional leadership.
• Assist with disaster recovery efforts and participate in Critical Incident Rapid Response Team (CIRRT) case investigations as needed throughout the state.
• Perform additional duties as needed to meet emergent organizational or regional needs.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Free $25,000 life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional life insurance
• Dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Tuition waiver for public college courses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed