BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS - 60932601

State of Florida•LEESBURG, FL

8d•$29 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Consultant OPS is a professional position within Regional Operations at the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program. The role provides clinical expertise to help identify parents in the child welfare system with behavioral health conditions, particularly opioid use and other substance misuse disorders. The consultant works with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs), dependency case managers, community service providers, and other partners to improve staff expertise, family engagement, referrals, and timely access to treatment and recovery supports. This is an onsite position based in the Regional Office and is not telework eligible. The position also supports emergency and disaster response. During emergency events, the incumbent may work irregular or extended hours, including weekends and holidays, work outside the official headquarters, and perform duties beyond the regular position description. The incumbent may deploy to disaster-affected communities within 24–48 hours to help assess needs, coordinate psychological and mental health services, implement response plans, and report relevant 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; and document workflows and operational or management activities.
Ability to organize data for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials and conduct fact-finding research.
Ability to use problem-solving techniques and apply relevant rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; communicate effectively; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Knowledge of how substance use disorders and mental health conditions affect parenting ability and child safety.
Knowledge of the child welfare system and 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 emergencies and demonstrate sound clinical judgment under pressure.
Ability to evaluate barriers to treatment access and navigate complex behavioral health systems to support families.
Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Ability to communicate verbally, demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
Ability to work independently with minimal direction and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to analyze challenges, conduct thorough research, and recommend practical and strategic solutions.

Nice To Haves

Florida licensure in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy, or status as a registered intern.
Experience with 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

Build relationships with Child Protective Investigators in co-located office space and educate CPIs and dependency case managers about behavioral health disorders, especially opioid use.
Help investigative staff and dependency case managers understand how behavioral health conditions affect parent and caregiver behavior, including signs and symptoms of opioid disorders and effective engagement and treatment practices.
Educate CPIs and dependency case managers about medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Provide field assistance and office consultation during pre- or post-commencement when an open investigation involves a suspected or identified behavioral health need.
Demonstrate family engagement techniques while accompanying investigative staff in the field.
Consult with investigative staff to identify danger threats, adult functioning, parental protective capacities, and safety management services.
Maintain knowledge of community mental health and substance use providers.
Work with community providers and the ME to develop contacts, facilitate referrals, support client engagement in recommended services, and improve timely access to treatment.
Track referrals and treatment entry for parents with behavioral health disorders, particularly substance misuse disorders.
Support investigators in mitigating behavioral issues and crises.
Participate in legal, multidisciplinary, and other meetings that support investigative staff and families.
Respond to emergency events, including working irregular or extended hours and deploying to affected communities within 24–48 hours of disaster impact when required.
Assess disaster 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 disaster-affected communities.
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.