BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS - 60933440
About The Position
The Florida Department of Children and Families’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program is hiring a Behavioral Health Consultant OPS within Regional Operations at the Northeast Regional Office. The position provides clinical expertise to help identify parents with behavioral health conditions in the child welfare system, particularly opioid use and other substance misuse disorders. The consultant works with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs), dependency case managers, community providers, and other partners to strengthen staff expertise, improve family engagement, and support access to treatment, recovery services, and other resources. This is not a telework position; the employee is required to work in the regional office. The consultant provides education and consultation about behavioral health disorders, opioid use, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and engagement and treatment practices. The position may involve field support with investigative staff and families, consultations during open investigations, and participation in legal and multidisciplinary meetings. The consultant also tracks referrals and treatment entry, helps staff address behavioral health crises, and maintains knowledge of community mental health and substance use providers. During emergency events, the employee may be required to work irregular or extended hours, including weekends and holidays, work at locations other than the official headquarters, and perform additional duties. Deployment to disaster-affected communities may be required within 24–48 hours of impact. Emergency responsibilities include assessing community needs, supporting disaster-response planning, coordinating psychological and mental health resources, and providing 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.
- Knowledge of basic management principles and practices.
- Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data; develop recommendations; solve problems; and document workflow and other activities related to improving operational and management practices.
- Ability to organize data into logical formats for reports, documents, and other written materials.
- Ability to conduct fact-finding research and use problem-solving techniques.
- Ability to understand and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to operational and management analysis activities.
- Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
- Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Knowledge of the impact of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on 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 emergency events and demonstrate sound clinical judgment under pressure.
- Ability to evaluate and identify treatment-access barriers 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 relationships with internal and external partners.
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 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 (CPIs) in co-located office space.
- Educate CPIs and dependency case managers about identifying behavioral health disorders, especially opioid use, and the effects of these conditions on parent or caregiver behavior.
- Explain signs and symptoms of opioid disorders and practices for engagement and treatment.
- Educate CPIs and dependency case managers on 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 in the field with investigative staff.
- 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.
- Work with community service providers and the ME to develop contacts, facilitate referrals, and help investigative staff engage clients in recommended services and obtain timely treatment access.
- Track referrals and entry into treatment 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.
- Perform other duties as required to meet program and departmental goals and objectives.
- In emergency events, work irregular or extended hours, including weekends and holidays, and at locations other than the official headquarters as needed.
- Deploy to disaster-affected communities within 24–48 hours of impact to represent the organization and promote and implement post-disaster services.
- Assess the impact and needs of disaster-affected communities, 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 impacted by disasters.
- Provide critical information to the Regional Manager and Director of Regional Operations and Initiatives.
Benefits
- The State of Florida offers a competitive employee benefits package; the posting refers applicants to the State’s benefits website for details.
