BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS - 60933457

State of Florida•La Crosse, FL

6d•$29 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Consultant OPS serves within the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program, Northeast Regional Office. The role provides clinical expertise to help identify parents with behavioral health conditions in the child welfare system, with particular attention to opioid use and other substance misuse disorders. The consultant works with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs), dependency case managers, families, community providers, and other partners to build staff expertise, improve family engagement, and support timely access to treatment, recovery supports, and community resources. The consultant provides education and consultation on behavioral health disorders, opioid use, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and engagement and treatment practices. The role may include field work alongside investigative staff, consultation during pre- or post-commencement when an investigation is open, and participation in legal and multidisciplinary meetings. Consultants help assess danger threats, adult functioning, parental protective capacities, and safety management services; track referrals and treatment entry; and support staff in addressing behavioral health crises. During emergency events, the incumbent may be required to work irregular or extended hours, including weekends and holidays, and at locations other than the official headquarters. The incumbent may deploy to disaster-affected communities within 24–48 hours, assess community needs, help develop and implement response strategies, 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 improve operational and management practices.
Ability to organize data and prepare reports, documents, 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.
Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Knowledge of the effects 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 emergencies and demonstrate sound clinical judgment under pressure.
Ability to evaluate and identify barriers to treatment access and navigate behavioral health systems to support families.
Ability to 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.
Must work in the regional office; this is not a telework position.

Nice To Haves

Florida license in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy, or registered intern status.
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.
Educate CPIs and dependency case managers on identifying behavioral health disorders, especially opioid use disorders, and on how behavioral health conditions affect parent or caregiver behavior.
Explain signs and symptoms of opioid disorders and practices for engaging and treating affected individuals.
Educate staff on medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Provide field support 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 working knowledge of community mental health and substance use providers.
Collaborate with community service providers and the ME to develop contacts, facilitate referrals, and help investigative staff engage clients in recommended services and access treatment promptly.
Track referrals and entry into treatment 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 assist investigative staff and families.
Respond to emergencies, including possible deployment to disaster-affected communities within 24–48 hours; assess impacts and needs, help develop and implement response strategies, coordinate psychological and mental health resources, and provide information to regional leadership.
Perform other duties as required to meet program and departmental goals and objectives.