Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist-White Plains, NY

Greater Mental Health of New York•Tarrytown, NY

About The Position

The Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist uses Peer Support principles and experience providing interventions to individuals with behavioral health conditions. This is not a crisis-services role. Specialists provide socialization, recreation, light meals, and information about mental health and social services. In collaboration with the Care Management program, they help individuals connect to or re-engage with needed services, assess needs, and address barriers such as referrals, insurance, applications, and transportation. Services take place in the community or at Greater Mental Health offices, including forensic sites, mental health facilities, clients’ homes, homeless shelters, and street outreach locations. The role supports recovery through recognition of individual rights, shared decision-making, and collaboration. The position is full-time, non-exempt, and scheduled for 35 hours per week. It reports to the Program Director, Consumer and Family Outreach Program: WISP. The posting lists White Plains, NY in the job title and Tarrytown, NY as the location, and notes that hours, reporting structure, and location may change based on program needs.

Requirements

At least one year of experience working in this field and/or an AA/BA degree in a social science field.
Experience providing direct service and interventions to individuals with behavioral health needs, such as substance use and/or mental health challenges.
Knowledge of common challenges associated with homelessness, substance use, and mental health conditions.
Working familiarity with community resources, including entitlement programs, medical and legal services, housing, food pantries, and behavioral health treatment and rehabilitation services.
Ability to understand the impact of culture on behavioral health conditions and engage clients in a culturally sensitive manner.
Ability to perform duties independently and efficiently.
Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system; basic computer knowledge and ability to document in an electronic health record are required.
Experience managing representative payee services and assisting clients with income management.
Ability to practice in a recovery-oriented, person-centered manner.
Reliability, ability to work independently, and understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management systems.
Fluency in English (reading, writing, and speaking).
Must be cleared and maintain clearance by applicable regulatory clearances as required.
Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Must be mobile and available to work in the community, including off-site locations.
Peer certification must be obtained within six months of employment if not already held.

Nice To Haves

Peer certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Connect individuals with appropriate services while respecting their rights to self-determination and choice.
Work collaboratively to identify community services that support recovery and help individuals establish connections to those services.
Facilitate, manage, and maintain responsibilities associated with serving as a representative payee for assigned clients.
Conduct outreach presentations and recruitment at community forums and events, schools, local churches, collaborative partner organizations and facilities, and through street outreach.
Document client interactions in electronic health records according to established methods and procedures.
Assist representative-payee-service recipients with managing their income, with the goal of increased self-sufficiency and eventual independence from payee services.
Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams to share best practices, highlight bright spots, and keep staff connected with key initiatives and activities.
Follow established agency and program policies and procedures.
Maintain appropriate professional standards.
Participate in agency training programs.
Perform other designated or related duties.

Benefits

403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution after one year of service.
Flexible work arrangements, subject to business needs, including hybrid options.
Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid time off: 15 days per year.
Paid sick time: 12 days per year.
Employer-paid holidays: 11 days per year.
Professional development opportunities, including advancement, training programs, and support for certifications and continuing education.
Free EAP services.
Employee discounts on travel, hotels, movie tickets, theme parks, services, electronics, automobiles, and shopping.
Gym reimbursement through the employer's medical insurance carrier.
Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).