Mental Health Specialist

Liberty Resources • Oswego, NY

16d • Onsite

About The Position

Liberty Resources is seeking a Mobile Crisis Mental Health Specialist (Responder) in Oswego County. The specialist works alongside Mobile Crisis Clinicians to provide non-clinical support to adults, youth, and families experiencing a crisis. The role focuses on assessing needs and coordinating care during and after a crisis to address crisis triggers and gaps in care.

The Mobile Crisis Team is a trained multidisciplinary team that provides culturally and linguistically competent crisis intervention in community settings. Services include assessments, crisis diversion and safety planning, support during and after a crisis, and coordination with or referrals to health, social, and other services. The team aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests, support engagement in services and symptom reduction, stabilize individuals, restore functioning, and help develop coping mechanisms to prevent future crises. The team serves Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.

This is a per diem, field-based position with flexible scheduling. It involves regular travel and in-person work in varied community locations. The work can be fast-paced and emotionally dynamic, requires flexibility, composure, and timely decision-making, and is highly collaborative. Staff may respond alongside emergency services, families, and multi-agency partners. Worksites may include private homes, shelters, public spaces, and outdoor environments, with possible stairs, uneven terrain, limited accessibility, or other physical challenges.

Available shifts vary by county. In Cayuga, Cortland, or Madison, coverage is available weekdays from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM and weekends and holidays from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM. In Onondaga or Oswego, coverage includes weekday evenings from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, weekends and holidays from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, overnight shifts from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, and weekday daytime coverage as needed. The position pays $32.15 per on-call shift, with additional compensation for mobile crisis responses and in-person follow-ups. An additional $100 is paid per on-call shift on an agency-observed holiday.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid New York State driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Must be willing to participate in all required federal, state, county, and agency training, including Narcan administration, evidence-based assessments, and person-centered and trauma-informed approaches.
• Must demonstrate professionalism and collaborative practice when working with law enforcement, providers, and other collateral contacts.
• One of the following qualification pathways is required: a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of behavioral health experience; or a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or State Education Commencement Credential plus one or more of the listed qualifications.
• The high-school-credential pathway requires one or more of: one to three years of experience working with individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders; two years of work experience in children’s mental health, addiction, or foster care; student or intern status in a mental health/clinical New York State Education Department-approved program; Licensed Practical Nurse status; Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) status; or lived experience with emotional, behavioral, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, or as the parent/primary caregiver of a child with such disorders, without qualifying as a peer.

Responsibilities

• Provide non-clinical emotional support through active listening, validation, encouragement, and practical guidance.
• Conduct initial and ongoing needs assessments to identify crisis triggers, service gaps, and follow-up needs.
• Engage individuals and families in person-centered, client- and family-driven non-clinical goal setting and safety planning.
• Make referrals to behavioral health, medical, care coordination, and basic-needs services, and facilitate engagement with those services.
• Collaborate with internal team members and external providers to support smooth transitions and continuity of care.
• Follow up with individuals, families, and care teams to verify aftercare services are in place and being accessed.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation in accordance with agency and program standards.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: High school or GED