Mental Health Specialist
About The Position
Liberty Resources is seeking Mobile Crisis Mental Health Specialists (Responders) in Madison County. The Mobile Crisis Team is a trained multidisciplinary team providing crisis intervention in community settings where people live, work, attend school, receive services, or socialize. Services include culturally and linguistically competent assessment, crisis diversion and safety planning, support during and after a crisis, and coordination with and referrals to health, social, and other services. The team aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests, support engagement in services, reduce symptoms, stabilize individuals, restore prior functioning, and help people develop coping mechanisms to prevent future crises. The team serves Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties. The Mobile Crisis Mental Health Specialist works alongside Mobile Crisis Clinicians to provide non-clinical support to individuals and families in crisis. Specialists primarily conduct needs assessments and coordinate care for adults, youth, and families during and after a crisis episode, addressing crisis antecedents and gaps in care. This is a per diem position with flexible scheduling. Available shifts vary by county and include weekday evenings, weekends, holidays, overnight coverage, and weekday daytime coverage as needed. This field-based, community-facing role involves regular travel and in-person engagement in varied settings. The work is fast-paced and emotionally dynamic, requiring flexibility, composure, and quick decision-making. Team members collaborate and share responsibility, and situations may evolve rapidly and involve emergency services, families, or multi-agency partners. Staff travel to locations outside the agency’s control, such as private homes, shelters, public spaces, and outdoor environments, which may include stairs, uneven terrain, limited accessibility, or other physical challenges. Compensation includes $32.15 per on-call shift, described as equating to $225 for one week and providing advanced compensation for telephonic services, plus $100 per on-call shift on an agency-observed holiday. Mobile crisis response compensation is $100 for 1–90 minutes, $150 for 91–180 minutes, and $200 for 181 or more minutes. In-person follow-up compensation is $50 for 1–90 minutes, $75 for 91–180 minutes, and $100 for 181 or more minutes.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Either 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 at least one qualifying credential or experience category.
- With the high school-level education pathway, qualifying categories include 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; being a student or intern in a mental health/clinical New York State Education Department program approved by the Department of Health; being a Licensed Practical Nurse; being a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC); or having lived experience as an individual with emotional, behavioral, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, or as a parent/primary caregiver of a child with such disorders, while not qualifying as a peer.
- Willingness to participate in all required federal, state, county, and agency training, including Narcan administration, evidence-based assessments, and person-centered and trauma-informed approaches.
- Demonstrate professionalism and collaborative efforts when working with law enforcement, providers, and other collateral contacts.
- Possess a valid New York State driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
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 in person-centered, client- and family-driven non-clinical goal setting and safety planning.
- Make referrals to and facilitate engagement in behavioral health, medical, care coordination, and basic-needs 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 that aftercare services are in place and being accessed.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation in accordance with agency and program standards.
Benefits
- Flexible scheduling options
