Mental Health Specialist

Liberty Resources • Syracuse, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Liberty Resources is seeking Mobile Crisis Mental Health Specialists (Responders) to provide non-clinical support to individuals and families in crisis alongside Mobile Crisis Clinicians. The role focuses on conducting needs assessments and coordinating care for adults, youth, and families during and after crisis episodes, addressing crisis antecedents and gaps in care.

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, safety, or relapse prevention planning; support during and after a crisis; and coordination with or referrals to health, social, and other services, including peer and family support. The team aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests, engage people in services, reduce symptoms, stabilize individuals, restore prior 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 position with flexible scheduling options. The work is field-based and community-facing, with regular travel and in-person engagement in a range of settings. The work environment is fast-paced and emotionally dynamic, requiring flexibility, composure, and quick decision-making. Team members work collaboratively and share responsibility; situations may change rapidly and involve emergency services, families, and multi-agency partners. Work locations may include private homes, shelters, public spaces, or outdoor environments not controlled or maintained by the agency, and may involve stairs, uneven terrain, limited accessibility, or other physical challenges.

Available shifts vary by service area. In Cayuga, Cortland, or Madison counties, shifts include 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 counties, shifts include weekday evenings from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, weekends and holidays from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, overnights from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, and weekday daytime coverage as needed. Shifts may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or other non-standard hours based on program needs.

Compensation is $32.15 per on-call shift, described as equating to $225 for one week and providing advanced compensation for telephonic services. An additional $100 is paid 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 minutes or more. In-Person Follow Up compensation is $50 for 1–90 minutes, $75 for 91–180 minutes, and $100 for 181 minutes or more.

Liberty Resources describes itself as a growing human services agency providing integrated, community-based services. It emphasizes excellence, integrity, diversity, self-determination, service, innovation, and fiscal responsibility, and states its commitment to a diverse workforce and equal employment opportunity.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Meet one of the listed qualification pathways: 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 together with at least one of the listed additional qualifications.
• Listed additional qualifications for the high-school education pathway 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-approved program; 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrate professionalism and collaborative practice when working with law enforcement, providers, and other collateral contacts.
• Must possess a valid New York State driver’s license and have 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 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

• Career Level: Entry Level