Mental Health Specialist (Education and Employment)

LA FAMILIA•Merced, CA

9d•$32 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Clinical Manager, the Mental Health Specialist provides intensive community-based services to adults enrolled in the Full Service Partnership (FSP) program who are experiencing serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, justice involved, and other behavioral health challenges. Using the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) approaches, the Mental Health Specialist delivers comprehensive case management, rehabilitation, crisis intervention, care coordination, and supportive services in clients' homes and community settings. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Mental Health Specialist supports individuals in achieving recovery, stability, and long-term success in the community while reducing the need for hospitalization, residential placement, or justice system involvement. Services are provided using person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strength-based practices based in ACT and FACT models that promote dignity, engagement, and individualized care. The Mental Health Specialist will meet deliverable expectations and requirements of the program. This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. This position is covered under the SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows: January 2027: 3% base pay increase Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or related field or four (4) years providing client services in a mental health hospital or social service/substance use setting.
Bilingual in Spanish/English is required for this position
Must be committed to addressing issues of stigma and discrimination related to mental health issues
Strong consultation, presentation, and organizational skills required
Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations.
Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties.
Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
Valid CA Driver’s license required.
Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
Ability to stand and move from one location to another daily.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
Ability to visually focus on near and far items, and to be able to switch between them.
Ability to reliably report to work on time and perform the position's required tasks as scheduled
Ability to grasp and carry items
Ability to hear and effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, and the public
Ability to identify potential issues within the workplace, determine an appropriate means of avoiding and/or resolving the issues, work with others to address the issues, and carry out organized strategies for resolving and preventing similar issues in the future
Ability to process information and data for use within the organization

Nice To Haves

Experience providing employment services and knowledge of workforce development are strongly preferred.
Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred.
Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.

Responsibilities

Deliver consistent, high-quality case management to assist clients in accessing essential medical, educational, social, prevocational, and rehabilitative services, including effective communication, coordination, referrals, linkage, and diligent progress monitoring.
Provide transformative rehabilitative services to learn, enhance, maintain, or restore clients’ functional, daily living, and social skills, as well as their access to support resources and medication education.
Lead the delivery of services predominantly in the field to ensure hands-on, personalized support.
Provide responsive, on-call support to meet client needs and prevent crises.
Collaborate seamlessly with the team and agency partners to ensure timely service delivery, measurable progress, and positive outcomes.
Apply culturally appropriate and evidence-based practices to engage clients effectively and deliver impactful services with humility and respect.
Provide impactful case management, and facilitate skill-building groups to enhance clients' self-sufficiency and life skills.
Advocate for clients, navigating and securing critical resources on their behalf.
Provide linkage and brokerage to specialized services to support clients
Conduct regular client meetings to assess progress and ensure alignment with treatment goals.
Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of securing and sustaining competitive employment.
Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities.
Provides community outreach services as necessary to support clients when they appear to disengage from services.
Complies with all agency's policies and procedures and maintains strict HIPPA guidelines.
Submits records of service information and tracking consistent with program policies.
Maintains records, prepares reports and performs other administrative duties as required.
Follows appropriate charting and documentation requirements and agency regulations in a timely manner.
Provides input and feedback on potential related projects/programs, as appropriate.
Supports agency-wide Quality Improvement efforts.
Adhere to the ACT and FACT modes of service
Provides individual and group education to clients/family appropriate to age, condition, culture and learning readiness.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of behavioral health services.
Implement evidence-based interventions that support the treatment plan and ACT/FACT models of service.
Promote and maintain effective working relationships with clients; recognize and respond to symptoms of mental disorders and substance abuse.
Modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities.
Track and regularly report on key metrics for the responsible function areas.
Leads and collaborates on projects supporting Agency objectives.
Demonstrates ethics and integrity
Displays drive and purpose
Manages self and adapts to change
Practice self-awareness and continuous learning
Exhibit inspirational leadership by being highly responsive, leading a team to resolve immediate issues while strategically and inclusively addressing root causes.
Develop staff by providing support to allow them to flourish in their roles, and promote a culture where everyone is valued and included, fostering a sense of belonging in an environment where employees can reach their full potential.
Practices cultural humility and cultural responsiveness when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, while practicing appropriate boundaries.
Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care.
Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals
Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness.
Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.
Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues.
Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.
Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions
Employer-paid life insurance
Vacation
15 paid holidays
12 paid sick days upon accrual
Employee Assistance Plan
Pet Plan Benefit: PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
403(b) retirement plan
Flexible scheduling options
Hybrid work arrangements
License and Certification renewals reimbursed
Structured mentorship
Ongoing training