Mental Health Specialist
About The Position
Liberty Resources is hiring Mobile Crisis Mental Health Specialists (Responders) in Onondaga County. The Specialist works alongside Mobile Crisis Clinicians to provide non-clinical support to individuals and families in crisis. The role primarily involves conducting needs assessments and coordinating care for adults, youth, and families during and after a crisis episode to address crisis antecedents and gaps in care. The Mobile Crisis Team is a trained multidisciplinary response team providing culturally and linguistically competent crisis intervention in community settings. Services include 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, engage people in services, reduce symptoms, 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 position with flexible scheduling options. On-call shifts vary by county and may include weekday evenings, weekends, holidays, overnights, and weekday daytime coverage as needed. Compensation includes a per-shift on-call rate and additional payments for mobile crisis responses and in-person follow-up, with an additional holiday payment for agency-observed holidays. The role is field-based and community-facing, with regular travel and in-person engagement in varied settings. The work is fast-paced and emotionally dynamic, requiring flexibility, composure, and quick decision-making. Staff collaborate closely with team members, emergency services, families, and multi-agency partners. Work locations may include private homes, shelters, public spaces, and outdoor environments not controlled or maintained by the agency, and may involve stairs, uneven terrain, limited accessibility, or other physical challenges.
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-approved program; being a Licensed Practical Nurse; holding a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) credential; or having lived experience as an individual with emotional, behavioral, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, or as a parent or primary caregiver of a child with such disorders, and not being a qualified 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 efforts when working with law enforcement, providers, and other collaterals.
- 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 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 aftercare services are in place and being accessed.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation in line with agency and program standards.
Benefits
- $32.15 per on-call shift, stated as equating to $225 for one week and providing advanced compensation for telephonic services.
- Additional $100 per on-call shift on an agency-observed holiday.
- Mobile crisis response compensation: $100 for 1–90 minutes, $150 for 91–180 minutes, and $200 for 181 minutes or more.
- In-person follow-up compensation: $50 for 1–90 minutes, $75 for 91–180 minutes, and $100 for 181 minutes or more.
- Flexible scheduling options.
- Career opportunities and a fun atmosphere.
