Mental Health Specialist

Liberty Resources • Syracuse, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Liberty Resources is hiring Mobile Crisis Mental Health Specialists (Responders) to provide non-clinical support alongside Mobile Crisis Clinicians. Specialists conduct needs assessments and coordinate care for adults, youth, and families during and after crisis episodes, helping address crisis triggers and gaps in care. The Mobile Crisis Team provides culturally and linguistically competent crisis intervention in community settings, including homes, workplaces, schools, service locations, and public spaces. Its work includes 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, promote service engagement and symptom stabilization, restore functioning, and help individuals develop coping strategies 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. Available coverage varies by county: Cayuga, Cortland, or Madison shifts include weekdays from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM and weekends and holidays from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Onondaga or Oswego 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. The role involves regular travel and in-person engagement in locations not controlled by the agency, such as private homes, shelters, public spaces, and outdoor environments. Work can be fast-paced and emotionally dynamic, requires flexibility and composure, and involves collaboration with emergency services, families, and other agencies.

Compensation is $32.15 per on-call shift, described as equivalent 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.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• 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 and at least one of the listed alternative qualifications.
• Listed alternative qualifications with 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 or clinical program approved by the New York State Education Department; 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 or primary caregiver of a child with such disorders, and not being a qualified 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.
• Demonstrated professionalism and collaborative work with law enforcement, providers, and other collateral contacts.
• 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 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

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level