Mental Health Specialist
About The Position
Liberty Resources is hiring Mobile Crisis Mental Health Specialists (Responders) in Oswego County. The role works alongside Mobile Crisis Clinicians to provide non-clinical support to adults, youth, and families experiencing a crisis. Specialists primarily conduct needs assessments and coordinate care during and after crisis episodes to address crisis antecedents and gaps in care. The Mobile Crisis Team provides crisis intervention in community settings, including locations 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 functioning, and help people develop coping mechanisms to prevent future crises. This is a per diem, field-based role involving regular travel and in-person engagement in varied community environments. The work is fast-paced and emotionally dynamic, requiring flexibility, composure, and quick decision-making. Staff collaborate with colleagues, emergency services, families, providers, and multi-agency partners. Work locations may include private homes, shelters, public spaces, and outdoor environments, with conditions such as stairs, uneven terrain, or limited accessibility. The position offers flexible scheduling. Available shifts vary by county: Cayuga, Cortland, or Madison coverage includes weekdays from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM and weekends and holidays from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Onondaga or Oswego coverage includes 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. Pay includes $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.
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 of the specified qualifications.
- With the high school education pathway, qualifying options 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 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 or primary caregiver of a child with such disorders, provided the individual is not a qualified peer.
- Must be willing to participate in required federal, state, county, and agency training, including Narcan administration, evidence-based assessments, and person-centered and trauma-informed approaches.
- Demonstrate professionalism and collaborative effort 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 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 accordance with agency and program standards.
