Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Greater Mental Health of New York • Tarrytown, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Outreach and Engagement Specialist will employ the principles of Peer Support and have experience providing interventions to individuals with behavioral health conditions. While not crisis services, these specialists offer socialization, recreation, light meals, and information about mental health and social services. In collaboration with the Care Management program, they will provide immediate assistance to individuals by connecting them to or re-engaging them with needed services. Specialists meet clients in the community or at Greater Mental Health offices, assess their needs, and address barriers such as referrals, insurance, application processes, and transportation. Services are delivered off-site at locations like forensic sites, mental health facilities, clients' homes, homeless shelters, and on the streets. Specialists support recovery through recognizing individual rights, shared decision-making, and collaboration.

Requirements

• Peer certification required, or must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
• Lived experience as a peer is required.
• At least one year of experience working in this field and/or AA/BA degree in social science field
• Basic computer knowledge and ability to document in an electronic health record are required.
• Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.
• Must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification within 30 days of hire.
• Basic computer knowledge: typing, communication tools, scheduling tools and web browsers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and database management systems.
• Fluency in English (Reading, Writing, Speaking).
• Must be and maintain clearance by applicable regulatory c learances as required.
• Legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing direct service and intervention to individuals with behavioral health needs such as substance abuse and/or mental health challenges.
• Knowledge of the common challenges associated with homelessness, substance use, and mental health conditions.
• Working familiarity with community resources, including entitlement programs, medical, legal services, housing, food pantry, and behavioral health treatment and rehabilitation services.
• Understand the impact of culture on behavioral health conditions and be able to effectively engage clients in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
• Experience with managing representative payee services and assisting clients in income management.
• Expected to practice in a recovery-oriented, person-centered manner.

Responsibilities

• Connect individuals with appropriate services, respecting rights of self-determination and choice.
• Work collaboratively, identify community services that support recovery, and help establish connections to those services.
• Facilitate, manage, and maintain responsibilities associated with being a Rep-Payee for clients assigned.
• Conduct outreach presentations and recruitment at community forums/events, schools, local churches, collaborative partner organizations and facilities, and street outreach.
• Document client interactions in electronic health records to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Assist individuals receiving representative payee services in managing their income, aiming for increased self-sufficiency and eventual independence from payee services.
• Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams to share best practices, highlight bright spots, and keep staff connected with key initiatives and activities.
• Follow the established agency/program policies & procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional standards.
• Participate in agency training programs.
• Perform other designated or related duties.

Benefits

• 403(b)-with employer contribution after 1 year of service
• Hybrid work options
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off-15 days per year
• Paid sick time-12 days per year
• Employer paid Holidays-11 days per year
• Opportunities for advancement, training programs, and support for certifications and continuing education.
• Free EAP services
• employee discounts (travel, hotels, movie tickets, theme parks, services, electronics, auto, shopping, and more)!
• Gym reimbursement through employer's medical insurance carrier.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): qualifying employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree