Mental Health Specialist - Youth Resource Team

  • Full-time
  • Department: Youth Resource Team (YRT)

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice and throughout Los Angeles County.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through 20+ programs in four pillars of service: Outreach and Engagement, Housing Services, Mental Health, and Education and Vocational Training.  St. Joseph Center serves more than 10,000 people each year. 

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Description

  • Summary The Mental Health Specialist delivers interventions based on select evidence-based practice models and works as a team member with other social service professionals ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health for contracted agencies as well as adhering to the mission of St Joseph Center.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Areas of Responsibility:

  • Assist consumers, in the office, in their respective homes or other field based locations assigned to his/ her caseload in the development and coordination of service plans
  • Assist with developing and implement client treatment plans emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing mental health, medical, and substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, symptom/behavior reduction, medication management and any other risk factors
  • Provide ongoing therapeutic case management services that will increase positive social engagement, increase school performance, decrease risky behaviors, advocacy to deter evictions, and linkage to any needed services such as medical, dental, mental health, substance abuse, life skills training, self-help, money management, meaningful community activities, volunteer services, job placement, etc.

Essential Duties:

  • Provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goal plans
  • Administer psychosocial assessment to determine areas of need
  • Serve as additional support to the team of Bachelor level case managers
  • Assist program manager in developing and leading skill-building groups
  • Collaborate closely with the community partners on the youth’s treatment plan and services
  • Update progress notes and client files on a regular basis
  • Perform general outreach services, education in the community and other duties within one’s scope of practice when assigned
  • Present findings to other collaborative agencies in order to develop a service plan of action that will expedite participants’ stability
  • Participate in all meetings with collaborative agencies and other community meetings as directed. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
  • Conduct group therapy as needed.

The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Must be highly motivated and a self-starter. Must have the ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff. Must have excellent administrative and organizational skills
  • A bilingual background is a plus
  • The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings

Experience:

  • Two years’ experience providing mental health services to highly vulnerable populations

Education:

  • Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services or a related field

Direct Reports: 

  • This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Computer Skills:

  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and widely supported internet browsers.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations: 

  • Required: CA BBS registered ASW, AMFT, APCC
  • Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize and alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
  • Valid automobile liability insurance

Travel Requirements:

  • xxxx

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

Benefits:

  • 403(b), including 403(b) match up to 5%
  • 3 weeks vacation
  • 13 paid holidays + a Winter Hiatus between Christmas and New Years
  • Paid time off
  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Referral program
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additional Information

Status: Full time/Exempt

Pay Range: $62,400 - $65,000/year

At St. Joseph Center, pay ranges are set using the best available market data for the job at the required location. To determine salary for a candidate, we consider the candidate's skills and capabilities for the job compared with expectations for the position.

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf