Mental Health Program Specialist 1/Trainee, Central Office;

Duties Description

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill one Mental Health Program Specialist 1, Grade 18, position within the Division of Community Program Policy & Management, Bureau of Behavioral Health Policy Development & Implementation, under the general direction of the Deputy Director. The Mental Health Program Specialist 1 will serve as a subject matter expert in mental health and Medicaid policy. Focus areas include federal regulatory and statutory changes and State initiatives, including OMH’s involvement in health equity and value-based care initiatives.

• Assist in the oversight of OMH's engagement in the 1115 New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) Waiver.
• Provide feedback and recommendations in Medicaid Value-Based Payment (VBP) initiatives and applicability to behavioral health services.
• Gather and analyze state and federal legislation, regulation and guidance related to behavioral health, Medicaid policy and managed care to assess its impact on existing program operations.
• Aid in the development of behavioral health and Medicaid-related policy documents and distribute to programs.
• Support a broad range of initiative development, implementation, and evaluation activities related to behavioral health services.
• Sustain stakeholder engagement efforts and activities, including coordinating and participating in trainings, webinars, conferences, meetings, and presentations.
• Participate in internal and external workgroups to advance OMH’s policy goals.
• Monitor a public-facing mailbox.

Minimum Qualifications

Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications: Under the NY HELPS Program: A bachelor's degree in child and family studies, counseling and community psychology, creative arts therapy, criminal justice, health administration, hospital administration, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, nursing, psychoanalysis, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, recreation therapy, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, or special education AND two years of professional clinical or administrative experience in a federal or state operated, licensed, certified, or funded mental health program. A master's degree in child and family studies, counseling and community psychology, creative arts therapy, criminal justice, health administration, hospital administration, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, nursing, psychoanalysis, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, recreation therapy, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, or special education can substitute for one year of specialized experience.

Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 1

Candidate’s must possess a bachelor's or higher degree in child and family studies, counseling and community psychology, creative arts therapy, criminal justice, health administration, hospital administration, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, nursing, psychoanalysis, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, recreation therapy, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, or special education.

Transfer Opportunity

Candidates must be employed by New York State to be eligible. In order to be eligible for transfer, candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c service as a Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 1, Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 2, or Mental Health Program Specialist 1 and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.

55b/c Opportunity

Individuals certified eligible for the 55b/c program under the Governor’s Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55b/c of the Civil Service Law AND possess a Bachelor’s or degree in one of the fields listed above will also be considered.

Additional Comments

The starting salary for this position will vary based on the selected candidate’s education and/or experience. Candidates appointed at a trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary: $53,764 (Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 1) $59,994 (Mental Health Program Specialist Trainee 2) $66,951 (Mental Health Program Specialist 1, full performance level)

For current New York State employees, the starting salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire. Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability for this position will be discussed during the interview process. Please note, employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to operational needs and Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

The Mission of the New York State Office of Mental Health is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. OMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, OMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring OMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency.

OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of NY HELPS, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.