Mental Health Program Specialist 2 (NY HELPS), Central Office;

About the role

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is seeking a Mental Health Program Specialist 2 to serve as an Operations and Project Coordinator within the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO). The incumbent will support the Chief Medical Officer and Director of Operations in coordinating OCMO activities, including collaborative initiatives with other OMH program areas and cross-agency projects to advance the agency’s core mission. OCMO oversees a diverse portfolio of statewide clinical, prevention, population health, data, and research activities, ensuring alignment with organizational mission, strategic priorities, and public mental health outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational, strategic planning, and high-level project management support.
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate information from multiple sources.
• Prepare summary presentations and narrative documents, including recommendations to support consensus decision-making.
• Lead meetings, coordinate timelines, track and follow up on key action items, and secure approvals from subject matter experts.
• Contribute to guidance development in support of OMH policy, using available evidence.
• Track development of administrative and programmatic documents, fiscal resources/budgets, procurement, and contracts.
• Bridge communications across program areas to ensure understanding and alignment.

Requirements

Non-competitive (NYHELPS): A bachelor’s degree in biology (and all sub-specialties relating to human biology), 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 three 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 any of the above fields can substitute for one year of specialized experience.

Transfer Opportunity

Candidates must have permanent competitive or 55b/c status as a Mental Health Program Specialist 2, Grade 23, and be eligible for lateral transfer; or be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law to the Mental Health Program Specialist 2 title. Transfer candidates must also possess a bachelor’s or higher degree in a qualifying field listed above.

Additional Information

The New York State Office of Mental Health’s mission 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 committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities, and is focused on reducing disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. The agency strives to be a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees’ unique attributes and skills are valued.

This position is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of NY HELPS, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, meaning no examination is required, but candidates must meet the minimum qualifications. At a future date, employees hired under NY HELPS may have their non-competitive status converted to competitive status without examination, affording them the same rights and privileges as competitive-class employees.