Mental Health Specialist-Community Based

About the role

The Salvation Army, Syracuse Area Services Behavioral Health Unit Mental Health Specialist-Community Based provides individualized mental health support services to children and youth (ages 0-21) with emotional or behavioral challenges. Services are delivered in the community, such as in the home, school, or other natural settings, to help youth and families build skills, manage symptoms, and function successfully in their daily lives. This role focuses on practical, strengths-based interventions that support the youth's ability to remain in their home and community, while avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations or higher levels of care.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized mental health support services to children and youth (ages 0-21) with emotional or behavioral challenges in the community.
• Deliver services in natural settings such as homes, schools, or other community locations.
• Implement practical, strengths-based interventions to support youth in remaining in their home and community.
• Work with families to help them build skills and manage symptoms.
• Support youth in managing symptoms and functioning successfully in their daily lives.
• Ensure services avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or higher levels of care.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 2 years of experience working with at-risk children or youth in areas such as Mental health, Foster care, Child welfare, Juvenile justice.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable private transportation that meets Salvation Army insurance requirements.

Qualifications

• Passionate about building clinical skills and gaining real-world experience in community mental health.
• Willingness to work flexible hours based on provider and family availability.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with children and youth.
• Knowledge of mental health disorders and treatment options.
• Experience working with at-risk populations.

Benefits

• Compensation starts at $24/hour with the option of a monthly productivity incentive.

Pay

• $24/hour

Schedule

• Part-time (29 hours a week) initially, with the potential to transition to full-time (35 hours a week).
• Scheduling is flexible based on provider and family availability.

Benefits

• Compensation starts at $24/hour with the option of a monthly productivity incentive.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.