Mental Health Program Specialist (Children & Family Services) Residential Treatment

Note: This recruitment schedule was amended on August 1, 2022 to extend the Final Filing Date. This recruitment has been changed to "Continuous."

The County of San Mateo’s Human Services Agency, Children and Family Services Branch is seeking an experienced individual for the position of Mental Health Program Specialist at Elysian, theShort Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP)for child welfare involved adolescents.

Under direction, the Mental Health Program Specialist will coordinate and supervise the mental health program of the STRTP and other child welfare programs; supervise a small staff of professionals; consult with several community groups and agencies on mental health services; implement clinical service delivery systems; ensure Medi-Cal billing compliance; conduct case reviews; and implement a QA plan for Medi-Cal cases.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Proficiency in providing both mental health and substance use treatment services in a clinical setting and experience providing mental health treatment in "milieu-type" settings.
• Experience working with culturally and ethnically diverse populations.
• Proficiency in providing trauma informed services for both mental health and substance use/abuse treatment services in a clinical setting.
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to work within multiple systems promoting change, while managing many levels of detail in implementation.
• Ability to provide leadership and promote quality improvement process, as well as an ability to negotiate, solve complex problems, and resolve conflict.
• Ability to form and maintain strong collaborative relationships with system partners.
• Knowledge of Medi-Cal billing and the Avatar electronic health records system.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system and the CWS/CMS database.
• Spanish speaking preferred.
  
  

The residential facility operates on 24/7 schedule. This position may have an alternative schedule due to the needs of the facility.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies, including classified, unclassified, term, full-time, part-time and extra help vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate assigned program activities with services provided by and responsibilities of the Division's Regional clinics, private service providers, schools, state institutions and other public or community agencies.
• Establish and maintain program procedures which are consistent with Federal, State and local laws governing mental health services.
• Monitor and consult with contract providers to ensure compliance with services requested by the County and help determine jointly beneficial solutions to problem areas.
• Research and prepare grant proposals for specific mental health projects.
• Evaluate and integrate changes in legislation into the program procedures.
• Provide clinical case consultation and complex case reviews.
• Evaluate employee performance of clinical and support services staff assigned to program.
• Compile data and prepare program evaluations and other reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification :

California license as one of the following: 1) Clinical Social Worker; 2) Marriage and Family Therapist; or 3) Clinical Psychologist.

Education and Experience :

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Three years of experience as a Mental Health professional.
  
  

Special Requirements:

• Individuals assigned to Elysian STRTP, must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually AND obtain and maintain a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) Group Home Administrator Certificate issued by the State of California.
  
  

Knowledge of :

Basic program management techniques and practices; individual, group and family psychodynamics; psychological diagnostic methods and terminology; current principles and practices of psychiatric casework; human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources; various methods used in individual and group therapies such as role playing, play, art and milieu; and methods and techniques used in mental health education with cultural humility.

Skill/Ability to:

Prepare grant proposals and written reports; set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment; evaluate patients/clients degree of mental disability or emotional distress; and supervise and train interdisciplinary subordinates.

Application/Examination

Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term , and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date w ill receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification . All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~

Final Filing Date: Continuous

Application Screening: TBD

Combined Panel Interviews: TBD

The County of San Mateo may require that all employees provide proof of COVID-19 vaccine or comply with weekly COVID-19 testing. Employees hired into specified health care facilities and other high-risk settings where there is potential for frequent COVID-19 exposure to staff and highly vulnerable patients are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. For more specific information, please refer to the County's COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Policy.

The County of San Mateo is a diverse, inclusive workplace, where employees are valued and respected for their different perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and contributions. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

HR Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Mental Health Program Specialist – G081)