Outreach and Engagement Specialist-White Plains, NY

Job Description

Job Description

Title:  Outreach and Engagement Specialist 

Reports To:  Program Director, Consumer and Family Outreach

Program : WISP 

Location:  Tarrytown, NY

Hours Per Week: 35

FLSA status: Full-time, Non-exempt

Salary Range: $21-22 per hour

Join Us! Join us at Greater Mental Health of New York, where our mission is to promote mental wellness through advocacy, community education, and direct services. We empower individuals and families on their unique journeys to recovery, honoring their rights to self-determination, choice, and collaboration. With evidence-based practices and a focus on trauma-responsive care, our dedicated team provides comprehensive services to thousands and fosters independence and resilience within our community. If you're passionate about making a difference in mental health and creating brighter futures for individuals and families throughout the Lower Hudson Valley region, apply today!

Benefits Summary

• Retirement: 403(b)-with employer contribution after 1 year of service
• Flexible Work Arrangements: subject to business needs, including hybrid options.
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off-15 days per year
• Paid sick time-12 days per year
• Employer paid Holidays-11 days per year
• Professional Development: Opportunities for advancement, training programs, and support for certifications and continuing education.
• Additional Perks: Free EAP services and employee discounts (travel, hotels, movie tickets, theme parks, services, electronics, auto, shopping, and more)!
• Gym reimbursement through employer's medical insurance carrier.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): qualifying employer

Summary Description:   The Outreach and Engagement Specialist will employ the principles of Peer Support and have experience providing interventions to individuals with behavioral health conditions. While not crisis services, these specialists offer socialization, recreation, light meals, and information about mental health and social services. In collaboration with the Care Management program, they will provide immediate assistance to individuals by connecting them to or re-engaging them with needed services. Specialists meet clients in the community or at Greater Mental Health offices, assess their needs, and address barriers such as referrals, insurance, application processes, and transportation. Services are delivered off-site at locations like forensic sites, mental health facilities, clients' homes, homeless shelters, and on the streets. Specialists support recovery through recognizing individual rights, shared decision-making, and collaboration. 

Responsibilities: 

• Connect individuals with appropriate services, respecting rights of self-determination and choice.
• Work collaboratively, identify community services that support recovery, and help establish connections to those services.
• Facilitate, manage, and maintain responsibilities associated with being a Rep-Payee for clients assigned.
• Conduct outreach presentations and recruitment at community forums/events, schools, local churches, collaborative partner organizations and facilities, and street outreach.
• Document client interactions in electronic health records to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Assist individuals receiving representative payee services in managing their income, aiming for increased self-sufficiency and eventual independence from payee services.
• Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams to share best practices, highlight bright spots, and keep staff connected with key initiatives and activities.
• Follow the established agency/program policies & procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional standards.
• Participate in agency training programs.
• Perform other designated or related duties.

Competencies: 

• Experience providing direct service and intervention to individuals with behavioral health needs such as substance abuse and/or mental health challenges.
• Knowledge of the common challenges associated with homelessness, substance use, and mental health conditions.
• Working familiarity with community resources, including entitlement programs, medical, legal services, housing, food pantry, and behavioral health treatment and rehabilitation services.
• Understand the impact of culture on behavioral health conditions and be able to effectively engage clients in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Must be able to perform duties independently and efficiently.
• Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
• Experience with managing representative payee services and assisting clients in income management.
• Expected to practice in a recovery-oriented, person-centered manner.

Performance Indicators (KPIs): 

• Complete all required agency training programs.
• High levels of client satisfaction based on feedback interviews
• Accurate and timely documentation in electronic health records for all client interactions
• Effectively managing participant income, aiming for increased self-sufficiency and graduation from representative payee services
• Effective individual referrals to appropriate services in a timely manner 

Requirements: 

• Peer certification required, or must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
• Lived experience as a peer is required.

• At least one year of experience working in this field and/or AA/BA degree in social science field

• Basic computer knowledge and ability to document in an electronic health record are required.
• Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.

• Must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification within 30 days of hire.
• Basic computer knowledge: typing, communication tools, scheduling tools, and web browsers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and database management systems. 
• Fluency in English (Reading, Writing, Speaking).
• Must maintain clearance by applicable regulatory clearances as required.
• Legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. 

Special Considerations : 

• Must be mobile and available for work in the community, including off-site locations such as forensic sites, mental health facilities, clients' homes, homeless shelters, and street outreach.
• Hours Per Week, Reporting Structure, and Location are subject to change per program needs

Mandated Reporter:

This is a Mandated Reporter position. The NYS Justice Center legislation defines anyone who has regular and substantial contact with any person with special needs as a “custodian” under the law and, therefore, a mandated reporter. You can be held liable by both the civil and criminal legal systems for intentionally failing to make a report. 

Greater Mental Health of New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Greater Mental Health of New York is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Human Resources Department.