Child Advocate

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: OPEN COMPETITIVE- EMERGENCY EXAM NUMBER: b8111O-EA FILING DATES: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you. The Department of Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Mental Health Advocate vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Mental Health Advocate. Within the context of the program population served, communicates, represents, and promotes the mental health services consumer's perspective within the continuum of care. Orients consumers' family members, significant others, and caregivers of mental health consumers to the mental health system in order to assist these parties to navigate the system and receive necessary services. Facilitates consumer, family member, and caregiver access to departmental and community resources and services provided by other community and public agencies by assisting with scheduling appointments and transportation; or by accompanying the consumer to meetings that affect their receipt of services in order to provide advocacy and support in meeting consumers' needs. Assists clients in developing independent living skills in activities such as housekeeping, cooking, shopping, budgeting, using public transportation, and attending to personal grooming and hygiene, etc. through demonstration and coaching. Assists clients with housing needs by facilitating access to residential care or permanent housing. Facilitates clients' participation with multi-disciplinary teams by assisting in formulating service goals and plans for achieving such goals. Conveys community and client cultural patterns and attitudes to mental health professional staff. Assists clients with obtaining and completing appropriate application forms for various benefits and services. Leads recovery dialoguesand discusses common transitional experiences. Acts as interpreter for client population. Recruits and trains volunteer mentors for clients transitioning into community living settings. Participates in conferences/meetings within the Department of Mental Health. Accompany clients to appointments and self-help activities. Attends seminars and in-service trainings in connection with related duties as assigned. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Option I: Six (6) months of full-timepaid or volunteer experience* in mental health advocacy, performing duties such as interacting with clients or patients concerning mental health or social service matters, answering questions and providing information about mental health/social services and disability benefits, and coordinating group facilitations. Option II: Completion of a recognized peer, parent, or family advocate training program.** Applicants must meet the above requirement(s) at the time of filing in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment. LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. PHYSICAL CLASS : II – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION: * Experience is evaluated on the basis of a verifiable 40-hour workweek. Work performed part-time will be prorated on a month-for-month basis. ** To qualify for Option II, a copy of the Training Certificate must be submitted with the application at the time of filing or email to View email address on click.appcast.io within 7 calendar days from date of application submission. Mental Health advocate training programs are offered by various Peer Run Organizations, Family Run Organizations, and Nationally accredited associations for delivering Mental Health Advocacy. EXAMINATION CONTENT: During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment. #J-18808-Ljbffr