Job Description

Minimum Qualifications Qualified candidates must possess:

A Bachelor\'s degree in a human services field, AND three years experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health. One year experience must have been at a supervisory level.

Substitution: a master\'s degree in a human services field may substitute for one year of the general experience. Four years of experience may also substitute for a bachelor\'s degree.

This position requires vaccination against COVID-19.

Duties Description The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill one Advocacy Specialist 3 position in the Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services (OAPSS) located in Syracuse to serve as the Bureau Director, Bureau of Regional Advocacy and Peer Support Services for Upstate. OAPSS works to ensure the inclusion of recipient perspectives into OMH policy making, planning, program development, and evaluation. Specifically, the incumbent of this position directs the promotion of awareness, recovery, resilience, self-help and empowerment, and the inclusion of people who are current and former users of mental health services and families, into all areas of the mental health system. The incumbent leads staff members across the state who interact and collaborate with other workgroups and offices/centers/divisions in Central New York Field Office, Western New York Field Office, and Hudson River Field Office. The incumbent serves at a statewide level and functions as a Deputy Director, supervising Regional Advocacy Specialists (RAS), Regional Family Advocacy Specialists (RFAS) and Regional Youth Advocacy Specialists (RYAS). The incumbent will also help establish peer support and advocacy for families of adults. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for interacting and collaborating with the Division of Integrated Community Services for Children and Families, Field Office staff, Central Office staff, other divisions within OMH and local mental health providers to deliver technical assistance, oversight, and training to State and local mental health programs statewide.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise and mentor subordinate staff in assignments and special projects, ensuring all applicable laws, rules and regulations are followed, and assignments are completed thoroughly and timely

• Conduct performance evaluations

• Guide the work for the RAS, RFAS, and RYAS in collaboration with the OMH field offices, Field Office Coordinators, the Division of Integrated Community Services for Children and Families, amongst other offices within OMH.

• Supervise the work of the RAS, RFAS and RYAS in support of consultation and assistance to State facility staff, local government, and provider agency staff on methods for promoting youth and family recipient involvement in planning, implementing, and evaluating mental health services.

• Work closely with the Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services Directors and Chief Advocacy Officer

• Promote the inclusion of former and current consumers of mental health services and families, including Youth and Family Peer Advocates in planning, policy implementation, program development, evaluation, monitoring and related activities.

• Provide input/direction on OMH policies, program development, and guidance documents.

• Provide expert advice, assistance, and training to ensure providers/programs are Peer, and family friendly and uphold the values of youth-guided and family-driven principles.

• Participate in OMH workshops (composed of current and former recipients of mental health services, youth recipients, family members, providers, county government staff, and the general public) in Statewide and regional initiatives to ensure that the collective voices of current and former users of OMH services, Youth and Family members are heard.

• Review and support (oversight/monitoring) of Peer service provider agencies and services (1650 providers/programs).

• Promote and support Peer services in OMH licensed and funded services.

• Assist with developing new programming, training, and support for family peer support for adults.

• Consult with counties and providers in developing or expanding youth and family mental health services and provide regulatory guidance with program issues.

• Represent the Office of Mental Health (OMH) in developing and implementing new initiatives and special projects.

• Represent OMH at meetings and task forces with external agencies, advocacy groups and trade organizations.

• Participate in policy development activities and policy analysis related to recipient and family issues.

• Oversees planning and implementation of mental health services, specifically designed to meet the needs of former and current users of mental health services.

• Provide expert advice, assistance, and training to ensure mental health services are trauma-informed, person-centered, resilience and recovery-oriented, and culturally inclusive.

• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Advocacy Officer.

Additional Comments Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability for this position will be discussed during the interview process. Please note, employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to operational needs and Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

The Mission of the New York State Office of Mental Health 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 deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, OMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring OMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees\' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

New York State