The Behavioral Health Specialist work with clients to help them identify emotional or psychosocial barriers that may interfere with their goal of living independently. The Specialist will also identify community-based mental health agencies that will serve as referral destination for clients that are in need of long-term behavioral health treatment.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs comprehensive, in-depth assessments of clients in the programs of the agency performs psycho-social assessments and intake as assigned.
• Provides a full range of, counseling, advocacy, educational, and related services to participants.
• Identifies and utilizes agency and community resources.
• Assesses community conditions affecting clients to identify resource gaps and problems.
• Visiting clients in their place of residence to assess the impact of their use of their ability to maintain independent living and carry out activities of daily living.
• Provides group services as indicated by program need Represents and interprets programs of agency in community.
• Scheduling, coordinating, and transporting clients to appointments including medical assisted treatment and other services.
• Establishes referral network/linkages with outside agencies for participants and their families.
• Takes a proactive role in the development of services and programming that supports trauma informed care.
• Complies with agency record-keeping expectations.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree in Social Work or equivalent counseling degree from an accredited college or university. LCSW or other license preferred Two years related post-master’s experience at an intermediate skill level, required.
• Must have a car, valid drives license and proof of insurance.
• Ability to maintain assigned community and home-based services.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Must have smartphone to utilize Agency communication and collaboration tools.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel, crouch, and walk up and down stairs.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

HOUSING FORWARD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.