Behavioral Health Therapist (OFRA #10117101)

Posting Details

The Office of Family Representation and Advocacy (OFRA) provides high quality legal representation and advocacy for New Mexico families in the child abuse and neglect system.

This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

Why does the job exist?

The purpose of this position is to support the mission of OFRA by performing duties as a licensed behavioral health clinician to ensure high quality interdisciplinary legal representation and services for our clients. The position is charged with providing clinical interpretation and consultation to legal team members (i.e., attorneys and family peer support navigators) to ensure the client's case plan and court-ordered services directly address the cause of their involvement with CYFD. The position is also charged with providing psychoeducation, resources, and support directly to clients in collaboration with the other members of the legal team to ensure that services are relevant and accessible.

How does it get done?

This position will perform the following:

-Supports effective collaboration and consensus building among the interdisciplinary legal team (IDLT) members.
-Reviewing the client's social services, psychological, medical, and other assessments/records to ensure the IDLT understands the clinical issues that impact how the client understands, engages, and navigates the system.
-Providing consultations and trainings for attorneys (statewide) and to support them in effective engagement with their client and/or to identify relevant and appropriate services to address their needs.
-Collaborating with OFRA colleagues and community partners to provide trainings for staff and others in trauma responsive practices.
-Advocating for the development of case plans that are individualized to meet the clients and family's unique needs.
-Ensuring the clients are referred to services that affirm their culture and identity and are an appropriate clinical match.
-Providing direct client support by answering questions about types of treatment, developing safety agreements, and supporting their engagement with other members of IDLT.
-Accompanying clients to court hearings and out-of-court hearings and out-of-court meetings and conferences, as agreed upon by the client and IDLT, to support effective advocacy for clients in and out of court in alignments with OFRA's cornerstone Advocacy practice model.
-Maintaining attorney-client privilege and confidentiality at all times.

Who are the customers?

Office of Family Representation and Advocacy (OFRA) staff, parents/guardians/custodians involved in child welfare legal cases, and other constituents of New Mexico.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

-A working knowledge of the foster care system and/or other social services.
-A solid understanding of DSM-V diagnoses, developmental disabilities, and medical conditions experienced by marginalized populations with complex trauma exposure.
-Knowledge of community resources, in particular resources available to address mental health, domestic/interpersonal violence, and substance use.
-Experience with community outreach and engagement.
-Knowledge of common clinical assessments and how to review clinical reports.
-A deep passion for working with underserved and marginalized populations.
-An understanding of the impact of personal biases and how to overcome them in the workplace, both personally and systemically.
-An empathetic and compassionate approach, with a strong work ethic and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
-The ability to work respectfully as a member of a team and cultivate effective, collaborative interdisciplinary teams with diverse perspectives.

Minimum Qualification

Licensure in New Mexico as an LMSW, LISW, LMHC, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or LPAT and one (1) year of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field above licensure requirements and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling one (1) year may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Must possess a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required. Direct client interaction and travel will be required.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Stacie Ortiz, stacie.ortiz@ofra.nm.gov Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Salary : $66,880 - $100,320