Region Behavioral Health Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)isthe state of Florida's social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, humantraffickingand publicassistance. The agency's mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. 

Within DCF, theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Programoffice is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders. 

Within SAMH, the (Region)Regional Officestaff ensure that individuals and families havetimelyaccess to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services across the region. They collaborate with local providers, community partners, and key stakeholders toidentifyservice gaps, enhance resource availability, and promote continuity of care.The(Region)Regional Office monitors program performance, addresses barriers to service delivery, and fosters cross-system collaboration to strengthen the regional behavioral health network and improve overall outcomes for the communities served. 

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION. 

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION. 

CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE REGIONAL OFFICE. 

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as a Behavioral Health Consultant within Regional Operations. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include: 

The Behavioral Health Consultant will provide clinicalexpertiseandassistwith the identification of parents with behavioral health conditions in the child welfare system, with a concentrated focus on opioid use and other substance misuse disorders.The BHCs will consult and collaborate with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs) and dependency case managers to build expertise with front line staff in the identification of behavioral health disorder(s), with specific focus on those with possible substance misuse disorders, improve engagement with families, and improve access to treatment, recovery supports, and resources. 

• Activelyestablishrelationships with CPIs in co-located office space; Educate CPIs and dependency case managers on the identification of behavioral health disorders with an emphasis on opioid use. Support the investigative staff and dependency case managers in understanding the effects of the behavioral health issue on parent/caregiver behavior.Assistinvestigative staff and dependency case managers in understanding the signs and symptoms of opioid disorders and the best practices to engage and treat. 

• Educate CPIs and dependency case managers on the use of MAT; Assist in the field and provide office consultation during pre-or post-commencement when there is an open investigation with a suspected oridentifiedbehavioral health need. Activelydemonstrateengagement techniques with the family when in the field with investigative staff. 

• Partner with the investigative staff to provide consultations toassistinidentifyingdanger threats, adult functioning, parental protective capacities (diminished or present), and safety management services. 

• Maintain a working knowledge of community mental health and substance use providers. 

• Work collaboratively with community service providers and the ME to develop contacts,facilitatereferrals, andassistinvestigative staff with engaging clients in recommended services and improvingtimelyaccess to treatment. 

• Track the referrals and entry into treatment for parents with behavioral health disorders, especially with substance misuse disorders. 

• Support investigators in mitigating behavioral issues and crises. 

• Participate in legal, multi-disciplinary, and any other meetings that willassistthe investigative staff and families. 

• Performs other duties asrequiredto meet program and departmental goals andobjectives. 

Emergency Response 

• In response to emergency events, the incumbent may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the position description.Deploy to communities affected by natural disasters within 24-48 hours of impact torepresentthe organization to promote and implement post-disaster services. 

• Assess the impact,needsandassistwith the development of a response strategy and goals for the impacted community and implement disaster response plans. 

• Coordinate psychological and mental health resources and services for individuals, first responders, and communitiesimpactedby disasters. 

• Provide critical information to the Regional Manager and Director of Regional Operations and Initiatives. 

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess the Ability To: 

• Engage cooperatively and professionally with both internal and external stakeholders. 

• Manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously with agility and precision. 

• Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to succeed both independently and with minimal direction. 

• Understand and align with the vision of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program, executing projects, assignments, and policy updates accurately and on time in a fast-paced environment. 

• Collaborate effectively within a team while also excelling when working independently. 

• Analyze challenges and propose thoughtful, practical solutions to complex problems. 

• Conduct thorough research toidentifyand recommend the most strategic and effective course of action-the best "yes." 

Knowledge,Skillsand Abilitiesrequiredfor the position: 

• Knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis. 

• Knowledge of basic management principles and practices. 

• Ability to collect, evaluate and analyze data to develop alternative recommendations, solve problems, document workflow and other activities relating to the improvement of operational and management practices. 

• Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports,documentsand other written materials. 

• Ability to conduct fact-finding research. 

• Ability toutilizeproblem-solving techniques. 

• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations,policiesand procedures relating to operational and management analysis activities. 

• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. 

• Ability to communicate effectively. 

• Ability toestablishand maintain effective working relationships with others. 

• Knowledge of the impact of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on parenting ability and child safety. 

• Knowledge of the child welfare system, withdemonstratedexpertisein motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care approaches. 

• Knowledge and experience in the identification and care of substance-exposed newborns 

• Ability to respond effectively to emergency events,demonstratingsound clinical judgment under pressure. 

• Ability to evaluate andidentifybarriers to treatment access and navigate complex behavioral health systems to support families effectively. 

• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally,demonstratestrong interpersonal skills, and establish andmaintaincollaborative working relationships with internal and external partners. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A master's degree in a health or human services-related field. 

• Three years of experience treating substance use disorders. 

• Valid Class E Driver License. 

Preference will be given to applicants who have: 

• Florida license in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, marriage, and family therapy, or a registered intern. 

• Experience of the child welfare and behavioral health systems and knowledge related to the impact of behavioral health conditions on parenting capacity. 

• Experience in substance abuse prevention, treatment, or recovery support service. 

• Experience coordinating community-based services for individuals or families. 

• Certification as a Master's-Level Addiction Professional. 

• Experience withmotivational interviewing. 

Candidate Profile (application) Requirements: 

Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety. 

• Work History - entered with the most recent/current listed first: 

• Any and allState of Florida jobs 

• Any and allFlorida University jobs 

• All periods of employment 

• Periods of unemployment 

• Gaps 3 months or more* 

• Education 

• Volunteer Experience 

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment. 

• *Gaps 3 months or moremust be addressed- you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps. 

• Experience, education, training, knowledge,skillsand/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. 

• If claimingRight to First Interview, candidateMUSTattach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. 

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287. 

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits. 

• For a more complete list of benefits, visitwww.mybenefits.myflorida.com. 

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES 

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENTOnly US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired. 

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