Tompkins County

TOMPKINS COUNTY CIVIL SERVICEVACANCY Inclusion Through Diversity OPEN TO THE PUBLICTompkins County Department of Human Resources Office 125 E. Court StreetIthaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-5526Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply TITLE: Licensed Clinical Therapist TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time ISSUE DATE: 09/04/26 THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 09/20/26 DATE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POSTING: 09/21/26 RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga,Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under section 23-4-a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must then certify the names of non-residents on the list.

Tompkins County Whole Health is seeking a Licensed Clinical Therapist to join our Children and Youth team. This is a full-timeposition working 40 hours per week. The hire rate is $42.98 per hour, with a working rate of $46.60 per hour after nine months.

The Children and Youth team provides assessment and treatment to children, youth, and their families, with services offered atour mental health clinic and in area schools. Clinicians may also have opportunities to serve adult clients based on program needs.

The successful candidate will participate in a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, nurses, peer specialists, and other licensed clinical therapists. TCWH supports clinicians through ongoing training and weekly individual and group supervision. Eligible employees may also explore student loan repayment opportunities through the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The ideal candidate is empathetic, enthusiastic, professional, and committed to learning. They should be prepared to work collaboratively in a fast-paced and rewarding environment while providing compassionate, person-centered care to children,youth, and families.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Current New York State licensure as recognized by New York State Department of Education as licensed professionals and recognized by the Office of Mental Health (OMH), including a Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker-R, Licensed Creative Arts Therapists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors OR

1.

Possession of a Master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Music Therapy, or a closely-related mental health field determined by the New York State Office of the Professions to meet the educational requirements for limited permit eligibility as an LMSW, LMHC, LMFT, or LCAT.

2.

NOTE:

If qualifying under Option 2 of the minimum qualifications, the selected candidate must, within 90 days of appointment, obtain a valid limited permit issued by the New York State Office of the Professions OR provide documentation demonstrating that a complete limited permit application has been submitted and is pending state approval.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a valid NYS class D Driver’s License at the time of appointment and maintenance of such license for the duration of employment.

Tompkins County Government centers diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to the empowerment of employees and residents to dismantle systemic barriers that inhibit inclusive governance and the provision of government services to all. Guided by our values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Equity, and Stewardship, we strive to build a workplace and community rooted in trust, belonging, and opportunity for all.

Learn more about our Strategic Plan and Institutionalizing Equity Report, which embed equity across our

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Licensed Clinical Therapist role is to provide initial diagnostic assessments, individualized person-centered treatment planning, individual, family and/or group psychotherapy and/or other therapeutic interventions, crisis intervention, complex care coordination, and referrals for other services as appropriate. The Licensed Clinical Therapist functions as the primary therapist for individuals of all ages, families, and groups that are affected by any of a wide range of diagnosable mental health challenges.Many of these individuals are at high risk in various life domains, including interpersonal, intra-psychic, family dynamics, employment, housing, legal, emotional stability, daily living skills, coping skills, and many other types of functional deficits.Awareness of and full participation and cooperation with the Department and County Corporate Compliance programs is an expected responsibility of an incumbent in this position. Supervision may be exercised over the work of social work interns, bachelor-level professionals or volunteers. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Clinic Supervisor and within the incumbent’s scope of practice as outlined by the New York State Education Department. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE:

Completes initial diagnostic assessments on individuals requesting mental health services to determine medical necessity for treatment, including assessment of mental illness, identification of symptoms that interfere with the individual’s ability to function adequately in their daily life, and identification of problem areas that will lead to person centered treatment planning;

Provides psychotherapy and/or other clinical interventions to adults, children, couples, families, and groups, many of whom are high risk clients;

Provides crisis intervention services both in person and by telephone, coordinates the provision of emergency services as needed and refers clients to appropriate agencies for ongoing services;

Provides crisis intervention services in community settings or homes as required by the needs of the clients and the Department;

Receives and responds to telephone referrals from human service agencies, law enforcement agencies, County Departments, and other community agencies or individuals who are experiencing crisis situations that may require immediate intervention;

Coordinates services and treatment plans with other agency professionals for clients who are connected with, or have need of the services of, those other agencies;

Is responsible for understanding and adherence to both the Department and the County Corporate Compliance programs.

Corporate Compliance refers to the adherence to all Federal, State, and local laws that pertain to the work performed;

Arranges transportation to hospital for clients requiring hospitalization or psychiatric evaluation;

Participates in regularly scheduled group supervision and intake meetings, providing peer consultation to the other professionals involved;

Participate in multidisciplinary Departmental or Community team meetings to assist with the formulation of a community care plan for individuals who present with a mental illness and other complex human services needs;

Provides consultation to professionals, paraprofessionals, community agencies, law enforcement officials, volunteers, and others who have questions regarding mental health symptoms, treatment options, and/or other issues;

Completes all required documentation in a timely manner in accordance with department policy, regulation and law;

Performs court-ordered psychiatric evaluations and provides written report to the court in a timely manner; May supervise MSW-level interns, bachelor-level professionals and/or volunteers; May be called to testify in legal matters.

May participate in Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) by taking on-call or primary work responsibility. MCT team members respond to individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis by phone or in person. In person responses are coordinated in a co-response with lawenforcement. MCT clinicians provide evaluations, psychological assessments, crisis intervention, risk assessments, safety planning and referrals for individuals in the community living with behavioral health disorders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of current theories, principles and practices of psychotherapy and/or other therapeutic interventions;

Good knowledge of crisis intervention techniques;

Good knowledge of local resources available to clients;

Good knowledge of the care for persons with co-occurring or multiple disabilities;

Good knowledge of the requirements, practices and procedures to ensure compliance with all

Federal, State, and local laws that govern the work performed;

Ability to classify the psychopathology manifested by clients in accordance with the most current version of the Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual;

Ability to identify and implement effective clinical intervention strategies to address the functional impairment of the individual;

Ability to provide culturally sensitive and trauma informed services;

Ability to research methods of care relevant to specific cultural, ethnic, and racial groups;

Ability to research, understand, and implement effective evidence-based clinical interventions;

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with professionals, paraprofessionals and volunteers from a variety of agencies;

Ability to promote a positive, welcoming, and inclusive environment for clients and co-workers;

Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing;

Ability to make decisions and take decisive action in crisis intervention in a variety of physical locations and social/interpersonal situations;

Empathy, good judgment, initiative and tact are required;

Familiarity with and ability to utilize a variety of computer programs and functions, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

The employee's mental and physical condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to keyboard, handle, or feel objects, manipulate tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to see, walk, talk and hear.The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Due to extensive computer usage, the job requires considerable visual effort. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus to a mid-range.

MENTAL:

Psychological demands are moderate for this position. Considerable interpersonal skills are necessary in order to create connections, obtain buy-in, cooperation with community agencies, municipalities and throughout the organization. Internal contacts may include work with elected officials, department heads or deputies and will require professional collaboration on overlapping projects. External contacts are with professional associates, liaisons, community groups and involve the development of professional networks.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

The work environment has minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions. The incumbent will perform allrelated duties as required.

Originally created 11/2021

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