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County of Alpine Adopted:8/16/2011 Revised: 8/19/2014 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT PROGRAM SPECIALIST DEFINITION Under general supervision this position will be responsible for conducting outreach and engagement activities, offering rehabilitation services, providing individual case management services and implementation of the Mental Health Services Act plan program objectives. Services will be offered at the wellness center and across the County as appropriate and other related duties as assigned. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is a single-position classification responsible for implementing mental health programs, conducting outreach and offering rehabilitation services to mental health clients under direction of a health professional. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES – Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Conduct outreach and engagement activities related to mental health promotions, awareness and education. Ensures services are delivered in a manner consistent with the principles of the Mental Health Services Act Plan. Participate in program and plan development. Provide individual case management services as assigned. Promotes the delivery of culturally and linguistically competent services and helps engage diverse communities in services. Develops community re-entry plans for mental health clients. Organizes and develops support groups for clients and families. Makes appropriate referrals for client services. Prepares a variety of reports and documentation including progress notes on client behavior. Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: California Mental Health Services Act and funding sources. Principles and techniques related to care and treatment of the mentally ill. Basic concepts of mental and emotional disturbances and mental deficiencies. Medical terminology and concepts related to basic mental health care. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mental Health Services Act Program Specialist Page 2 Crisis intervention and responding to client emergency situations. County and department policies and procedures. Programs, goals and purpose of the assigned department. Modern office technology, including the use of computers for word and data processing. Ability to: Observe and accurately describe client behavior and activities. Act as an advocate for the mentally ill. Learn, understand, interpret and apply pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards. Maintain accurate records and files. Deal tactfully and effectively with persons contacted in the course of work, including those of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Use initiative and sound, independent judgment within established guidelines. Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction. Professionally handle and maintain a significant amount of sensitive and/or confidential information or materials as required. Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Sociology or a related social science field or completion of core college course work in sociology, or a related social science field and three years of progressively responsible experience working in a community based behavioral health program(s) that would demonstrate the possession of the above knowledge and abilities. Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible professional or administrative experience preferably in the behavioral health field utilizing MHSA funding. Other Requirements: Possession of a valid California driver’s license. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mental Health Services Act Program Specialist Page 3 TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical 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. Requires the ability to sit at desk for long periods of time and intermittently walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch and reach while performing office duties; lift and/or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds frequently and 25 pounds occasionally; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Must be able to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating office equipment. Must be able to use a telephone to communicate verbally and a keyboard to communicate through written means, to review information and enter/retrieve data, to see and read characters on a computer screen. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.