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County of Alpine Adopted: January 3, 2017 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT PROGRAM SPECIALIST DEFINITION Under general supervision by the Mental Health Services Act Coordinator, this position will be responsible for conducting outreach and engagement activities under the implementation of the County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) plan and program objectives. Services will be offered at the wellness center and across the County as appropriate. Other related duties as assigned. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS Responsible for implementing community based programs, conducting outreach and offering non-clinical services to behavioral health clients and the community under close supervision of the MHSA Coordinator. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES – Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Conducts outreach and engagement activities related to behavioral health promotions, awareness and education. Prepares food for community programs and events. Creates outreach materials for BHS programs and services. Implements programs and activities under the County’s MHSA plan. Ensures services are delivered in a manner consistent with the principles of the Mental Health Services Act. Participates in the MHSA plan and program development. Promotes the delivery of culturally and linguistically competent services and helps engage diverse communities in services. Takes active measures to promote programs and conduct outreach to improve and/or enhance participation in programs and meetings. Makes appropriate referrals for client services. Assists in the evaluation of the readiness of the department’s service delivery system to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the target population and reports findings to the leadership team. Work towards the reduction of disparities in services for the local Native American population. Develops and implements consumer and community events which focus on cultural awareness. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance the delivery of services. Other duties as assigned. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mental Health Services Act Program Specialist Page 2 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: California Mental Health Services Act, its principles, history, implementation standards and related legislation. Principles and techniques related to behavioral health service provision. Educational and therapeutic methods and resources. County and department policies and procedures. Programs, goals and purpose of the assigned department. Modern office technology, including the use of computers for communication, word and data processing. Ability to: Work nights and weekends as needed. Travel extensively throughout Alpine County. Observe and accurately describe client behavior and activities. Act as an advocate for people with behavioral health issues. Relate well to all community members. Deal tactfully and effectively with persons contacted in the course of work, including those of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Work with children and adults of all ages. Network and collaborate with stakeholders. Conduct creative community outreach. Maintain accurate records and files. 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. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mental Health Services Act Program Specialist Page 3 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 professional or administrative experience preferably in the behavioral health field utilizing MHSA funding. Other Requirements: Prefer that the individual live in the consumer service area. Prefer that the individual is or was a consumer of behavioral health services or the family member of a consumer of behavioral health services. Possession of a valid driver’s license. 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, operating a motor vehicle 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.