Mental Health Program Associate (Per-Diem)

The NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) promotes and supports inclusive, safe, affordable, healthy aging. NYC Aging remains steadfast in its role and responsibility to preserve the dignity and quality of life for approximately 1.8 million diverse older New Yorkers by eliminating food insecurity, providing access to affordable, stable housing, enhancing access to quality healthcare services and protecting older New Yorkers from harm and abuse with the ultimate goal of a more age-friendly city in which older adults can age gracefully with respect.

The Geriatric Mental Health program provides several mental health interventions to address the mental health needs of older adults living within NYC, including embedding licensed mental health clinicians at older adult centers to destigmatize mental health through engagement activities and provides clinical mental health treatment; providing mental health services to older adults who have experienced abuse and/or crime; mental health services to those impacted by COVID-19 to help them age in place by addressing mental health, substance use disorder and aging service needs.

The Mental Health Program Associate will implement services that address older adults' mental health needs, including but not limited to; with latitude for independent action and judgment:

• Assist and support the Director of Mental Health Initiatives in the implementation, administration, coordination, oversight, and monitoring NYC Aging's mental health initiatives.
• Conduct site visits to program sites within NYC Aging's older adult centers, focusing specifically on assigned borough-based providers as well as providing back-up to other boroughs/providers when necessary.
• Provide contract management, including completing program assessments and performance evaluations of contracted mental health providers.
• Review and monitor provider productivity, reviewing monthly variance and completing variance reports, reviewing and approving provider invoices.
• Provide technical assistance for providers in utilizing NYC Aging's database to ensure program success.
• Provide clinical support to mental health clinical staff in the development and implementation of engagement activities.
• Utilize clinical skills/expertise and administrative skills to develop, monitor, update, and organize clinician’s learning collaborative forums.
• Utilize professional literature, research, and innovative programming to provide support to mental health clinical staff.
• Coordinate and lead virtual and face-to-face meetings with provider and involved stakeholders at designated Older Adult Centers (OAC).
• Report weekly or as needed to the Director of Mental Health Initiatives, providing status reports and updates on clinical areas and needs arising within sites.
• Work with the Director to develop plans and interventions for sites.
• Generate reports monthly, quarterly and annually in conjunction with the provider agencies, older adult centers, and the needs of the division to fulfill mandates on the status of the program in relation to data and contract obligations.
• Travel within the 5 boroughs of NYC as this position involves fieldwork.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work and three years of full-time satisfactory experience practicing social work utilizing one, or a combination of, casework, group work and community organization methodologies, at least two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
• Certification/License Requirements: A valid Certified Social Worker (CSW) certificate or Licensed Master of Social Work license (LMSW) issued by the New York State Department of Education must be obtained within one year of the date of appointment. Employees who fail to obtain their CSW or LMSW within one year after appointment will automatically have their probationary period extended for no more than six months. Failure to obtain the CSW or LMSW by the end of 18 months of service will result in dismissal.
• Special Note: Section 424-a of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report. The agency has the discretion to assign a candidate who has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report to a position with no child-care responsibilities.

Preferred Skills

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) preferred.
• Minimum of three years of post-licensure experience; licensure as a psychologist is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in data management and report writing is highly desirable.
• Proven track record in developing effective community outreach strategies preferred.
• Clinical experience with diverse populations, particularly in geriatric or aging services, is a plus.
• Strong background in clinical consultation and the ability to provide clinical support is preferred.
• Project management experience is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel, is required.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

This Per Diem position is full-time (35 hours per week) and is paid an hourly rate. Per Diem employees who work 35 hours/week receive health and dental benefits. Leave accrual rates for annual leave and sick leave is based on hours worked. Paid holidays will commence after 18 months of full-time employment.