Mental Health Specialist
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THIS POSITION IS CLASSIFIED AS A TEMPORARY POSITION
INTRODUCTION
This position is located in the Health & Human Services Department, Service Design and Engagement, Public Services Division at the DC Public Library (DCPL). Health & Human Services Department focuses on providing enhanced library services, social services, and public health services to the District's most vulnerable residents and to support staff in their work with these patrons. The Department does this using trauma-informed and harm-reduction approaches to serving patrons. For the past five years, DCPL has offered peer support to customers experiencing homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges. Currently, three DC Department of Behavioral Health Certified Peer Support Specialists, led by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, provide emotional support and referrals to services to DCPL’s unhoused customers and those with co-occurring disorders.
The Mental Health Specialist is part of an interdisciplinary team that includes the Health & Human Services Manager, the Health & Human Services Assistant Manager, and three Certified Peer Support Specialists. Responsibilities include providing a wide variety of social work supports focusing on making connections with customers inside DCPL library branches. Customers seeking services could include adults experiencing homelessness, adults with dual-diagnosis, transition-aged youth from 18-24 years, teens, and families. Services could include 1:1 brief therapy, group therapy, referrals to services, and mental health assessments.
Major Duties And Responsibilities
The incumbent must possess a master’s degree in social work or counseling and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker license (LCSW) and/or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCP). A minimum of five (5) years of experience preferred. At least one (1) year at the next lower grade level (CS 11; CS 9 and below will not be considered) In addition, the following is required:
A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 950) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING
This position is subject to general suitability screening; verification of employment history, reference checks and degree/license, as applicable. The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory general suitability screening.
ENHANCED SUITABILITY SCREENING
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening; If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and the appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.
Employee Benefits
You will be eligible for Sick & Safe Leave at the rate of 1 hour for every 37 hours worked. Benefits package differs for temporary WAE (When Actually Employed) employees.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
The Incumbent Must Possess One Of The Following Licenses
Work is performed at several DC Public Library locations within the District of Columbia. The work is done in a 7 day a week government agency, the incumbent may be required to work both day and evening shifts and weekends.
The incumbent will be required to travel to various locations and between locations throughout the District of Columbia to meet with customers at different library branches and to attend meetings and coordinate services.
Other Significant Factors
Duration of Appointment: Career Service Appointment - Temporary
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.
Promotion Potential – No known promotion potential
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.
Click here to review additional Employment Disclosure & Information for Applicants.
INTRODUCTION
This position is located in the Health & Human Services Department, Service Design and Engagement, Public Services Division at the DC Public Library (DCPL). Health & Human Services Department focuses on providing enhanced library services, social services, and public health services to the District's most vulnerable residents and to support staff in their work with these patrons. The Department does this using trauma-informed and harm-reduction approaches to serving patrons. For the past five years, DCPL has offered peer support to customers experiencing homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges. Currently, three DC Department of Behavioral Health Certified Peer Support Specialists, led by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, provide emotional support and referrals to services to DCPL’s unhoused customers and those with co-occurring disorders.
The Mental Health Specialist is part of an interdisciplinary team that includes the Health & Human Services Manager, the Health & Human Services Assistant Manager, and three Certified Peer Support Specialists. Responsibilities include providing a wide variety of social work supports focusing on making connections with customers inside DCPL library branches. Customers seeking services could include adults experiencing homelessness, adults with dual-diagnosis, transition-aged youth from 18-24 years, teens, and families. Services could include 1:1 brief therapy, group therapy, referrals to services, and mental health assessments.
Major Duties And Responsibilities
- Outreach to customers in branches to promote mental health services. Work with branch managers and direct supervisor to create promotional materials to promote mental health services at the branch and strategize about ways to engage customers.
- Take referrals from DCPL Health & Human Services Team, and branch staff to support library customers.
- Meet with customers to provide brief mental health therapeutic services in a non-traditional setting.
- Organize group therapy sessions that can include but are not limited to: general group therapy, art therapy, biblio-therapy, women’s groups, men’s groups, teen talk groups
- Maintain confidential notes using an electronic records system.
- Refer customers to other resources in the library, such as Peer Support/WE Care Program, digital navigator services, computer classes, employment resources, or other programming and services available at the library.
- Refer customers to other mental health supports in the community, housing supports, other social services using online tools and knowledge of other resources in the community.
- Provide referrals to agencies, governmental and non-governmental, which may address the following customer needs: housing, food, mental health, medical care, clothing, legal and other social services.
- Prepares referral documents, assists customers in accessing services, provides advocacy, initiates follow-up to ensure customers receive satisfactory service.
- Utilize deep knowledge of community and other district governmental resources available and established connections with resources to make quality referrals when necessary.
- Deliver services in a manner that builds resiliency and supports customers using strength-based, trauma-informed, harm-reduction strategies, and choice all in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Maintain and support continuous quality improvement activities including assisting with client satisfaction surveys.
- Attend trainings and related professional development activities to further clinical practices.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
The incumbent must possess a master’s degree in social work or counseling and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker license (LCSW) and/or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCP). A minimum of five (5) years of experience preferred. At least one (1) year at the next lower grade level (CS 11; CS 9 and below will not be considered) In addition, the following is required:
- Knowledge of the theoretical concepts, principles, and techniques of the psychological, social and rehabilitative aspects of treating mental health problems. Knowledge of psychiatric, psychological and medical terminology used in the assessment, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of mental health problems.
- Knowledge of community resources and other institutions that serve District residents needing mental health services and social services.
- Knowledge of the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Skills in clinical therapeutic practices such as but not limited to; CBT, group therapy, somatic therapy, strength-based therapy, art therapy, brief therapy, etc.
- Experience cannot be substituted education
A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 950) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING
This position is subject to general suitability screening; verification of employment history, reference checks and degree/license, as applicable. The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory general suitability screening.
ENHANCED SUITABILITY SCREENING
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening; If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and the appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.
Employee Benefits
You will be eligible for Sick & Safe Leave at the rate of 1 hour for every 37 hours worked. Benefits package differs for temporary WAE (When Actually Employed) employees.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
The Incumbent Must Possess One Of The Following Licenses
- Clinical Social Worker License (District of Columbia)
- Professional Counselor License (District of Columbia)
- Must hold professional liability insurance
Work is performed at several DC Public Library locations within the District of Columbia. The work is done in a 7 day a week government agency, the incumbent may be required to work both day and evening shifts and weekends.
The incumbent will be required to travel to various locations and between locations throughout the District of Columbia to meet with customers at different library branches and to attend meetings and coordinate services.
Other Significant Factors
Duration of Appointment: Career Service Appointment - Temporary
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.
Promotion Potential – No known promotion potential
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.
Click here to review additional Employment Disclosure & Information for Applicants.
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