Advocacy Specialist 1 OR Advocacy Specialist 2, Central Office;

ADVOCACY SPECIALIST 1, SG-14 (Salary Range $50,678 - $64,693):
Qualified candidates must possess: A Bachelor's degree in a human services field AND one year experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health.
OR A Bachelor's and Master's degree in a human services field.
OR Five years of experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health.

ADVOCACY SPECIALIST 2, SG-18 (Salary Range $63,108 - $80,248):
Qualified candidates must possess: A Bachelor's degree in a human services field AND two years experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health.
OR A Bachelor's and Master's degree in a human services field AND one year of experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health.
OR Six years of experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference may be given to candidates who have:
• Lived experience navigating the children's system of care as a parent/caregiver
• Experience as a Family Peer Advocate

Duties Description The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill a Advocacy Specialist 1, SG-14, OR an Advocacy Specialist 2, SG-18, position in the Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services (OAPSS) located at the Albany, Central Office. The salary grade to which the selected candidate is appointed will be dependent on candidate qualifications. OAPSS works to ensure the inclusion of recipient and family perspectives into OMH policy making, planning, program development, and evaluation. The incumbent will work to promote awareness of recovery, self-help and empowerment, and the inclusion of family members of current and former users of mental health services into all areas of the mental health system. The incumbent will serve at a Statewide level and function as a Statewide Family Advocate, interacting and collaborating with the Division of Integrated Community Services for Children and Families, Field Office staff, Central Office staff, and local mental health providers to deliver technical assistance, oversight, and training to State and local mental health programs Statewide.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide feedback and recommendations concerning the development of new family initiatives, policy implementation, and the expansion of agency initiatives as they relate to recipient and family services.

• Assist with input/direction on OMH policies, program development and guidance documents.

• Promote the inclusion of family members of current and former users of mental health services and Family Peer Advocates in planning, policy implementation, program development, evaluation, monitoring, and related activities.

• Promote and support peer services in OMH licensed and funded services.

• Aid in statewide coordination and support to the Family Peer Advocate Workforce including working in various community-based organizations and in OMH state operated programs.

• Participate in OMH workgroups (composed of recipients, families, providers, county government staff, and the general public) and in Statewide and regional initiatives to ensure that the family and Family Peer Advocates' interests are represented.

• Participate in OMH or system related workgroups, committees and meetings.

• Aid in the collaboration with psychiatric centers, central office and field office staff to continue to incorporate the family perspective into Agency services.

• Review and support family peer service provider agencies and services.

• Provide a statewide perspective, as well as provide technical assistance, in support of the provision of consultation and assistance to State facility staff, local government, and provider agency staff on methods for promoting youth recipient and family member involvement in planning, implementing, and evaluating mental health services.

• Aid in the development and implementation of family support programs, initiatives, and training within the public mental health system by developing and/or facilitating a training curriculum to staff and stakeholders at State facilities and community-based programs. Evaluate training effectiveness and
make suggestions for improvements.

• Assist in the organization of focus groups, town meetings, work groups, and dialogues to gather feedback and direction from family members of individuals who use services on mental health related issues.

• Provide support for managed care/Medicaid billing of peer services.

• Address parent calls and parent engagement for services.

• Provide guidance and technical assistance to OMH staff, OMH contract vendors, and key community stakeholders in implementing family support projects and initiatives.

o Aid in the development and implementation of project proposals, and outreach and engagement strategies to foster community buy-in.

o Review and modify goals, timelines, strategic plans or deliverables.

• Provide advice, assistance, and training to ensure mental health services are trauma informed, person centered, resilience and recovery oriented, and culturally inclusive.

• Provide advice assistance, and training to ensure providers/programs are family/youth friendly and upholding the values of youth-guided and family-driven principles.

• Promote awareness of resilience, recovery, self-help, and empowerment by disseminating evidence based and best practices information to recipients, families, providers, and the general public.

Additional Comments The salary for candidates appointed to Advocacy Specialist 1, SG-14, starts at $50,678 and for candidates appointed to Advocacy Specialist 2, SG-18, starts at $63,108. The salary grade to which the selected candidate is appointed will be dependent on candidate qualifications. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate's salary at the time of hire.

The Mission of the New York State Office of Mental Health is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. OMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, OMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring OMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability for this position will be discussed during the interview process. Please note, employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to operational needs and Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Janelle Zamierowski

Telephone

Fax (518) 486-3897

Email Address OMHHRM@OMH.NY.GOV

Address

Street NYS Office of Mental Health

44 Holland Avenue

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12229

Notes on Applying To be considered for this position, interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume in Microsoft Word or PDF format as an attachment to omhhrm@omh.ny.gov. Please include the title of the position and Vacancy ID #166863 in the subject line of your email when applying.

You are advised that, should you accept a job offer with the Office of Mental Health, you may be required to be fingerprinted and pay a fingerprint fee.