TRC – Mental Health Employment and Education Specialist Position Available In Chautauqua, New York

TRC

• Mental Health Employment and Education Specialist
  Job Description
  Posted Monday, June 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
  The Resource Center has been providing services to persons with disabilities in the Chautauqua County area since 1958.

From our humble beginnings as a gathering of parents and concerned citizens who wanted to provide educational and training opportunities for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, The Resource Center has grown into a comprehensive agency providing services to thousands of persons with all types and levels of disabilities.
The Resource Center is the largest non-governmental employer in Chautauqua County with more than 1,300 employees on its payroll.
The mission of The Resource Center is to support individuals with disabilities and other challenges in achieving maximum independence, contributing to their community, experiencing lifelong growth, and enjoying quality of life.
Behavioral Health Paraprofessional

RESPONSIBLE TO

Designated Program Manager

FUNCTION

To provide support, advocacy, and linkage to individuals enrolled in the Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) Program in an effort to empower individuals to become more involved in their personalized recovery goals. The Behavioral Health Paraprofessional will also provide education and advocacy to individuals being served and family members as directed by individualized treatment. This position is a supportive member of the interdisciplinary team.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Serves as a coordinator of services for a caseload identified by the Behavioral Health Services Program Manager, including participation in Team Meetings, Assessments and Treatment Plan formulation.
Provides active treatment for assigned individuals in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Develops a Treatment Plan to address specific identified needs which may include, but are not limited to: psycho/social (interpersonal) skills, self-esteem, depression/suicidal ideation, symptom control, anxiety and independent living skills.
Records each individual session and writes progress notes based on each individual contact. Notes are to include progress toward long

• and short-term goals, changes in Treatment Plan and other significant events.

Provides specific assessments within scope and expertise to individuals enrolled in designated program.
Makes referrals to other appropriate service providers and community resources as necessary.
Acts as liaison with other agencies and departments mutually involved in the individual’s care.
Attends team meetings as scheduled and advises team members of significant barriers and progress.
Meets all quality and productivity standards as defined by management and regulatory / funding entities.
Assists with Peer Review Board representation, community living exploration in the individual’s environment maximizing supports that occur naturally
Serves as an advocate for family members, legal/forensic support, and outreach and engagement efforts.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive knowledge of the mental health system, the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Model, and/or NYS Peer Support Model. Must be self-directed and self-motivated. Must possess a strong understanding of the person-centered approach and possess knowledge of or ability to learn the philosophy of empowerment. Must be well organized, demonstrate the ability to manage time effectively and demonstrate ability to maintain accurate records. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with individuals, families, clinicians and others involved in the provision of mental health services and community supports willingness and interest in providing direct service to those diagnosed with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to guidelines established by The Resource Center’s insurance carrier or equivalent accommodations required. Ability to provide off site services as required by program and schedule. Be able to flex scheduled work hours within program operation certificate, per program demands and requirements based on caseload and census. Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Paraprofessional

• Unlicensed Level 1: (SG 15)
  Unlicensed Behavioral Health Staff are qualified by professional and/or personal experience in a behavioral health setting. Unlicensed staff must be at least 18 years of age and have a
  high school diploma or equivalency certificate, and demonstrate six (6) months professional and/or personal experience in a mental health or human services field.
  Paraprofessional
• Unlicensed Level 2 (SG 16)
  In addition to Paraprofessional
• Unlicensed Level 1 Qualifications candidate must possess the following to be considered for Level 2:

Certified Peers:

Individuals who are certified or credentialed by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB) as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), including those with provisional certification (CPS-P), and individuals who have been credentialed by the Families Together in New York State as a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C), including those with provisional credentials (YPA-PC).
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN): Individuals who are currently licensed or permitted as an LPN by the NYS Education Department. Selected candidate must successfully complete a Drug Screen, Criminal Background Check and be cleared through NYS Justice Center. For any individuals hired with a certification in peer support, please note that in addition to agency policies and procedures, expectations will align with the NYPSCB Code of Ethical Conduct.
3/2022 r. 2/2025
The Resource Center
Grade 15/ 16
PTO/CAT 3

CFR:

390
APPENDIX

TECHNICAL:

Maintains responsibility for confidential and time sensitive information through the use of electronic management systems.
Effectively communicates with individuals, families, staff and outside agencies via phone and email in a professional and timely manner.
Utilizes Electronic Health Record to effectively manage work completion and remain within regulatory guidelines.
Seeks, reviews, and recommends changes, updates, and configurations as needed with assistance from program administration and management.

OTHER:

Presents in-service training topics in areas of expertise to other members of the Behavioral Health Services staff and other agency programs.
Participates in agency training as requested.
Performs other duties as requested by Program Manager or Behavioral Health Management Team.

REQUIRED TOOLS

PROS Specialist will have access to the following items:
Badge Access
Agency E-mail
Computer/Internet
d Drives
Electronic Health Record system
Agency Desk Phone or App based phone system on computer
Access to Healthelink, PSYCKES
Access to

OMH CAIRS

Access to NYESS
Agency Vehicle
Others as needed or requested
11/96 r. 4/2019 r.3/2022 r.2/2025
Behavioral Health Services

THE RESOURCE CENTER

SG 15/16 PTO 390
0
The Resource Center is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship status, military status, domestic violence status, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, physical or mental disability, any other category protected by law, or any other non-job related characteristic. As needed, The Resource Center will provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities to employees and applicants whenever such accommodation would not create an undue hardship or a safety concern in the conduct of TRC’s operations.
Job Details
Job Family
TRC

• Active
• PFL/DBL Eligible
  Pay Type
  Hourly
  Hiring Min Rate
  24.

4 USD
Hiring Max Rate
25.62 USD