CERTIFIED ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR (HELPS) - STREET PSYCHIATRY

POSITION

Certified Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselor (HELPS) - Street Psychiatry

DEPARTMENT

Albany County Department of Mental Health SALARY:

$55,132 WORK

LOCATION AND HOURS

260 South Pearl St, Albany/35 Hours

BENEFITS

► Paid Time-Off ► Tuition Reimbursement ► NYS Retirement ► Health, Dental, Vision and Hearing ► Employee Assistance Program ► Public Service Loan Forgiveness

DESCRIPTION

Albany County Department of Mental Health is seeking applications to fill a vacancy for a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) for its Street Psychiatry program. The new Street Psychiatry Pilot Program will provide behavioral health ser- vices to homeless or unhoused residents in Albany County. Street Psychiatry is a nationally recognized model of engaging individu- als in need who have traditionally been unable or reluctant to engage with traditional office-based behavioral health services. The Street Psychiatry Program will go beyond traditional models and meet people where they are at. The ACDMH team will meet people directly on the streets, in parks, or in other public places. The incumbent will provide assessments and referrals of clients/patients with social, emotional, and vocational difficulties related to their disability (alcoholism, substance abuse, mental illness, etc.). The work is primarily assessment, linkage, follow-up, and monitoring of clients/patients and their referral to the appropriate level of care and appropriate service providers. The position requires the credential of Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor issued by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to a Qualified Health Professional approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Does related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of at least an Associate's Degree from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university and four (4) years of paid full-time experience in a Human Services field. Experience claimed may not include experience gained as part of, or required under, participation as a patient in a formal alcoholism and/or substance abuse treatment/aftercare program and/or plan.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Possession of a current CASAC credential granted by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuses Services at time of appointment. Incumbent is required to maintain the appropriate certification during employment. Please submit your resume and copies of certification with this application.

POINT OF CONTACT FOR INQUIRIES

amna.siddiqui@albanycountyny.gov Candidates will not have to take an exam for this title. This is a Hiring Emergency Limited Placement (HELP) Program- designated title. The HELP Program is a temporary program designed to help local government employers address current staffing issues. Traditionally, the titles filled under the HELP Program required job candidates to compete in a competitive exam to be considered for employment. For the duration of the program, this title will be classified as non-competitive and categorized as a "HELP Program" position. At the close of the program, this position will revert to competitive class status. Employees occupying positions filled through the HELP Program will be granted competitive class status without the need to participate in a competitive exam.