Program Specialist Senior – Aid and Assist – KSA African American R-11750

**When applying please be sure to follow ALL instructions under “Screening & Application”**

As the Program Specialist Senior – Aid and Assist – KSA Black/African American (AA) you will be responsible for complex planning, coordination and advocacy for individuals with mental illness who are entangled in the legal system. The duties of the person in this position range from macro level collaboration with numerous city, county and community partners, including Oregon State Hospital (OSH), District Attorney’s office, County Courts, Multnomah County Detention/Inverness Jails, agency mental health providers, etc., to in-person rapport, relationships and trust development with individuals who have often experienced repeated prejudice, discrimination, and/or abuse in the community.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): This position requires advanced knowledge of and experience working with the Black/African American community. This would be demonstrated by understanding and supporting cultural considerations that impact clients, including over-representation of Black, Indigenous and other People of Color in the criminal/legal system and the impact of trauma, including racial trauma. The incumbent must specifically know the African American/Black Community, historical and current barriers to mental health services, and has knowledge of the traditions, values and customs of the culture.

As the Program Specialist Senior – Aid and Assist – KSA AA, other duties will include:

Culturally Specific Community Based Intervention, Assessment, and Direction

• Form relationships and knowledge sharing to become fully knowledgeable about the program or service for how it may meet the needs of the Aid and Assist Program, diverse clients, and provider organizations or consultations may occur in community, jail, or Oregon State Hospital (OSH) settings.
• As a subject matter expert, this position will utilize data to analyze service gaps that act as barriers to less restrictive levels of care for aid and assist clients.
• Provide strategic direction in developing, defining, and conceptualizing complex interventions and supports for clients with distinct, mandatory service needs.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client demographics and service contacts in order to provide accurate reporting to Oregon Health Authority, OSH, division and department leadership, and grant funders, for reporting and documentation needs, and also to supply how the gaps might be filled and by whom.
• Stay abreast of and strategically adapt workflows to accommodate changes in legislation or administrative rules that impact forensic diversion programs, sharing information and training of teams and others for such legal and procedural changes.
• Act as a lead authority to internal and external partners about local and state statutes and requirements statutes related to persons who are unable to aid and assist in defense of legal charges, and the range of interventions that may be employed to restore individuals to competency.
• Participate in maintenance and updating of data collection and evaluations for the preparation of performance reports for funding providers and for senior managers at the highest level.
• Serve as subject matter expert on the assessment and data evaluations to drive system improvements, and client/provider assess for service attainment.

Culturally Specific Consultation and Documentation

• Conduct comprehensive community consultations per ORS/OAR for individuals who are unable to aid and assist in their defense of criminal charges.
• Utilize State form for reporting findings and making recommendations to the Court.
  Consultations may occur in community, jail, or Oregon State Hospital (OSH) settings and consultations and assessments may occur in person or via video.
• Make and document monthly contact with clients committed to OSH for restoration based on the stated recommendations and connections to providers, legal representatives, etc.
• Make and document monthly contact and evaluation of status with OSH QMHP for each client committed to OSH.
• Maintain consultation, assessments, and Court Recommendations records in a confidential manner to protect personal and health-based information.
• Attend the weekly Aid and Assist court docket, verify client and/or representative appearance and/or participation, report results of consultations to the court, provide status updates to the court regarding individuals participating in community restoration of fitness to proceed, document court outcomes to evaluate for quality improvement plans and system compliance to achieve program results, and client representation and overall health improvements.
• Meet with clients in the community to assess status and to provide crisis assessment and consultation when necessary, including referrals to recommended and appropriate community-based services in order to facilitate diversion from and discharge from OSH as well as helping to maintain a client’s successful community placement.

Oregon State Hospital Liaison

• Meet face to face with current and potential clients currently at the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) under ORS 161.365 and ORS 161.370 Orders.
• Order 365 includes procedures for determining the issue of client’s fitness to proceed, and the primary treatment goals for patients under a .370 order are stabilization and achieving a level of capacity so they can cooperate with attorneys and participate in their own defense.
• This position will continually assess for community restoration based on currently available treatment options and levels of care.
• Complete needs assessments and make recommendations to client’s treatment teams regarding level of care needed or available, linkage plan, and referrals to community resources for individuals returning to Multnomah County.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications (REQUIRED):

Education/Certification: Must meet the standards of Qualified Mental Health Professional – (QMHP – C) with the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) – more information can be found at MHACBO website. Current QMHP – C, and/or licensed Board of Oregon (LPC, LCSW, PHD,etc).

Graduate degree in psychology or

Graduate degree in social work or counseling or

Graduate degree in a behavioral science field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): This position requires advanced knowledge of and experience working with the African American community. This would be demonstrated by understanding and supporting cultural considerations that impact clients, including over-representation of Black, Indigenous and other People of Color in the criminal/legal system and the impact of trauma, including racial trauma. The incumbent must specifically know the African American/Black Community, historical and current barriers to mental health services, and has knowledge of the traditions, values and customs of the culture.

Other:

• This position requires a background investigation, which may include being fingerprinted.
• Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/ transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates.

• CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
• 5 years of direct work experience, at any level, with adults diagnosed with serious mood and thought disorders.
• Knowledge of issues faced by those who experience behavioral health challenges and a basic understanding of the full continuum of care for those in need of services.
• Lead with race through actions and advocacy with internal programs, with community partners and across departments throughout the county.
• Demonstrate the ability to flex style when faced with myriad dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural context.
• Respect and appreciation for ethnic and cultural diversity.
• Ability to collaborate and build relationships to achieve positive work outcomes.
• Ability to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.
• High degree of resilience, is outcome driven, and can thrive in an environment of rapid change while managing pressure in an effective and professional manner.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING & EVALUATION (REQUIRED):

The Application Packet: You must submit ALL requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Attach a Resume demonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications; AND

2. Attach a Cover Letter addressing the following:

• Demonstrate your experience working with Black/African American communities who have or who are at high risk for criminal/legal involvement, houselessness, crisis services, safety net services and severe and persistent mental illness and substance use challenges; AND
• Demonstrate your affiliation and experience (lived and professional) working directly with individuals and families who identify with the African American community

Teleworking (if applicable) : At this time, this position is designated to “routine telework,” meaning you will be working remotely (from home) most of the time; a hybrid schedule also is available. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion. The designation of Routine Telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Tagged as: Behavioral Health, human services, Mental Health