Mental Health Specialist

Description

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities.? Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to heal the wounds of war and to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and to end homelessness and poverty among those we serve. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at

www.swords-to-plowshares.org

Summary

The full-time, non-exempt Mental Health Specialist implements mental health and substance abuse services to a caseload of formerly homeless veterans. The Mental Health Specialist provides individual case management, group facilitation, intake and assessment, advocacy and referrals. ?This position reports to the Program Manager at Veterans Academy in the Presidio.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES include but may not be limited to:

• Provide case management to a caseload of veterans who have experienced homelessness, utilizing a harm reduction approach.
• Provide Substance Abuse and Mental Health services for veterans as needed.
• Conduct a monthly community meeting in conjunction with the Property Manager
• Collaborate with Property Management as needed and attend weekly Coordination meeting.
• Complete reporting in a timely manner based on agency and external funder requirements.
• Complete internal data input into case management tracking software (currently using ECM)
• Complete all required program documentation to include but not limited to: intake and assessment, progress notes, group notes, Individual Development Plan (Life Plan), data for in-house reports, correspondence, etc.
• Collaborate with community partners to ensure resident stability and retention of housing.
• Facilitate connection to recreational activities.
• Assist veteran residents to meet program goals regarding Housing Retention, Increased Skills or Income, connection with Mainstream Resources, Payment of Rent, and Money Management.
• Attend required meetings and trainings.
• Perform comparable related duties as required by management, such as accompanying veteran residents to appointments when needed, supporting Property Management in acquiring and distributing food received from community resources, occasional meal preparation and front desk duties, and wellness checks.
• Attend ongoing training.

Requirements include:

• Bachelor's degree required. Masters in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling preferred.
• Two (2) years of experience providing direct services to people experiencing homelessness
• Familiarity with Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing
• Knowledge and application of the DSM V
• A working understanding of the needs of veterans who have experienced homelessness, with an emphasis on mental illness and substance use disorders
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques
• Ability to provide individual case management and group facilitation regarding concurrent substance abuse, mental health, and medical disorders
• Good listening skills
• Ability to be a team player
• Ability to role model for clients and staff healthy boundaries and interpersonal skills
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite Programs, Internet based programs, Email, Online Timecard Entry system, scanner, fax, multi-line phone system.
• Ability to walk up and down stairs and sitting for long periods of time.
• Employees must be able to carry out the essential duties of the position within what can be considered reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to travel within San Francisco
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time

Salary & Benefits

Compensation is based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Swords to Plowshares offers a generous benefits package including the following benefits:

• Supportive Supervision model implemented agency wide?
• 100% Company Paid Medical and Dental for employees, there is a cost for Dependents.
• Agency paid Annual Medical Deductible paid via Navia Card
• 403(b) retirement plan immediate, with employer contribution after one year
• 17 vacation days in the first year, and progressive afterward
• 13 holidays each year
• Supportive environment
• Paid lunch Period
• Annual Education/Training allowance
• Acupuncture and Chiropractic program (Up to 30 sessions a year-paid by employer)

How to apply

Please use the enclosed link to apply: https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6154276.careers?ApplyToJob=470197161.

Swords to Plowshares is an inclusive employer and we are proud of the rich diversity among our staff.

Please join us!