Mental Health Specialist II UBHC

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC) seeks a Mental Health Specialist II for the South Brunswick School-Based Program. The role is to participate as part of a multidisciplinary team providing youth development activities, case management, and supportive counseling to students in the South Brunswick School District.

You will work with children ages 5-18, assist in crises, collaborate with school staff, design youth activities, and help ensure services meet student needs; standard

Qualifications

• Four years of full-time paid experience in a mental health field or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Active New Jersey certification/licensure if the degree is in Social Work.
• Experience working with children/adolescents and knowledge of child development.

Responsibilities

• Interacts with children and adolescents (ages 5-18) in a therapeutic, supportive manner.
• Assists clients in effectively managing crises.
• Provides case management and youth development activities to students.
• Collaborates with school district personnel and supervisor to identify appropriate youth development activities.
• Designs youth development workshops and other activities to enhance emotional and social development.
• Manages session/group facilitation effectively.
• Ensures that the expressed needs and strengths drive service delivery.

Skills

Child and adolescent experience

Knowledge of child development

Crisis management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant mental health, social, or human services field

Four years of full-time paid experience in a mental health field

Job description

Sep 17, 2026

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title

Recruitment/Posting Title Mental Health Specialist II UBHC

Job Category

Job Category Staff & Executive - Healthcare - Medical and Patient Services

Department

Department UBHC - Acute Children

Overview

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care ( UBHC ), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC's 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC , one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Mental Health Specialist II for the Child & Adolescent Services - South Brunswick School - Based Program within Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. The primary purpose of the Mental Health Specialist II is to participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team offering comprehensive youth development activities, case management, and supportive counseling to students in the South Brunswick School District. Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Interacts with children and adolescents (ages 5-18 years) in a therapeutic, supportive manner.
• Assists clients in effectively managing crises.
• Provides case management and youth development activities to students.
• In collaboration with school district personnel and in consultation with her supervisor identifies appropriate youth development activities for students and families.
• Designs youth development workshops and other activities that enhance the emotional and social development of students in collaboration with school district personnel.
• Consistently demonstrates session/group facilitation management skills, as applicable.
• Assures that the expressed needs and strengths of the individual served drive service delivery.

FLSA

FLSA Nonexempt

Grade

Grade 187

Salary Details

Minimum Salary 29.160

Mid Range Salary 29.660

Maximum Salary 30.550

Offer Information The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax‑deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 40.00

Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on‑site work arrangement.

Union Description

Teamsters 97

Payroll Designation

PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment

Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Four (4) years of full‑time paid experience (part‑time and/or per diem experience may be substituted for the full‑time equivalent) in a mental health field, or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant mental health, social, or human services field.

Certifications/Licenses

• Applicants possessing a degree in Social Work must have an active New Jersey certification/licensure as required by the State Board of Social Work.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience working with children and/or adolescents.
• Knowledge of child development (ages 5-18 years).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : Time spent in a school environment. Some travel to student homes and community agencies. Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 pounds). Frequently walks, bends, stretches, pushes and pulls.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : School setting is active and sometimes noisy. Varied settings in homes. Moderate noise (examples: business officewith computers and printers, light traffic). Subject to unpredictable situations, patient crises, both medical and psychiatric. Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors. Exposure to blood‑borne pathogens that requires use of personal protective equipment. May be exposedto varying or extreme temperatures.

Posting Number

26ST1792

Pre‑employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre‑employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

State

NJ

Regional Campus

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus

Off Campus