Youth Specialist - Community Operations (DBH0460022-100926)

State of Missouri; Nevada (MO); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Youth Specialist in Missouri is responsible for guiding and supporting Southwest region providers, partnering agencies, and Missouri families. This role reports to the Southwest Chief of Children’s Community Operations and requires in-office presence in Nevada, Missouri, with travel potential.

The position involves multiple program knowledge bases, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to coordinate teams and drive compliance with contract standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline preferred; or four years of professional experience in mental health/substance use fields.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Sound judgment and independent decision‑making are needed to succeed in this role.
• Ability to bring teams together and work well within a team.

Responsibilities

• Monitor for youth SCL facility contract compliance every three months or as assigned; prepare timely monitoring reports.
• Conduct contract compliance reviews and quality assurance reviews as assigned.
• Complete youth SCL regional financial monthly reports on time.
• Provide technical assistance and training to providers, facilities and stakeholders as needs are identified.
• Advise supervisor of systematic shortfalls and barriers.
• Respond to provider, community and stakeholder inquiries promptly and within timelines.
• Negotiate solutions to inquiries/complaints within the allotted timeframe.
• Participate in community initiatives and projects as developed or assigned.
• Coordinate with supervisors, providers, families and agencies as needed.
• Attend and participate in provider, community and stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team coordination

Independent decision-making

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in health-related discipline

Job description

The Youth Specialist, is responsible for providing guidance and support to the Southwest regions (map here) providers, partnering agencies, and Missouri families. The Youth Specialist reports directly to the Southwest Chief of Children’s Community Operations. This position requires an understanding of multiple programs, each requiring distinct sets of knowledge, skills and abilities.

The base salary offered for this position is up to $56,500.08 annually, commensurate with education and experience. If the selected candidate is eligible for a pay differential, such as retention pay, the total salary may exceed what is listed in this posting.

This position is in the Southwestern Region, Missouri and directly reports to the Chief of Children’s Community Operations. This position is domiciled in Nevada, Missouri, and requires regular in-office presence.

This position requires travel with a potential for overnight stays.

• Monitor for youth Supported Community Living (SCL) facility contract compliance every three months, or otherwise assigned, as indicated by contract standard compliance and complete timely monitoring reports.
• Conduct special contract compliance reviews and quality assurance reviews reports timely and as assigned.
• Complete youth SCL regional financial monthly reports timely.
• Provide technical assistance and training as need or requested to community providers, contracted facilities and stakeholders when areas of need are identified in accessing and enhancing the DMH service array.
• Bring to the attention of supervisor/Chief of Children’s Community Operations (C3O) systematic shortfalls and barriers.
• Respond to provider, community, and stakeholder inquiries, requests, and concerns in an efficient and timely manner.
• Negotiate solution of inquiries/complaints within the timeframe assigned.
• Participate in community special initiatives, projects, etc. as developed and assigned.
• Respond to providers, families, collateral agencies, and co-workers in coordination with supervisor/C3O.
• Attend and participate in assigned provider, community and stakeholder meetings.

A bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline (i.e., social work, psychology, counseling, or Human Development) preferred; OR four years of professional experience in the specified mental health/substance use fields.

Applicants must be well organized and able to successfully manage multiple work priorities in an efficient and timely manner, with a high level of accountability. This position requires the applicant to obtain knowledge of existing DBH programs, including but not limited to, Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Comprehensive Substance use Treatment and Rehabilitation programming. Professional oral and written communication skills are essential. Sound judgement and strong independent decision-making skills are needed to be successful in this role. Ability to bring teams together and work well within the team is critical.

Lack of post‐secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

The Missouri Department of Mental Health is dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and public understanding of mental illness and developmental disabilities. By joining our team, YOU can make a difference in the lives of those impacted by a mental illness or developmental disability, so they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, live their lives to the fullest, and be a valued member of their communities.

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