VOA offers very competitive wage ranges based on a final candidate's overall experience, education and licensure. Due to a variation in what professional background may be required under our grant, VOA would be happy to disclose a potential range based on an applicant's potential professional background very early in the process. VOA Northern New England is looking to expand our mission in providing further support, collaboration, and outreach in regard to Diversion and Deflection and Restorative Justice as it applies to individuals with Mental Health Disorders or co-occurring Mental Health Substance Use Disorders who encounter law enforcement. In our expansion to acquire talent with further certification and experience, VOA Northern New England is excited to announce the open position of the Community Liaison under the Connect & Protect Grant.

For this position, VOA would be seeking an individual with education, experience, and certification in the mental health field. The position we are implementing is in partnership with Knox County Sheriff’s Office. We will consider, at a minimum, candidates with an active MHRT-C; LSW candidates with experience in the mental health field; an LCPC or an LCSW with experience in advocacy, best care, diversion of individuals to community-based resources, and collaboration and education surrounding law enforcement and the community to promote and connect to available recovery resources.

The Mental Health Liaison is a hands-on position of considerable responsibility and complexity working collaboratively and directly in the area of police operations, who provide education, outreach and case management in the area of Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders as it relates to Diversion and Deflection from incarceration. Mental Health Liaisons also engage in a conflict resolution process for non-criminal related responses in collaboration with Law Enforcement and Restorative Justice. Under the framework of Connect and Protect, the Mental Health Liaison will help to promote strategies by law enforcement to identify and reduce the risk of harm to individuals with Mental Health Disorders, or individuals with co-occurring Mental Health Substance Use Disorders, who encounter law enforcement. In line with that priority, the Mental Health Liaison will seek to improve public safety.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Assist individuals with presumed substance use disorder to divert into community-based treatment and support services prior to incarceration.

2. Facilitate pathways to evidenced based treatment and support services

3. Provide intervention, referral, advocacy, and facilitation services, in partnership with the members of law enforcement, through referrals and direct contacts with individuals known to have substances use and mental health disorders.

4. Work closely with other health and mental health professionals to access and facilitate best care for individual’s needs.

5. Educate members of the law enforcement, and the community, about related recovery resources available in the community.

6. Establish strong working relationships with community providers. Particularly treatment providers for mental health services and substance use services to include medicated assisted treatment.

7. Work in collaboration with diversion & deflection coordinator, reentry programs manager and director of community justice programs to assist in connecting individuals booked into regional jails to either post releases services if bailed, post incarceration or on pre-trial status.

8. Maintain statistics and records of client contacts in software systems.

9. Other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or 4 Years Equivalent job experience, preferred.
• MHRT-C; minimum certification/license requirement.
• LSW, with relevant experience, is eligible to apply.
• LCPC, with relevant experience, is eligible to apply.
• LCSW, with relevant experience, is eligible to apply.
• Experience with the program-defined population is preferred.
• Experience in the development and use of community resources.
• Excellent written and oral communication, organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends.
• A valid Maine driver’s license and a safe driving record is required.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability/Flexibility to work in Waldo or Knox County.

VOA offers very competitive wage ranges based on a final candidate's overall experience, education and licensure. Due to a variation in what professional background may be required under our grant, VOA would be happy to disclose a potential range based on an applicant's potential professional background very early in the process.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• MHRT-C (Preferred)
• LSW, conditional LSW, LCPC or LCSW (Preferred)

Work Location: In person