MHPSS Officer

Key Outcomes:  

In the first 90 days, the MHPSS Officer will: 

• Learn and live the Americares values 

• Complete all required new hire onboarding trainings 

• Connect with pre-identified partner organizations in and around Asheville to begin MHPSS interventions that include but are not limited to decompression sessions, psychological debriefs, crisis stabilization and psychoeducational trainings 

• Work with the MHPSS Lead to identify data metrics to be captured during the project and how those will be tracked  

• Develop plans with partners for progression of interventions from crisis stabilization to capacity building 

In the first 6 months, the MHPSS Officer will: 

• Work with multiple partners at different levels of intervention needs 

• Identify and connect with potential new partners 

• Identify additional needs and opportunities and develop intervention materials to support 

In the first year, the MHPSS Officer will: 

• Have met or exceeded the pre-identified targets for the project 

• Work with partners to develop individual plans for continuation of the work 

• Work with HQ MHPSS Lead and HQ Recovery Lead to identify any outstanding work or additional needs 

Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Actively model and contribute to Americares values, work culture and mission. 

• Engage in and contribute to team spaces with openness, global competencies, and a growth mindset 

MHPSS Direct Service Provision: 

• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to frontline healthcare workers, responders, and community members across North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene. 

• Facilitate individual and group debriefing sessions for healthcare workers, first responders, and volunteers to address burnout, emotional exhaustion, and vicarious trauma, ensuring emotional recovery support. 

• Lead emotional decompression activities aimed at supporting the mental health of healthcare workers, first responders, and volunteers engaged in disaster response. 

• Deliver crisis interventions for individuals experiencing acute emotional distress due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. 

• Support capacity building by conducting psychoeducation sessions for both staff and community members, with a focus on stress management, coping strategies, and resilience building to partner organizations across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. 

• Lead Training of Trainers (TOT) programs to ensure the sustainability of MHPSS services beyond the initial response phase and to build local capacity for long-term mental health support. 

• Develop and/or adapt training materials, curricula, psychoeducational resources, and other materials based on the identified needs of partners, when such topics are not already covered in existing Americares MHPSS content. 

• If applicable, provide bilingual psychoeducation and support programs for Latino and Spanish-speaking communities to address specific cultural and linguistic needs. 

• Offer remote debrief sessions for clinics or healthcare settings where in-person support is not feasible, ensuring access to mental health resources across all target areas. 

• Travel within NC, SC, and TN. Provide remote support as needed for partners in Georgia and Florida. 

MHPSS Outreach: 

• Strengthen existing MHPSS services in designated regions by collaborating with local organizations, healthcare workers, responders, and community leaders to address mental health needs and provide ongoing support. 

• Provide support in community settings, such as clinics, community centers, schools, and other relevant locations to best serve those impacted by the disaster. 

• Coordinate referrals and linkages to external mental health and psychosocial services, ensuring comprehensive care for those in need.  

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned 

Degrees and/or experience required for the role: 

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related and licensure (LCMHC, LMFT, LCSW, Licensed Psychologist) 

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in MHPSS programming, with significant experience in disaster or crisis settings 

These competencies are required for the role: 

• Proven experience in conducting training and providing psychological and psychosocial assistance in MHPSS contexts 

• Experience coordinating MHPSS activities, including cross-functional collaboration between field and HQ 

• Ability to work and travel in remote areas in relevant regions 

• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team in fluid and high stress environments 

• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care and intervention techniques 

• High level of cultural competency, particularly in working with diverse and underserved populations 

US work authorization and a valid license is required for this role. 

These competencies would be great to have, but are not required: 

• Fluency in Spanish 

Additionally, our core competencies as an organization are:  

• Ownership and results  

• Communication  

• Problem solving  

• Equity and inclusion  

• Teamwork and conflict resolution  

• Leadership  

• Prioritization  

• Management  

• Strategy and planning  

• Decision making 

We know not all applicants will demonstrate all the competencies we’re looking for, and that women and underrepresented groups tend to not apply unless they meet all the requirements. We encourage you to apply even if you do not check all the boxes above, and we look forward to reviewing your application holistically.  

What you can expect, if you move forward in the recruitment process: 

1. Interview with People and Talent (1 hour)  

1. Competency exercise  

1. Video interview with team (approximately 2 hours)  

1. Reference check  

1. Offer!  

1. Background check and onboarding