Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) Specialist

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

For Full Time Employees Benefits/Perks:

• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time) 
• Candidates hired in this position will work in person but will have the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule when program need allows.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Practice Specialist, DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Reports to: Director of Mental Health Services and Trauma-Informed Practice, DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Location: 305 7^TH Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Schedule/Hours: Full-time/ 35 Hours/Week; Exempt

Salary: $62,490-$69,434/Year

Job Summary and Key Duties:       

Good Shepherd Services is seeking a dynamic, compassionate, results driven, team player for the role of Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Practice Specialist (MH/TIP Specialist). The MH/TIP Specialist leads the implementation of the Sanctuary Model and other mental health and trauma-informed strength-based practices across the agency. The MH/TIP Specialist works in collaboration with program team members and administrators to ensure best practices in mental health service delivery, particularly from a trauma-responsive lens. The MH/TIP Specialist will be experienced in working with youth and young adult populations, knowledgeable about trauma-informed mental health practices, and have experience training and/or working with groups. They will also have the ability to translate trauma-informed knowledge to make it accessible to diverse staff populations. The ideal candidate will work passionately to advance GSS ideals through a resiliency-based and growth-mindset lens within the context of GSS’ mission, values, and anti-racism and equity framework.

Core Competencies:

• Critical core competencies for successful performance in this role are:
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and mental health practices and ability to translate theory into practice for a variety of program settings and audiences.
• Facilitation and group work skills; ability to teach, influence and coach others.  
• Strong collaboration skills with a high degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, flexibility, and self-management skills.

• Sensitivity, experience and/or knowledge of trauma-informed and mental health practices serving populations impacted by marginalization and/or identity-based trauma and inequities.

• Highly developed communications and presentation skills, including written, verbal, and interpersonal.  
• Thriving in an atmosphere of group decision-making and shared governance, while being able to execute reliably and independently.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and unquestionable personal code of ethics; treating all persons with respect and dignity, and ability to build trust.
• Ability to value and synthesize diverse perspectives, including integrating trauma-informed practice and equity lenses and approaches.
• Support agency operations through behind-the-scenes coordination and preparation; interaction with program participants is secondary.
• Creative, resourceful, and enthusiastic problem solver.

Responsibilities:   

• Collaborate with other MH/TIP staff to assess program needs through a trauma-informed lens to inform Sanctuary Model implementation.
• Collaborate with other MH/TIP staff to develop plans for how trauma-informed and mental health practices will be implemented throughout various programs.
• Collaborate with program team members across various disciplines, e.g., attending interdisciplinary, staff and other required meetings.
• Coach and guide staff around trauma-informed and mental health best practices.
• Teach Sanctuary model and trauma-informed/mental health skills to program participants, e.g., SELF psycho-educational groups, safety plans, community meetings, etc.
• Facilitate and host groups in response to crises and significant events.
• Provide support and guidance to staff around critical incidents and crisis using a trauma-informed and restorative approach.
• Help monitor the adherence and integration of the Sanctuary Model of practice across the agency.
• Represent the agency at internal and external meetings and conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree required, Master’s degree in Social Work or related field preferred (BA/BS degree with additional years of experience may substitute for advanced degree.)
• At least 2 years’ experience working in mental heath/1 year’s experience in trauma-informed practice
• Experience developing training materials including handouts, power point slides, guides, and resource materials and manuals preferred.
• Group facilitation and training experience preferred.
• Experience working with the adolescent/young adult population with an understanding of social-service programming. Experience within child welfare, residential, or similar programs preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in training, coaching, and/or implementation of the Sanctuary Model and/or other mental health/trauma-informed approaches and practices preferred.
• Strong and proficient computer literacy.
• Flexibility to work some evening hours required and ability to deliver support in-person and remotely (via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.)

• All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.

Salary : $62,490 - $69,434