Youth Access Coordinator

Job Title: Youth Access Coordinator

Grade: 23

Salary: $80,026 - $91,122

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH), in collaboration with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH), is currently seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Youth Access Coordinator in Albany, New York.

The NYS Equitable Transition Model (ETM) Demonstration Grant Project aims to increase access to critical services for multiply marginalized, transition-aged youth and young adults with disabilities (Y&YAD) leading to post-secondary education credentials, employment, and financial self-sufficiency.

A successful candidate will develop relationships with Y&YAD and their family, which will require the ability to demonstrate respect for various backgrounds and cultures. Bi-lingual candidates are encouraged to apply. The Youth Access Coordinator (YAC), in coordination with their local Outreach and Engagement Specialist (OES), will support participants to work towards employment and education goals.

Candidates must exhibit strong leadership, problem solving, self-direction, time management and prioritization skills, and have an ability to effectively organize competing demands. This candidate should be prepared to work with various community partners, travel throughout their region, meet with participants, families, and various natural supports, and be comfortable representing NYS in a professional capacity. The candidate must possess the ability to travel throughout their respective region daily. The primary schedule is normal weekday hours but will require periodic evening and weekend flexibility to accommodate participant and family availability. Occasional overnights will also be required for statewide ETM events.

A successful candidate should be proficient in Microsoft Office tools.

Essential to this work is a strong belief that individuals with disabilities, including those with the most significant barriers, can obtain competitive integrated employment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• YAC main office location is as listed but will be split between 3 locations and in the community based on program needs;
• Guide Y&YAD in career exploration and career development activities in partnership with existing systems (e.g., Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Workforce);
• Collaborate with DRCs on the delivery of support to families and Y&YAD;
• Convene primary stakeholders in a Y&YAD's circle of support to ensure effective planning on the IFAP;
• Provide financial empowerment training and benefits counseling to ETM-enrolled Y&YAD;
• Regularly meet with program management and quality improvement team to discuss implementation challenges and successes, to analyze and improve implementation of the ETM;
• Attend all Network Improvement Community events;
• Utilize Microsoft Office tools and various program-specific IT applications;
• Travel daily within the local region to meet with participants, families, and various community partners;
• Work occasional evening and weekend hours to accommodate participant and family schedules, and periodically travel overnight within NYS.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation, social work, public policy/administration, special education, and/or similar field preferred. Other degrees will be considered given relevant experience;
• 5 years of field experience supporting individuals with disabilities in the context of one of NY's systems of care, including but not limited to education, supported employment, disability supports, workforce, foster care, children and family services, and/or similar systems;
• Candidates must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle that can be used during work hours;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience serving and/or overseeing programs that support individuals with disabilities and/or other marginalized populations in their communities to achieve employment and/or education goals.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal support systems, including education, disability services, public benefits, foster care, children and family services, vocational rehabilitation, psychiatric rehabilitation, or related topics is preferred.

Work Location: 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY 12180

To Apply: Submit an application through our website at https://rfmh.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Employer/Minority/Women/Disabled/Veteran Employer. VEVRAA 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.

Salary : $80,026 - $91,122