Mental Health Specialist - EML

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org .

Job Title *

Mental Health Specialist

Location *

Edwin M Lee Apartments (Mission Bay) – 1150 3 rd Street San Francisco, CA

Schedule (work Hours)

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Reporting Type:

In-person

Employment Type

Non-Exempt

Salary Range:

$35.00 - $40.00 per hour

Summary (description)*

The Mental Health Specialist is responsible for implementing direct services for retention of housing, including the provision of substance abuse and mental health services as needed. The Mental Health Specialist maintains an assigned caseload of veterans; provides individual and group counseling, case management, assessment, advocacy, outreach, and crisis intervention. This position also supervises the onsite Peer Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Property Management to ensure supportive efforts in furthering housing stability for all supportive housing veteran residents
• Assure proper collection and maintenance of data for reporting purposes to agency management and funders
• Ensure legal and contractual compliance for all grants specific to this housing site, including timely and accurate reporting as required by funders.
• Act as a liaison with community partners and the local Mission Bay community in general
• Collaborate and coordinate with the VA and Community Service Providers regarding mental and physical health of residents: develop linkages to services and community resources to assist residents in meeting goals.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical charts and documentation at all times within the agencies database and the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Case Conference facilitation as needed
• Provide individual and group counseling for veteran residents
• Supervise the Peer Specialist and assist in providing group and individual engagement with tenants
• Provide crisis intervention/de-escalation and conflict resolution
• Engage residents to promote personal growth and create “Life Plans” in order to monitor progress toward personal goals
• Provide day-to-day support for all veteran tenants
• Work closely with the onsite Chinatown Community Development Center’s Activities Coordinator and other staff as it relates to community activities planning and community engagement
• Attend all required training to ensure individual and professional growth
• Participate in weekly supervision with Clinical Director for Residential Programs.
Other duties may be assigned

Desired Requirements

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing mental health, substance abuse counseling and/or case management services to homeless, formerly homeless, or disabled individuals, with at least three (1) year in human service agencies.
• Experience conducting individual and group counseling sessions
• Experience in crisis intervention and client assessment including suicidal and homicidal ideation, and relapse prevention.
• Experience supervising and coaching staff members to support their professional growth

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or other related Human Services field. Clinical License preferred.

Qualifications

• A thorough understanding of the problems of veterans with an emphasis on the readjustment problems of veterans, such as: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, chronic homelessness, substance abuse and other mental health issues
• Familiarity with DSM-V
• Understanding of confidentiality requirements
• Familiarity with community resources in social and human services: substance abuse, medical and mental health resources, and resources serving persons experiencing homeles
• Excellent time management
• Ability to outreach and engage clients
• Writing skills: the ability to maintain current, appropriate case documentation and professional correspondence
• Computer skills: the ability to input progress notes and data; basic typing skills and ability to use Microsoft Office Suite
• Good verbal communication skills
• Crisis intervention, de-escalation, and conflict resolution skills
Ability to perform duties in a respectful, professional manner with all parties: residents, staff, and community partners.

Benefits Information (For employees 50% FTE / 20 hours per week or more):

Compensation is based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Swords to Plowshares offers a generous benefits package:

• 100% Company Paid Medical, Vision, Acupuncture, and Dental Coverage. STP covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid Annual Medical Deductible paid via Navia HRA Card )
• 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan immediate enrollment
• 17 vacation days in the first year for full time employees, and progressive afterward & 13 holidays each year.
• Legal Benefit, Employee Discount Program, Pet Insurance, and Commuter Benefit.
• Supportive environment, 1-hour Paid lunch Period, and Annual Education/Training allowance available to all employees.

Please note: Any employee who is on-call, in a temporary position, and/or less than 50% FTE status is not eligible for benefits aside from the company sponsored EAP, paid lunch hour, and supportive environment. Vacation, sick and time off are pro-rated based upon FTE percentage.

Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. We understand that the veteran community encompasses a multitude of identities, and we believe that our staff and board should as well. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at employeesupport@stp-sf.org. We’re here to help.