Behavioral Health Associate – Non-Merit

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Bureau of Behavioral Health, Department of Health and Human Services.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experiences on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the “Work Experience” section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties:
Under general supervision, conducts outreach to Baltimore County residents with a mental health disorder incarcerated in the Baltimore County Detention Center with the goal of increasing engagement in wellness and recovery services, treatment program enrollment and participation upon release from the Detention Center.

Answers requests from inmates with mental health disorders and their families. Assists with referrals and maintains resource lists.

Meets with peers to provide peer mentoring, linkages to resources, and facilitation of contacts with the recovery and wellness community. Assists peers with applications for services.

Serves as a role model for wellness and life in recovery. Instills hope. Promotes recovery.

Distributes literature, brochures and other related materials.

Collects outreach statistics. Examples of Other Duties

May transport peers. May be assigned to community locations in collaboration with Bureau partners. Performs other duties as required.

NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of treatment programs and community resources that support wellness and recovery from mental health and co-occurring disorders. Knowledge of English grammar. Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural influences.

Skill in communicating with peers, their families and professional service providers. Skill in time management and self-care.

Ability to work effectively with individuals in need, and the professional staff of service provider agencies, courts, hospitals, and residential and correctional facilities. Ability to accept multiple pathways to recovery, including medication assisted treatments, and the appropriate use of psycho pharmacological treatments for mental health diagnoses. Ability to work in a correctional environment.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications

Possession of a high school diploma or an appropriate equivalent

plus

at least two years’ experience working with individuals with a mental health diagnosis

plus

Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist is required at the time of application.

(Additional education may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years.)

Licenses and Certificates

Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist is required at the time of application.

Possession of a valid driver’s license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver’s license is required at the time of application.

All licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education

Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant’s major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Proof of Degree Equivalency

Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. ( www.WES.org )

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Behavioral Health Associate

Office of Human Resources

Baltimore County Government

308 Allegheny Ave.

Towson, MD 21204

You can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Preferred Qualification s

Peer Recovery Specialist Certification

Experience working with criminal justice population

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Conditions of Employment:
Persons appointed to this classification are required to work flexible hours that include evenings and weekends.

Persons cannot have current criminal justice involvement. This includes being on parole or probation.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation

Applicants selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination and drug screen and an employment background investigation, including, but not limited to a criminal background, education, and fingerprint check.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

The work of this classification is essentially sedentary, but requires traveling throughout the County and some lifting and carrying in the setup of educational displays and presentations.