Mental Health Specialist - Children's Services

DATE: July 23, 2025
TO: ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES
(This is a competitive class position.)
FROM: Michael Iapoce, Commissioner of Social Services
1061 Development Court, Kingston, NY 12401
JOB VACANCY: Mental Health Specialist-Children’s Services / Provisional / Full-Time/ Benefited
LOCATION: Business Resrce Cntr
SALARY: $38.56 / hour (Grade 17)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An employee in this class provides a full range of psychotherapy, counseling, case management and social work services for children and their families. This is the entry level position as a primary therapist in the Ulster County Mental Health Department or Ulster County Department of Social Services. Clinical supervision is received from higher ranked clinicians at regularly scheduled sessions and on request, with considerable leeway allowed for the use of independent judgment and initiative in individual cases. Clinical supervision may be exercised over the work of students serving clinical internships within the agency. Administrative supervision is not a responsibility of an employee in this class. Does related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the causes, effects and symptoms of mental

illness and of counseling and psychotherapeutic techniques including expressive therapies for children and their families; thorough knowledge of area behavioral health, medical, educational, vocational, legal and social service providers and other available community resources and ability to effectively utilize these resources, in conjunction with direct clinical services, in an overall psychosocial approach to treating the client; working knowledge of child development; ability to establish and maintain effective liaison with a variety of other service providers; ability to establish and maintain rapport with behavioral health clients and their families; ability to maintain clinical documentation as required by agency policy and the New York State Office of Mental Health; ability to maintain confidentiality as required by agency policy, HIPAA and the New York State Office of Mental Health; ability to provide clinical supervision to students; willingness to participate in and benefit from in-service training; willingness to keep abreast of new developments related to behavioral health, and child and family treatment; willingness to maintain flexible working hours, including evenings as needed to meet the needs of clients and families; sound professional judgment; tact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:

A. (1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology. The doctoral degree must have been granted on the basis of completion of a program of psychology registered with the New York State Department of Education or the substantial equivalent thereof, in accordance with the New York State Commissioner of Education’s regulations; AND

(2) Current licensure as a Psychologist issued by the New York State Department of Education; OR

B. (1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Social Work including one (1) year of clinical practicum/internship; AND

(2) Current licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the New York State Department of Education; OR

(3) Current licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)* issued by the New York State Department of Education with at least eighteen (18) months of post-degree clinical professional experience with children and/or families; OR

C. (1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling including one (1) year of clinical practicum/internship; AND

(2) Current licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) issued by the New York State Department of Education.

*Note: Candidates that possess an LMSW may only provide “clinical social work” services (diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment planning) under the supervision of a senior level Clinician.

Special Requirement: At time of appointment, and throughout employment in this title, candidates must possess a valid New York State driver's license.

Special Requirement: Candidates must complete continuing education training hours as required by the New York State Department of Education to maintain professional licensure with no lapses in licensure during terms of employment.

Special Requirement for appointment to Ulster County positions: Upon a conditional employment offer and in accordance with Ulster County Legislative Local Law Number 14 of 2007 or by other State and Federal Statutes, prospective candidates for employment to all Ulster County positions must obtain clearance for appointment from the Department of Criminal Justice System or other mandated Federal and State regulatory authorities. Such prospective candidates will be required to be fingerprinted accordingly.

ULSTER COUNTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND ALL CIVIL SERVICE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38.56 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $39