Mental Health Worker Jobs in New Mexico

INTRODUCTION

At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.

This posting will be used for recruitment in the following areas of CYFD's Protective Services Division.

• CPS Investigations
• CPS Permanency Coordinators
• Licensing and Support Workers

Protective Services has positions available with non-traditional hours, days and weekends. Please let the interview panel know if you are interested in non-traditional days and/or hours.

THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANTS LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

PURPOSE:

Child Protective Services Case Workers make decisions regarding the safety of a child or vulnerable adult, whether to forward referrals to local field offices for investigation or refer a family who has been in an abuse/neglect situation to supportive services. The Case Worker initiates CPS investigations and conducts case management of Child Protective Services investigations cases (family services and legal) consistent with policy and procedures so as to permit the attainment of federal standards and performance-based budget measures - assigned investigations per month or a combination of investigations and permanency cases which are of equal weight. The Case Worker assesses the safety of children alleged to be maltreated and ensures that the appropriate safety decision is made, and that services are provided to parents and children to mitigate identified safety threats. On a rotating basis, provides after-hours response to CPS emergencies. CPS Case Workers coordinate assessments and permanency plans for children in the custody of the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to promote child safety, permanency, and well-being. The Case Worker completes licensing requirements on a timely basis and in accordance with CYFD guidelines to have an effective community relationship with clients and vendors. Make decisions regarding granting licensure to foster families, approving adoptive families, matching available children with approved families, and placing children accordingly.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is a lead worker position.

Investigations: Responsibilities are as follows but not limited to:

• Initiate CPS investigations in accordance to assigned priority, assessing the safety of and risk to children of the family who are the subject of a CPS referral; on a rotating basis, provide after-hours response to CPS emergencies.
• Conduct investigations by completing the safety assessment tool, conducting interviews of involved parties, notifying family of investigation decision, disposition and rights to an administrative review.
• Provide quality practice in the completion of CPS investigations and continuous protective services in accordance with the Protective Services Division policies and procedures.

Permanency: Responsibilities are as follows but not limited to:

• Provide permanency planning services for children served by the agency to promote the safety and permanency of children by conducting ongoing assessments to determine child safety, permanency, and well-being.
• On a rotating basis, provide after-hours response to emergencies.
• For assigned cases, conduct ongoing case activities to collect information necessary to create appropriate plans to provide safety, timely permanency and enhanced well-being for children.
• Provide case management services for children served by the agency.
• Provide quality services to children served by the agency and assume limited administrative responsibility for unit and other duties as assigned to achieve agency mission by working with management to identify positive practice issues, areas needing improvement, and participating in local reviews.

Licensing and Support: Responsibilities are as follows but not limited to:

• The Licensing and Support worker assesses and licenses foster homes in a manner that is consistent with Protective Services Division policies and procedures.
• They conduct ongoing case activities for maintenance and retention of licensed families that promotes family focused and child centered practice.
• They provide pre and post placement services to pre-adoptive families in accordance with Protective Services Division practice model.

All case workers will complete FACTS documentation on providers as per policy and procedure.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in social work, education, counseling, psychology, sociology, criminal justice or family studies from an accredited college/university and two (2) years of any combination of experience including working with communities on health or social service related matters, social work/case management experience, behavioral health, and/or health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
• Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
• Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office setting: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel may be required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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Agency Contact Information: Regina Walsh, Regina.Walsh@cyfd.nm.gov, Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

BARGAINING UNIT POSITION

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.