Mental Health Coordinator

ABOUT THE ROLE The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Office of Child and Family Health (OCFH) delivers direct medical care to children entering foster care and ensures comprehensive physical and mental health care. The Mental Health Coordination Unit (MHCU) tracks acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations of children in ACS custody and coordinates case planning. Reporting to the MHCU Supervisor, the Mental Health Coordinator provides real-time recommendations for foster children and adolescents admitted to acute inpatient psychiatric hospitals. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Serve as a liaison for children, families, case planning entities, providers, and hospitals to ensure mental health treatment needs and discharge plans are timely and appropriate. - Participate in case conferences and meetings with foster care agencies, ACS units, and hospital treatment teams to address child and family needs. - Join team, staff, and monthly meetings with foster care agencies and state or hospital partners. - Assist with tracking attendance, note-taking, and covering meetings when leadership is unavailable. - Negotiate and advocate with hospital teams and agencies to help access appropriate treatment settings. - Obtain and review discharge summaries to guide follow-up recommendations and reduce readmission rates. - Attend and organize cross-systems forums and trainings to enhance collaboration. - Use electronic systems to track data, submit reports, maintain case records, and monitor case planning activities. - Provide performance-based feedback regarding contracted providers and obtain necessary information. - Provide weekend and after-hours coverage on a rotational basis. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory, full-time community liaison, organization, or relations experience, at least two years of which must have been in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity; or 2. A four-year high school diploma or equivalent and eight years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described above, including two years in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity; or 3. Education and/or experience equivalent to the above. Undergraduate or graduate education may be substituted for general experience (30 credits for 1 year), but all candidates must possess a high school diploma and two years of full-time experience in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Civil Service Status: This position is only open to candidates who are permanent (not provisional) in the civil service title listed. - Background Check: Section 424-A of the NY Social Services Law requires an inquiry into whether the candidate has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report. - Preferred Skills: Five years of full-time experience in mental health, counseling, or clinical social work, and 2-3 years supervisory experience. MSW with LCSW/LMSW, or Master's in Psychology with license. Knowledge of mental health/hospital systems, trauma impact, adolescent development, dual diagnoses, and the foster care system. Experience in program evaluation and data management. Willingness to travel to acute psychiatric hospitals throughout NYC. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills. Ability to multi-task and work under pressure. Familiarity with virtual platforms, Connections, LTS, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. - 55-a Program: Open to qualified persons with a disability eligible for the 55-a Program. Indicate at the top of resume and cover letter. SELECTION PROCESS - An exam may be required. Only permanent candidates in the civil service title will be considered. - Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. HOW TO APPLY - Go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees. - Search for Job ID 781569. - No phone calls, faxes, or personal inquiries permitted. - If applying through the 55-a Program, indicate this at the top of your resume and cover letter. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Department: ADMIN FOR CHILDREN'S SVCS (Office Of Chld & Fmly Health) - Location: 110 William St., NY (NYC-ALL BOROS) - Hours: Full-Time - Posted Date: 09/04/2026 - Posting Ends: 10/04/2026 - Job ID: 781569 - Title Code: 1002F - Title Classification: Competitive-1 - Experience Level: Experienced (Non-Manager) - Job Level: 00 - Number of Positions: 1 - Residency Requirement: NYC residency generally required within 90 days. City employees with 2 continuous years may reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. - Additional Benefits: Eligible for federal loan forgiveness and state repayment assistance programs (Public Service Loan Forgiveness). - Equal Opportunity: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer.