Behavioral Health Consultant Ops - 60933470

Requisition No: 849952 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS - 60933470

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 60933470 

Salary:  $70k / Hourly Rate: $ 33.65 (OPS) 

Posting Closing Date: 09/06/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

**ANTICIPATED VACANCY**

 

 

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF or Department) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking, and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

 

 

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

 

 

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

 

 

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION.  CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE OFFICE.

 

 

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) will provide clinical expertise and assist with the identification of parents with behavioral health conditions in the child welfare system, with a concentrated focus on opioid use and other substance misuse disorders.  The BHCs will consult and collaborate with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs) and dependency case managers to build expertise with front line staff in the identification of behavioral health disorder(s), with specific focus on those with possible substance misuse disorders, improve engagement with families, and improve access to treatment, recovery supports, and resources.

 

 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

 

• Actively establish relationships with CPIs in co-located office space; Educate CPIs and dependency case managers on the identification of behavioral health disorders with an emphasis on opioid use. Support the investigative staff and dependency case managers in understanding the effects of the behavioral health issue on parent/caregiver behavior. Assist investigative staff and dependency case managers in understanding the signs and symptoms of opioid diorders and the best practices to engage and treat.

 

• Educate CPIs and dependency case managers on the use of MAT; Assist in the field and provide office consultation during pre- or post-commencement when there is an open investigation with a suspected or identified behavioral health need. Actively demonstrate engagement techniques with the family when in the field with investigative staff.  

 

• Partner with the investigative staff to provide consultations to assist in identifying danger threats, adult functioning, parental protective capacities (diminished or present), and safety management services

 

• Maintain a working knowledge of community mental health and substance use providers.

 

• Work collaboratively with community service providers and the ME to develop contacts, facilitate referrals, and assist investigative staff with engaging clients in recommended services and improving timely access to treatment.

 

• Track the referrals and entry into treatment for parents with behavioral health disorders, especially with a substance misuse disorder.

 

• Support investigators in mitigating behavioral issues and crises.

 

• Participate in legal, multi-disciplinary, and any other meetings that will assist the investigative staff and families.

 

• Performs other duties as required to meet program and departmental goals and objectives

 

• Travel is requried throughout the region; Maintain a working knowledge of community mental health and substance use providers and best practices for engagement and treatment, with concentrated focus on opioid use disorders.

 

 

 

Emergency Response

 

In response to emergency events, the incumbent may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the position description.  Deploy to communities affected by natural disasters within 24-48 hours of impact to represent the organization to promote and implement post-disaster services.

 

• Assess the impact, needs and assist with the development of a response strategy and goals for the impacted community and implement disaster response plans.

 

• Coordinate psychological and mental health resources and services for individuals, first responders, and communities impacted by disasters.

 

• Provide critical information to the Regional Director and Director of Regional Operations and Initiatives.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

 

• Ability to produce quality written products within short deadlines.

 

• Ability to organize and prepare written data into logical and correct format.

 

• Ability to maintain files.

 

• Ability to prepare correspondence.

 

• Ability to work independently.

 

• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

 

• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

 

• Ability to communicate effectively.

 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

 

• Knowledge of community resources.

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Florida license in the areas of psychology, social work, mental health counseling, family and marriage therapy or registered intern, or master’s level Certified Addiction Professional. Acceptable: LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, MCAP, Licensed Psychologist
• A minimum of three years of experience treating substance use disorders.

 

• Working knowledge of the child welfare and behavioral health systems and knowledge related to the impact of behavioral health conditions on parenting capacity.

 

• Knowledge/understanding of the impact of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on parenting ability and child safety.

• Valid Driver License

 

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

 

• Knowledge of the child welfare system and motivational interviewing is preferred.

 

 

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies. 

 

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287. 

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.