09/04/2025
Job Opportunity:
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill an Advocacy Specialist 2, SG-18, position in the Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services (OAPSS) located at the Albany Central Office. The posting can be found here, and will expire on 9/18/2025. Note: For questions about the job posting, please contact the agency that posted this position by using the contact information provided on the "Contact" tab for the position.
Vacancy ID: 196773 StateJobsNY - State Employees: Review Vacancy
Job Description:
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is recruiting to fill an Advocacy Specialist 2, SG-18 position in the Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services (OAPSS) located at the Albany Central Office. OAPSS works to ensure the inclusion of individuals across the lifespan and families receiving OMH services, peers, advocates, and the larger community into OMH policy making and program planning, development, and evaluation. Advocacy Specialists perform a range of professional functions that seek to identify and eliminate disparities in service systems by promoting awareness of recovery, resilience, self-help, and empowerment, and effectively address treatment and service needs in a manner consistent with cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and spiritual norms, beliefs, and values.
Under the supervision of the OAPSS Associate Implementation Director, the individual in this position will serve as a Program Assistant and contribute to the implementation and management efforts of Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams (INSET) and Bureau of Community Feedback (BCF) statewide. The Program Assistant will promote the inclusion of lived experience perspectives into program design, deliver technical assistance, oversight, and training, and perform administrative functions to ensure successful INSET program management and implementation of community feedback initiatives.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Support members of the INSET Program Team and Bureau of Community Feedback (BCF) in tasks relating to implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting
Contribute to INSET program improvement, including by incorporating participant, program, and community feedback into program design and management efforts
Provide technical assistance and education to INSET teams to ensure fidelity to the INSET model
Provide guidance to agencies on developing trauma-informed peer/recovery-oriented services and person-centered language
Offer resources on peer discipline training programs and provide INSET teams with guidance on implementing peer services
Communicate reporting requirements and deadlines to INSET teams
Coordinate with OMH departments and community partners to schedule 1) regular INSET check-ins and learning collaboratives and 2) meetings to plan and coordinate community feedback initiatives
Develop and distribute agendas for internal and external meetings
Provide administrative support, including but not limited to scheduling, travel, and reimbursements for the Implementation Bureau
Establish and maintain systems for recording, tracking, and updating project materials
Support in conducting community outreach activities and delivering and facilitating training and technical assistance to individuals, families, and other partners; modify material and curriculum as necessary
Support in the development and implementation of feedback efforts
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in a human services field AND two years experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health OR
A Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in a human services field AND one year of experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health OR
Six years of experience as a professional advocate or service provider in the field of rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, or mental health
Preferred Qualifications:
Active New York Peer Specialist Certification (NYCPS or (NYCPS-P) or active Credentials in Youth Peer Advocacy (YPA or YPA-P) or Family Peer Advocacy (FPA or FPA-P)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
1 year experience with providing training and technical assistance
Candidates with lived mental health experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
Additional Comments:
The Mission of the New York State Office of Mental Health is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. OMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, OMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring OMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. OMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Specific scheduled hours and telecommuting availability for this position will be discussed during the interview process. Please note, employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to operational needs and Agency Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
