"Mental Health Specialist IV (Multiple Vacancies)"

Position Summary:

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Mental Health Specialist IV in the Child & Adolescent Services – Children's Transitional Residence of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

The Mental Health Specialist IV provides daily care and supervision to children residing at Children's Transitional Residence.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Provides direct supervision to children (ages 5-11 years) residing in the Children's Transitional Residence.
• Supervises daily activities, such as personal care routines, meals and transportation to and from school or medical appointments.
• Implements recreational and therapeutic activities and trips appropriate to the children's age, abilities, and therapeutic needs.
• Provides behavioral reinforcement, positive role-modeling and feedback to children to encourage more adaptive and pro-social behaviors.
• Monitors children for a 24-hour day program, including overnight visual checks. e. Intervenes effectively to maintain safety and security for children in crisis by using both verbal and physical crisis intervention strategies.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Successful completion of a one (1) year training program as a Mental Health Specialist Trainee or one (1) year of similar full-time experience in the mental health field.
• An Associate's Degree, preferably in a related field, including 12 credits in human services such as psychology or its equivalent, may be substituted for the minimum requirements of this position.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Employee must be physically active and be on feet most of the day.
• Duties may involve bending and lifting objects up to 25 lbs., running and playing active games with children and adolescents (ages 5 – 11 years) and driving minivans or other vehicles.
• Following training, employee must be physically capable of safely providing personal restraints to agitated children (ages 5 – 11 years).

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Crowded and moderately noisy conditions with children and staff moving about.