Mental Health Specialist - Part-time Contractor

Mental Health Specialist - Part-time Contractor

REPORTS TO: Deputy Director and Grant Manager

Oversight of: Peer Facilitators

The Modern Military Association of America (Modern Military) is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing fairness and equality for the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community. Through education, advocacy, and support, we are making a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ service members, military spouses, veterans, family members, survivors, and caregivers.

Position Summary

The Mental Health Specialist serves as a vital link between eligible individuals seeking access to support services, case management, and resources. The Mental Health Specialist develops case management plans, provides support services oversight, and advocates for participants to promote mental wellness and enhance quality of life. The position works collaboratively with participants, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and LGBTQ+ competent care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assessments and Case Management
   • Utilize baseline screening findings to evaluate participants' mental health needs, strengths, and concerns.
   • Utilize diagnostic tools and criteria to establish program eligibility and risk.
   • Collaborate with the mental health coordinator to ensure participants have individualized care plans tailored to their unique needs.
2. Peer-Led Support Services
   • Oversee and facilitate peer-led, support meetings to address a variety of issue areas impacting LGBTQ+ veterans including groups on living with HIV, intimate partner violence, military sexual trauma, suicide postvention support, and general LGBTQ+ support.
   • Utilize therapeutic modalities and mindfulness-based approaches to support case management, crisis intervention, and skill-building techniques to help participants improve emotional regulation and develop coping strategies.
3. Planning and Coordination
   • Oversee the peer-support program aspects of the suicide prevention program, including peer facilitator training, program evaluation, and coordination of suicide risk assessments and interventions.
   • Oversee and support comprehensive case management plans in collaboration with participants and VA providers, incorporating their preferences, strengths, and cultural background.
   • Coordinate care with VA healthcare professionals to ensure integrated, holistic, and LGBTQ+ competent treatment.
   • Monitor participant progress and adjust case management goals and interventions as needed to promote positive outcomes.
4. Crisis Intervention and Support
   • Provide immediate assistance and support to participants experiencing emergent or acute mental health crises, including suicide risk assessment and intervention.
   • Collaborate with emergency services, crisis hotlines, and mental health professionals to ensure timely and appropriate interventions.
   • Develop safety plans and follow-up procedures to support participants in managing crisis situations and preventing future episodes.
   • Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to raise awareness about suicide prevention and promote access to mental health services.
5. Project Oversight
   • Collaborate with team members to develop and implement program policies, procedures, and best practices.
   • Attend regular staff meetings, trainings, and performance evaluations to promote professional development and team cohesion.
6. Documentation and Reporting
   • Maintain accurate and confidential participant records, document findings, care plans, progress notes, and interventions.
   • Generate reports and summaries to track participant progress, outcomes, and service utilization.
   • Ensure compliance with ethical standards, legal and regulatory requirements, and professional guidelines governing clinical practice, confidentiality, informed consent, and data security.

Ideal Qualifications

Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented, organized, self-starters, team players, and able to produce high-quality work in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines. Military experience is not required, but experience working with LGBTQ+ populations is required. Experience with Suicide prevention is required. Working with military and veteran populations is preferred.

Candidates should have:

• A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field) from an accredited program.
• Licensure as a LMSW, LCSW, or LPC is preferred but not required.
• Experience providing peer-facilitated mental health services such as assessment, diagnosis, and case management.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles, LGBTQ+ care, and community resources.
• Experience working with diverse populations and addressing the needs of individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and manage time efficiently.
• Compassion, empathy, and a nonjudgmental attitude toward individuals seeking mental health support.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and establish trust with participants.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve program goals.

Proficiency in the following software is required: Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Drive, Outlook, and Zoom. A basic understanding of client management CRMs is required.

Compensation

This is a part-time position, 20-hours a week, with a maximum total pay rate of $45,000 with a healthcare stipend and home office stipend.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is Modern Military's policy to select the best-qualified person for each paid or volunteer position. Modern Military utilizes a DEIJ approach to ensure that there are a wide variety of diverse applicants from protected groups and other nondominant identity traits. This applies to hiring, developing, and promoting individuals within the organization.

In all employment-related matters, Modern Military prohibits discrimination based on an individual's gender, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, complaint of discrimination or harassment, participation in any investigation or other proceeding relating to a complaint of discrimination or harassment, or any other legally protected status.

Modern Military is committed to complying fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state, and local disability laws to ensure equal opportunity in employment, service delivery, programs, and activities for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a non-discriminatory basis. Pre-employment inquiries are made only regarding an applicant's ability to perform the essential duties of the position.

To Apply

Interested candidates should send a resume and a one-page cover letter (why you want to work with Modern Military and how your past experiences have provided you the skills to succeed in this role). Please put Mental Health Specialist in the subject line and email to getconnected@modernmilitary.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Contracts are for February, 2025 -September 30, 2025. Employment is not guaranteed beyond the expiration of the grant. This role (unless otherwise specified) may be remote with a preference for individuals located in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region as the potential grant funding supports individuals located within VISN 5.