Mental Health Specialist – Bayview Y

Careers by Empowering Futures, Building Communities 

Imagine going to work each day knowing that your efforts positively impact individuals and communities. As a global movement and the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco offers more than just a job—we offer a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in your community. At the Y, you can uncover your passion and build a lifelong career addressing some of the nation’s most pressing social issues. 

Our Organizational Culture  

At the YMCA of Greater San Francisco, we are committed to demonstrating values that aim to building strong communities where you can Be, Belong and Become. With Truth & Courage, we strive to understand and act on individual and societal truths. We ensure a safe and inclusive environment with Authenticity & Accessibility, allowing everyone to participate according to their needs. Our approach is Dependable & Creative, as we respond to community needs through strong partnerships. Above all, we embody Dignity & Empathy, treating everyone with respect and compassion, and recognizing the inherent dignity in all individuals. 

Position Summary  

Under the guidance of the Senior Director of Family Support Services, the Mental Health Specialist provides direct therapeutic services, including one-on-one counseling and group facilitation, using a trauma-informed approach. This role focuses on delivering high-quality mental health support to participants while working closely with community-based organizations to ensure families in the Bayview Hunters Point community have access to essential mental health services and resources. 

The Mental Health Specialist is also responsible for supporting the Family Resource Center (FRC) team by offering case conferencing for case managers, case consultations, and professional development opportunities as needed. Additionally, this role ensures that services for FRC program participants are consistent, accessible, and responsive to their needs. 

Job Responsibilities  

Direct Mental Health Services 

• Provide therapy sessions to Family Resource Center (FRC) participants addressing issues such as parenting challenges, family dynamics, trauma, grief, and other client-identified concerns. 
• Coordinate and facilitate weekly group sessions to support parenting, relationships, trauma, and grief, and connect participants to relevant resources. 
• Deliver direct mental health services to the community in alignment with program goals. 
• Connect FRC families to mental health resources and services to support their well-being. 

Community Engagement and Events 

• Coordinate and lead mental health events for FRC participants and the broader community. 
• Engage with community-based organizations (CBOs), agencies, and participants to increase visibility and enrollment in FRC mental health services. 
• Attend and represent the Bayview YMCA at meetings and initiatives such as Black to the Future, Hope SF, MOH, DPH, and HSA as needed. 

Documentation and Reporting 

• Maintain thorough, organized documentation of services, including session notes, to ensure compliance with funder and licensing board requirements. 
• Compile data and prepare reports for city and county agencies in compliance with program requirements and deadlines. 
• Develop necessary documentation to ensure contract compliance and data accuracy. 
• Facilitate case conferencing for case managers to ensure contract compliance. 

Ethical and Legal Compliance 

• Uphold all ethical and legal standards per the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 
• Conduct work consistent with YMCA of San Francisco and Mental Health Agency policies and guidelines. 
• Maintain the highest legal and ethical standards in all professional activities. 
• Meet regularly with the Senior Director of Family Support Services, Executive Director, and legal departments to address any clinical, legal, or ethical concerns. 

Professional Development and Supervision 

• Participate actively in clinical supervision, including the use of audio or video recordings to demonstrate therapy skills if pre-licensed. 
• Engage in regular meetings with clinical supervisors to improve therapeutic practice. 
• Facilitate training and case conferences for team members as needed. 

Qualifications 

• MSW, MFT 
• M-F, some nights and weekends required 
• Must understand legal and ethical standards of practice  
• 3+ years direct experience providing trauma-informed therapy services to individuals, groups, youth and families.  
• Related experience with family support, clinical case management and family reunification. 
• California Board of Behavioral Science registration mandatory OR must be registration eligible 
• Demonstrated ability to deliver relevant and nuanced clinical care 

Preferred Qualifications 

• LMFT, LCSW, LPCC 
• Understanding the impact of domestic violence and the unique issues impacting the Bayview Hunters Point community. 
• Multilingual: Spanish and additional languages. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands 

The Mental Health Specialist position requires the ability to work in a dynamic and community-centered environment, balancing direct client services with administrative and collaborative responsibilities. This role involves regular in-person interactions with program participants, colleagues, and community partners, necessitating strong communication and interpersonal skills. The position may require standing or sitting for extended periods while conducting therapy sessions, facilitating group discussions, or attending meetings.  

Additionally, the role may involve occasional lifting of materials, such as event supplies or program documentation, and traveling within the community to attend outreach events, meetings, or trainings. Given the nature of the work, the Mental Health Specialist must be able to manage emotional resilience while supporting individuals facing trauma, grief, and complex life challenges. Flexibility in scheduling, including occasional evening or weekend events, may be necessary to accommodate the needs of the Family Resource Center and its participants. The role also demands meticulous attention to documentation and compliance, requiring proficiency in maintaining confidential records and meeting reporting deadlines. 

Disclaimers  

• Must successfully complete a background screening, including criminal and employment verification. Some positions may also require a credit check. 
• All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace, which includes reasonable accommodation for otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please contact your manager if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties. 
• This job description may not be all-inclusive, and employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified by management as needed. 
• Job offers are conditional and contingent upon background clearance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and CA Fair Chance Act, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. 

Salary Description  

The Mental Health Specialist position offers a compensation range of $30.00 – $36.00 per hour. This rate is based on salary benchmarking for similar roles and is aligned with grant fund approvals and requirements for the position.