Job Description

Open to candidates who are permanent

The Office of School Health (OSH) is a joint Program of the New York City Public Schools (NYC PS) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), responsible for promoting the health of over one (1) million school children enrolled in approximately 1,800 public and non-public schools in New York City. Services to students include case management of chronic health problems, preventive health screening, urgent care, medication administration, preventive counseling, health education, referral for care and assurance of ongoing effective treatment.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of School Mental Health Services, the School Mental Health Coordinator plays a key role in strengthening and expanding school-based mental health services across New York City public schools. The Coordinator provides mental health education, technical assistance, training, and strategic guidance to schools, community-based organization (CBO) partners, and mental health providers. Responsibilities include overseeing the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of school mental health programs; developing and refining program policies and procedures in collaboration with Office of School Health leadership; and building strong partnerships that promote high-quality, accessible mental health services for students. The Coordinator serves as a primary liaison among schools, mental health providers, and community agencies to support positive school climates, improve coordination of services, and advance comprehensive mental health systems that foster student well-being and academic success. Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Partnership development & oversight

• Develop strategic partnerships with schools, school districts, community-based organizations, families and other stakeholders
• Oversee, cultivate, and manage partnerships with community-based organizations that deliver mental health programs in schools
• Provide ongoing implementation support to mental health CBOs working within school settings

Technical assistance & program quality

• Monitor delivery of mental health services through CBO partners, navigating licensing approval, understanding billing processes, and evaluating program utilization
• Conduct site visits to assess existing mental health programs, including identification and referral systems, and recommend improvements to enhance service delivery
• Track, monitor, and follow up on all requests for support related to mental health services and providers
• Provide technical assistance to schools and community partners regarding mental health resources and best practices

Training, outreach & capacity building

• Co-design and co-implement training, outreach strategies, and principal engagement efforts to build understanding, buy-in, and value for mental health services in schools.
• Provide presentations, workshops, and trainings to school stakeholders
• Represent the School Mental Health Program at conferences, community meetings, interagency workgroups, and public events

Policy, compliance & systems navigation

• Support schools in navigating HIPAA, FERPA, MOUs, OMH requirements, and Chancellor’s Regulations related to mental health service provision
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement program policies, procedures, and best practices
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource on the NYC child and adolescent mental health system, trends in school-based mental health, and broader wellness issues
• Analyze program data and performance measures to assess outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and support quality improvement efforts

Advocacy & strategic support

• Work closely with school leaders and mental health providers to identify opportunities to strengthen and improve mental health support for students

Preferred Skills

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related field
• Ability to work effectively with school principals, professionals, and other personnel from a wide range of social institutions and organizations
• Mental Health Program implementation experience
• Experience working in a school setting and familiarity with the NYC Public Schools
• Knowledge of Excel, Word, and Power Point
• Presentation skills
• Ability to travel throughout the five boroughs

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.

o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.

o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.

o a tax-deferred savings program and

o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity:

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATOR - 51110

Qualifications

1. A master's degree from an accredited college or university in public health, health education, health promotion, or a closely related field; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in health education, health science, public health, health promotion, community health, health communications, or a closely related field; or
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in education, nursing, epidemiology, wellness and fitness, or nutrition and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in health education; or
4. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in marketing, human services, social work or psychology and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in health education.
5. In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level III, candidates must have three additional years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in “3” and “4” above, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.