BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS - 60934076

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT OPS -

Date: Jul 20, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website.

Requisition No:

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT – OPS

Job Title: Behavioral Health Consultant – OPS

This position is a regional position and can be housed in (West Palm Beach Office).

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking, and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION. CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE WEST PALM BEACH OFFICE.

The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) provides clinical expertise within the child welfare system, supporting the identification, engagement, and service resources of parents/caregivers with behavioral health needs—particularly those involving substance use disorders, with a concentrated focus on opioid misuse. The BHC works directly with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs) and dependency case managers to enhance recognition of behavioral health concerns, improve family engagement, and ensure timely access to appropriate treatment and support services.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Consult and collaborate with CPI and dependency case managers to help frontline staff identify behavioral health disorders, particularly substance use disorders, enhance family engagement, and improve access to appropriate treatment, recovery support, and community resources.
• Build relationships with investigative staff within co-located offices, providing regular education on behavioral health indicators, the effects of behavioral health conditions on parenting behavior, and engagement strategies.
• Educate and train investigative staff and case managers on the use and benefits of Medication‑Assisted Treatment (MAT).
• Provide both in‑field and office‑based consultation during the pre‑ and post‑commencement phases of child protection investigations, participate in joint visits, model effective family engagement techniques, and offer guidance on best practices for working with families affected by behavioral health issues.
• Assist CPIs in understanding how a parent’s behavioral health condition may impact their ability to safely and effectively care for their child, and identify and recommend appropriate treatment and referral resources within the community.
• Partner with behavioral health providers and the Managing Entity (ME) to maintain current knowledge of referral processes and treatment options, helping CPIs connect families to the most appropriate levels of care.
• Track and document all cases where the BHC provides support to child welfare staff, including staffing, joint visits, consultations, brief assessments, and any additional tracking as directed by the department.
• Participate in legal proceedings, multidisciplinary meetings, and family navigation staffing to support case progression and improve outcomes for children and families.
• Offer subject‑matter expertise in the identification and care of substance‑exposed newborns, including providing consultation on treatment options, supporting care coordination for mothers and infants, and ensuring access to early intervention and family stabilization services.
• Work extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and potentially operate from outside assigned duty location.
• Travel throughout the state, possibly including overnight stays, and respond to disaster recovery efforts and Critical Incident Rapid Response Team (CIRRT) case investigations when required.

Emergency Response

• Assume irregular hours, extended periods, or work at locations other than official headquarters during emergency events.
• Deploy to communities affected by natural disasters within 24‑48 hours to represent and implement post‑disaster services.
• Assess impact, needs, and develop response strategy and goals for the impacted community, implementing disaster response plans.
• Coordinate psychological and mental health resources and services for individuals, first responders, and communities impacted by disasters.
• Provide critical information to the Regional Manager and Director of Regional Operations and Initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• Strong working knowledge of the child welfare system, with demonstrated expertise in motivational interviewing and trauma‑informed care approaches preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in the treatment of substance use disorders.
• Comprehensive understanding of how substance use and mental health conditions affect parenting capacity and can compromise child safety.
• Proficiency in the identification and care of substance‑exposed newborns is essential.
• Ability to respond effectively to emergency events, demonstrating sound clinical judgment under pressure.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, thorough, and professional reports and presentations.
• Ability to evaluate and identify barriers to treatment access and navigate complex behavioral health systems to support families effectively.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Florida license in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, family and marriage therapy, or registered intern, or master's level Certified Addiction Professional (e.g., LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, MCAP, Licensed Psychologist).
• Minimum of three years of experience treating substance use disorders.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare and behavioral health systems and knowledge related to the impact of behavioral health conditions on parenting capacity.
• Knowledge/understanding of the impact of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on parenting ability and child safety.
• Valid Driver License.

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

• Knowledge of the child welfare system and motivational interviewing.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• State Group Insurance coverage options (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance).
• Savings & Spending Accounts.
• 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan administered through VALIC.

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT – Only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION – All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will be required to register with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of registration will be conducted prior to hire.

BACKGROUND SCREENING – Any applicant must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check and, if applicable, additional screenings. No applicant may begin employment until screening results are reviewed and approved.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the hiring authority or People First Service Center (1‑866‑663‑4735) in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug‑Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section , F.S., Drug‑Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE – Candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Supporting documentation is required for candidates claiming preference.

Location:
West Palm Beach, FL, 33401

Nearest Major Market: Palm Beach
Nearest Secondary Market: Miami

Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F.S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.