AOT Support Staff, Bureau of Mental Health

The Bureau of Mental Health’s (BMH) mission is to improve mental health and wellness for people in New York City, and to eliminate racial and other long-standing societal disparities by providing services, resources, and opportunities to New Yorkers that are grounded in accurate, data-driven information that fosters community participation, thus reducing the stigma around mental health.

The Office of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is responsible for the management and oversight of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program in New York City. The New York State Legislature passed Kendra’s law as an amendment to the Mental Hygiene Law to allow for outpatient civil commitment of individuals with histories of serious mental illness, difficulty engaging in rehabilitation, and who present high risk to themselves or the community. The program enables these individuals to live safely in the community, avoid repeated inpatient hospitalizations, and ensure they have access to comprehensive outpatient services.

Position Summary:

The AOT Support Staff responsibilities will include assisting with day-to-day administration functions for all AOT teams/offices as needed. These functions are needed to fulfill the mandate of Kendra’s Law.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Working closely with mental health providers and staff from Assisted Outpatient Treatment, the individual will:

- Communicate with the community referral source for clarification when additional information is needed.
- Answering phone calls from clients, hospitals, service providers and the community/public
- Interface with community and service providers inquiring about AOT and the referral process
- Writing three-day reports for AOT orders and sending them to OMH, community service providers, and in- house staff.
- Ensuring that community service providers and in-house staff receive voluntary agreements as required.
- Data entry for incoming referrals and keeping database current.
- Preparing case files for clients’ and medical directors’ court hearings.
- Pulling casef iles in preparation for clients' psychological evaluations.
- Provide technical assistance and address inquiries from community service providers experiencing issues with AOT Portal system.

Preferred Skills:

- Ability to use Microsoft Windows software (Word, Excel, Visio, Access, and PowerPoint); knowledge of community mental health resources; cursory knowledge of mental health terminology and diagnosis; good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to interface with service providers from all sectors of the service system; and strong organizational skills.

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!

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.

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - 56057