VOCAL Posts Three Job Openings

CO-OP Program Director Job Description

CO-OP PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The VOCAL CO-OP (Consumer Owned & Operated Programs) provides technical assistance, training, and support to help strengthen existing and forming peer-run programs throughout the state.  Peer-run programs are programs that are designed, led, and governed by people who have a lived experience with mental health challenges or have been diagnosed with mental illness.  Member programs include drop-in centers, peer support programs, recovery groups, training programs, advocacy groups, and more.  Types of assistance may vary depending on the needs of the programs.  Common areas of assistance include:  program evaluations, data collection, program consultations, coaching program leaders, leading trainings, organizing events with professional trainers, strategic planning, nonprofit management, and providing guidance and support to new programs.  Past projects have included administering grants, leading training program and leadership retreats, developing toolkits, advocating for programs, new program development, and development and implementation of data collection procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Program and grant administration to include financial management and reporting.
• Work with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) grant administrator on grant deliverables.
• Complete DBHDS grant deliverables including, but not limited to:  data collection, program assessments, program work plans, resources, etc.
• Update and maintain website as appropriate.
• Serve as a point of contact for the program.
• Provide technical assistance to peer-run programs through email, phone, site visits, etc.
• Provide a regular schedule of small business/non-profit education workshops for grassroots peer-run programs in Virginia, including but not limited to a monthly newsletter, "The CO-OP Corner".

• Present at conferences including the VOCAL conference, serve on councils, and general advocacy for programs.
• Assist Network in organizing and coordinating the annual statewide consumer conference.
• Create and maintain an online toolbox for peer-run programs in Virginia.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Lived experience as a person with mental health challenges/mental illness.

• Belief in and commitment to the principles of mental health recovery.

• Understanding of the peer movement.

• Experience with peer-run mental health programs.

• Background in non-profit management and/or grassroots program leadership.

• Program evaluation and implementation.

• Ability to develop and implement data collection methods.

• Self-motivation and ability to thrive in a self-directed environment.

• Ability to travel and visit programs throughout Virginia.

• Compassion, trustworthiness, and integrity.

• Good communication and organizational skills.

• Commitment to creating a program that is welcoming and inclusive to people from diverse backgrounds.
• High school diploma or equivalent.  College degree preferred.

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director

TYPE OF POSITION:

This position is categorized as regular part-time at 25 hours per week, exempt.  Flexibility is a must.

COMPENSATION:

Wages for this position will be commensurate with experience.  Benefits are included as described in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

LOCATION:

VOCAL currently has offices in Charlottesville and Richmond; however, working from a home office in another part of the state may be possible.

TRAVEL:

Travel will be frequent in this position.

TO APPLY: 

REACH Program Director Job Description

REACH PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The VOCAL REACH (Recovery Education And Creative Healing) program offers opportunities to individual peers for education, training, and empowerment.  It currently provides Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator training and promotes the concepts of recovery and wellness throughout the state through workshops, trainings, and presentations.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Program and grant administration to include financial management and reporting.
• Work with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) grant administrator on grant deliverables.
• Complete DBHDS grant deliverables.
• Update and maintain website/Facebook as appropriate.
• Complete and maintain a current database of Virginia WRAP facilitators.
• Serve as a point of contact for the program.

• Plan and lead WRAP facilitator training and additional recovery-based trainings.
• Provide recovery education workshops including but not limited to Firewalkers/Firestories workshops, workshops on creative wellness tools, and workshops addressing Whole Health for mental health consumers to people receiving mental health services as well as those who provide services throughout Virginia.
• Manage the Firewalkers/Firestories book sales and speaker requests.
• Collaborate with other state agencies/organizations on preparing people with lived mental health experience to help facilitate Advance Medical Decision documents, including psychiatric decisions.
• Provide follow-up technical assistance, monitoring and support to those who have been trained as facilitators.
• Develop partnerships with DBHDS, state hospitals, community services boards, peer-run programs, and other mental health agencies to assist in establishing a recovery-based services system throughout Virginia.
• Establish and consult with an advisory council in regards to the overall direction of the program.
• Development and production of all promotional materials.
• Assist Network in organizing and coordinating the annual statewide consumer conference.
• Present at conferences, including the annual VOCAL conference.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Lived experience as a person with mental health challenges/mental illness.

• Belief in and commitment to the principles of mental health recovery.
• Background in teaching, training, and leading classes or workshops.
• Experience in developing one's own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
• Experience as a WRAP facilitator.
• Background in non-profit or mental health program management.

• Strong personal communication skills, compassion, trustworthiness, and integrity.
• Self-motivation and skill in working in an independent environment.

• Ability to travel throughout Virginia.

• High school diploma or equivalent.  College degree preferred.

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director.

TYPE OF POSITION:

This position is categorized as regular part-time at 20 hours per week, exempt.  Flexibility is a must.

COMPENSATION:

Wages for this position will be commensurate with experience.  Benefits are included as described in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

LOCATION:

VOCAL currently has offices in Charlottesville and Richmond; however, working from a home office in another part of the state may be possible.

TRAVEL:

Travel will be frequent in this position.

TO APPLY: 

Email a cover letter stating for which position you are applying, resume, and a minimum of three references to REACHjob@vocalvirginia.org.  Position is open until filled.

Wellness and Recovery Coordinator Job Description

NETWORK PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Wellness and Recovery Coordinator is part of the VOCAL Network: the outreach, advocacy, and networking program of VOCAL. It is a thriving membership-driven program with over 1,600 members. The Network works to develop infrastructure for peer support and education to adults with a lived experience of mental health challenges/illness, helps to foster peer participation and leadership in the mental health system, and advocates on behalf of peers in Virginia. The Network provides mutual support and education focusing on empowerment and promoting wellness and recovery.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as an advocate for systems change in the mental health care delivery system as needed.
• Advocates for the needs and rights of Virginians with mental illness as needed.
• Supports VOCAL principles: the expectation of recovery, self-help, peer support, diversity, informed choice, and civil rights.
• Makes outreach presentations/visits, to promote recovery and VOCAL programs as requested.
• Represents VOCAL at state and local agencies and other community organizations as needed.
• Collaborates on the VOCAL annual conference and other projects, as needed.
• Works with the VOCAL CO-OP as needed in providing technical support to Virginia's peer-run programs.
• Works with the Network on developing and carrying out a self-help or advocacy project with US military veteran consumer/survivors.
• Works with the Network on developing and carrying out a self-help or advocacy project with members of the LGBT community.
• Works with the Network on reaching out to mental health peers experiencing homelessness and providers of mental health services to the homeless community.
• Works with the Network on a Whole Health initiative aimed toward individuals in the mental health community.
• Collaborates with DBHDS on its Employment First efforts.
• Works with the Network and supervises volunteers as appropriate.

• Facilitates workshops on various aspects of recovery including but not limited to Whole Health topics.
• Develops relationships with other organizations that support VOCAL's values. This will include work with formal coalitions and informal collaboration on specific projects.

• Works with VOCAL's REACH program as needed, including organizing and facilitating workshops.

• Assists Network in organizing and coordinating the annual statewide consumer conference.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Lived experience as a person with mental health challenges/mental illness.
• Belief in, and commitment to, the principles of mental health recovery.
• Understanding of the peer movement.
• Strong personal communication skills, compassion, trustworthiness, and integrity.
• Self-motivation and skill in working in an independent environment.
• Skills in consensus-building and facilitation.
• Understanding of the public mental health and human services systems in Virginia.
• Experience with consumer-run programs and/or other grass roots organizations.
• Ability to travel throughout Virginia.
• High school diploma or equivalent. College degree preferred.

REPORTS TO:

Network Program Director.

TYPE OF POSITION:

This position is categorized as regular part-time at 25 hours per week, non-exempt.

COMPENSATION:

Wages for this position will be commensurate with experience. Benefits are included as described in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

LOCATION:

This position is part of the Network and is based in Richmond.

TRAVEL:

Travel will be occasional in this position.

TO APPLY: 

Email a cover letter stating for which position you are applying, resume, and a minimum of three references to Wellnessjob@vocalvirginia.org. Position is open until filled.

Ask VOCAL! 

Do you have a question that you wish to direct to the Executive Director about VOCAL?  Now is your chance to do so; please direct your questions to askVOCAL@vocalvirginia.org.  Your submissions will be answered and published in the Network News following your submission. 

Link to Virginia Mental Health Conferences and Trainings Calendar for Opportunities to Attend Conferences and Trainings - Posted 4.11  

Go to:  http://tinyurl.com/VirginiaCalendar

Do you know of other things that could be posted on this calendar?? Email Yolande Long: yolande@vocalvirginia.org