Youth Mental Health Manager in East Syracuse, New York at CONTACT COMMUNITY SERVICES INC

Position Title:
Youth Mental Health Manager Location:
Main Office/Program Site(s) Date:
September 2026

Reporting Relationship(s):
School Services Division Assistant Director FLSA Classification:
Exempt

General Summary

As part of the School Services leadership team, the Youth Mental Health Manager is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive, data-driven, evidence-based strategies for improving mental health, social emotional learning, and suicide prevention among youth in Onondaga County and Central New York

The Youth Mental Health Manager directs and supports key programs and teams such as Suicide Safety in Schools, Youth Development Services, and others within the School Services Division of the agency. They are responsible for implementing programs, compliance, evaluation, reporting, and supervision of program staff. This position works closely with the School Services Division Director in developing collaborative relationships with community partners and working towards achieving division wide goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Oversight & Operations
1. Plan, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of the Youth Suicide Prevention (YSP) Program.
2. Provide leadership, supervision, and coaching to program staff to ensure high-quality service delivery and ensure program outcomes are being met.
3. Track and manage referrals to the YSP Program and coordinate connections between staff, community partners and referral sources.
4. Montior community partners contracts and deliverables, establish close working relationship with program partners.
5. Establish and facilitate monthly Youth Advisory Board meetings for youth participating in Contact Community Services programming.
6. Support youth voice and leadership in program planning and evaluation efforts.
7. Participate as a core planning committee member for the annual Youth Mental Health Summit.
Data Management & Compliance
1. Monitor program compliance with performance goals; address challenges to ensure program success.
2. Collect, analyze, and use data to monitor outcomes and drive continuous program improvement.
3. Review program metrics weekly/monthly to ensure staff and program compliance.
4. Prepare and submit quarterly and annual reports, including required narratives and documentation from program staff, in a timely manner.
5. Support the development and monitoring of the agency, division and program workplans.
6. Assist Division leadership with accreditation processes, audit reviews, and site visits.
7. Ensure all program staff and self are completing all training required by program, funder and agency and meeting all other compliance requirements.
8. Ensure all data and records are maintained following privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Supervision & Team Support
1. Provide leadership, supervision, and coaching to direct reports to ensure high-quality service delivery and ensure program outcomes are being met.
2. Establish clear performance expectations and accountability standards for staff, conduct regular one-on-ones to monitor progress and address challenges.
3. Supervise staff evaluating performance and providing feedback, helping to resolve employee issues and disputes, providing professional development opportunities
4. Ensure personnel requests such as time off and time card submission are handled promptly.
5. Foster cross-departmental collaboration, resolve conflicts, and champion a positive, inclusive workplace culture that promotes staff engagement and retention.
6. Collaborate with HR on recruiting to screen and hiring qualified and appropriate staff.
Fiscal Management
1. Assist Division leadership in budget development, planning and monitoring of financial resources.

Collaboration & External Relations
1. Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with school districts, administrators, and community partners to promote program sustainability.
2. Represent Contact and the School Services Department at community coalitions, conferences, school events, and professional forums.
3. Deliver and participate in trainings related to mental health, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention for staff, partners, and community stakeholders.
Strategic Development & Innovation
1. Contribute to organizational policy development and strategic planning related to school-based prevention services.
2. Stay current on research, best practices, and emerging trends in behavioral health and substance use prevention.
3. Identify and support opportunities for program sustainability, including funding, partnerships, and resource development.
4. Participate in agency meetings and events.

Education Requirements

• Bachelors degree in School Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or related field required.
• Master’s degree in School Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or related field preferred.

Previous Experience Background

• Three years of operational leadership and management experience in a nonprofit organization. Educational institution or other related setting
• Demonstrated track record in program development, implementation, and evaluation.

Desired Skills, Experience and Knowledge

• Proven strategic and visionary leadership skills with problem solving skills.
• Exceptional capacity for developing staff and empowering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Experience creating collaborative relationships.
• Demonstrated understanding of principles of diversity, equity, inclusion. Knowledge of National CLAS standards.
• Excellent presentation/oral, written and interpersonal communications skills.
Additional Requirements

• Must submit background checks by the Office of Mental Health, the NYS Justice Center, the NYS Department of Education, and educational verification.
• Flexible schedule required, including some evening and weekend hours.
• Ability to travel and work at different school sites and community settings.
• Recognizes and values diversity within the work environment. Be an effective team player, value and be respectful of individual differences.
• Access to reliable daily transportation to travel to school and community sites as needed.
• Follow School Services Attendance and PTO policies and procedures.

Physical Dimensions (Job-related physical abilities an individual needs to possess in order to perform the job in a satisfactory manner)

• Regular walking, driving, and the ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodation will be made for individuals with disabilities

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the program. This document does not constitute a contract of employment, implied or otherwise. Employment remains “at-will.”
Contact Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.