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Tompkins County Whole Health is seeking a Planner to join the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health Services. This role focuses on analyzing data, community input, and system-level priorities to identify gaps in mental health and substance use services and support the design and development of programs that address those needs. The Planner helps guide initiatives from concept through implementation and contributes to the development of department-wide tools, systems, and resources that support coordination and collaboration. 

The Planner also serves as a key liaison for grants, Requests for Proposals, contracts, and legislative actions, including identifying funding opportunities, supporting fair and transparent RFP processes, assisting with annual contracting with nonprofit providers, and contributing to the Department’s Annual Report of program outcomes. This position works closely with internal leadership and actively engages with community partners, including participation in initiatives such as the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition, youth mental hygiene service coordination, and overdose prevention efforts, including management of Opioid Settlement Funds. 

This is a full-time, permanent position working 40 hours per week. The starting hire rate is $35.51 per hour, increasing to $37.39 per hour after nine months. The position is benefits-eligible and non-competitive under the HELP Program, with no civil service exam required. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (

a) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four-year college or university with a Master’s Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Health Education, Health Science, Nursing, Emergency Management, Human Services, Criminal Justice or field related to project management, OR 

(b) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Health Education, Health Science, Nursing, Emergency Management, Human Services, Criminal Justice or field related to project management, AND two years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience planning, implementing, coordinating, organizing, supervising, or administering an public, mental or behavioral health program; OR

 (c) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two-year college with an Associate’s Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Health Education, Health Science, Nursing, Emergency Management, Human Services, Criminal Justice or field related to project management AND four years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience planning, implementing, coordinating, organizing, supervising, or administering an public, mental or behavioral health program; OR

(d) Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that described in (a) and (b) above. Tompkins County is Committed to Equity and Inclusion. We encourage those with similar values to apply.

Typical Job Duties 

  • Identify grant funding and state Requests for Proposals that align with the Department's mission and submit grant proposals to expand local services available.  
  • Write Requests for Proposals (RFPs) with local, state and federal monies made available to the Local Government Unit to ensure services are provided in the county. Develop a review process for proposals submitted to ensure a fair process in proposal selection. 
  • Serve as a departmental liaison for RFPs, Grants, and Legislative Resolutions.
  • Analyze local, state and federal mental hygiene data to identify gaps in services and select local metrics to measure progress in achieving Local Service Plan goals. 
  • Complete and analyze the findings of the Workforce Survey conducted annually by the Community Services Board.  
  • Actively Participate in the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition 
  • Support efforts to expand and better coordinate youth mental hygiene services in Tompkins County. 
  • Support data collection and program initiatives related to the prevention of substance use overdose and death including managing Opioid Settlement Funds received and expensed for LGU/City of Ithaca. 
  • Assist in annual contracting process with the local non-profit sector and the development of the Annual Report of program outcomes published on the Whole Health website each year. 
  • Prepares and presents reports and evaluations defining project progress, problems and solutions; 
  • Works as hands-on member of project team to implement project objectives;
  • Resolves obstacles and manages project changes to achieve project goals; 
  • Troubleshoots and resolves user problems related to project implementation; 
  • Coordinates internal and external resources to execute projects; 
  • Interacts with internal and external stakeholders; 
  • Develops and implements project management processes and policies; 
  • Communicates directly with Senior Leadership, departmental staff and partners to ensure project objectives are met; 
  • Develops and delivers training programs on computer applications as needed; 
  • Does related work as required

The position will develop programs to address current gaps in care by researching best practices in similarly designed programs, analyzing local and state data, interviewing content experts, and participating in meetings with multiple stakeholders including those with lived experience. Areas of focus include:  1) Services that reduce unnecessary hospitalization and involvement in the criminal justice system by supporting individuals who have severe mental health and substance use disorders and significant unmet social health needs.  2) Prevention and treatment services for youth to ensure a complete continuum of care, 3) Suicide Prevention and the Prevention of overdose deaths, and 4) Strategies designed to achieve the goals outlined in the Local Services Plan.  This position will identify solutions to barriers in care coordination and access to care.  The Whole Health Planner will complete all of the steps in program design and implementation including budgeting, seeking legislative approval, writing contracts, and ongoing evaluation.