Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo will be the site of the the Behavioral Health & Human Services Job Fair scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Hosted by the Erie County Department of Mental Health, the event will feature over 50 different participating agencies. The job fair will take place on Sept. 28 during two different time periods: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ; and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Like most workforces coming out of the pandemic, there is a desperate need for trained staff in the mental health space coupled with increased demand, Cherie Messore from Spectrum Health explains, "People are more aware of the importance of their mental wellness now than ever before coming off the pandemic. People are coping more with depression and anxiety more than ever before. At Spectrum Health, we also counseled people with addiction diagnosis, and regrettably, addiction is still an issue in Western New York in all areas, and across all demographics, nobody is immune and there is a workforce shortage of eligible and trained clinical staff to meet all these needs."
Those looking to attend the job fair should bring a couple copies of their resumes and be prepared for on-site interviews. Even though some are looking for licensed counselors, most agencies are hiring at all levels and there is much room to grow into the career of human service work.
"We have a vast array of positions that are available Gateway Longview. We are hiring for administrative coordinators to support our clinical services in our outpatient clinic, we are looking for licensed mental health clinicians. We're looking for behavioral health specialists, we're looking for case managers and then our entire agency, we also have positions open within our education, residential and foster care programs," says Kristy D'Angelo with Gateway Longview Mental Health Services.
"We have opportunities up and down the board, people with clinical and counseling experience and also people who have some strong customer service and administrative skills as well," says Messore for Spectrum Health.
For those looking to change career paths or those who are dedicated to helping other people, this a rare opportunity to discuss an opportunity to discuss a career path that will can significantly improve the mental well being of a person in times where might need it the most, "All the agencies that are going to be represented on the 28th do good work in our community and they're all committed to helping our community grow its own capacity for mental wellness. This is a great opportunity to meet those agencies and assess for yourself what's best for you, what's the right opportunity for you," says Messore.
The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is located at 153 Franklin St. in Buffalo and is accessible to people with disabilities. Handicapped meter parking will be available on Franklin Street, Pearl Street and other surroundings streets. Any guests or clients with special needs are asked to contact the BNCC Administrative Office at (716) 855-5555 so the appropriate accommodations can be made.