ACS-Behavioral Health Responder Tier 2

City of Albuquerque; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Albuquerque seeks a field-focused crisis response professional to assist individuals with mental and behavioral health, homelessness, addiction, and related conditions. You will operate in the field or by phone, providing risk assessment, safety planning, and referral to services.

Role emphasizes collaboration with city staff, providers, and community partners; bilingual abilities are a plus and multi-agency coordination is common.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited university or college.
• Four (4) years' experience in social services, behavioral health, human services, public health, emergency management, criminal justice or related field.
• Licenses or certifications preferred: LMSW, LCSW, LISW, LPCC, LMFT, CNP, CNS.

Responsibilities

• Respond to 911 requests for assistance with individuals in mental/behavioral health, homelessness, addiction or related conditions.
• Assess safety and determine services needed, then refer as appropriate.
• Provide short term, solution-focused intervention.
• Develop safety or crisis management plans for individual safety.
• Provide case management assessment and follow-up.
• Coordinate with City staff and service providers to connect community with continuum of care.
• Attend community meetings as assigned.
• Disseminate information about city resources and assistance.
• Respond to requests from individuals, schools and social service agencies; refer and sometimes transport to treatment providers.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Case management

Interagency coordination

Communication

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Master's degree

Licenses or certifications preferred (LMSW, LCSW, LISW, LPCC, LMFT, CNP, CNS)

Job description

Position Summary

Respond in person or by phone to requests for assistance with individuals experiencing issues with mental and behavioral health, inebriation, homelessness, addiction, chronic mental illness as well as other issues that do not require police or EMT response.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Work under potentially abusive, hazardous or emergency conditions.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Essential And Supplemental Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Respond in person or by phone to 911 requests for assistance with individuals experiencing issues with mental and behavioral health, inebriation, homelessness, addiction, chronic mental illness as well as other issues that do not require police or EMT response.
• Assess safety, determine services needed, and make appropriate referrals, giving consideration to client preferences.
• Provide short term, solution focused intervention.
• Develop or participate in the development of safety plans or crisis management plans to assist individuals in maintaining personal safety and the safety of those around them.
• Provide case management assessment and follow-up.
• Coordinate with City staff and service providers to help connect the community with a continuum of care.
• Attend community meetings as assigned.
• Stay up-to-date with new trends, culturally relevant models and innovations within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Dissemination of information about city resources and assistance.
• Respond to requests for assistance from individuals, schools and social service agencies; refer and occasionally provide transportation to local treatment providers and other appropriate locations.
• Provide supportive guidance to other department staff members and communicate effectively with all those encountered in the course of work.
• Demonstrate culturally sensitive care to individuals and families and preserves strict confidentially of information.
• Prepare written reports, maintain client records and statistical data.
• Operate city vehicles and radio equipment when responding to on-scene situations.
• Evaluate a wide range of crisis issues and supply appropriate information and referral services and employ appropriate intervention techniques to resolve/mitigate crisis situations.
• Provide crisis support and connection to sexual assault services for victims of sexual assault, molestation and other related crimes.
• Ensure department visibility with key stakeholders in community.
• Promote the department within the community through participation in meetings with community partners, health fairs and community events.
• Educate community about department’s role.
• May respond to emergency situations in an on-call capacity.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with individuals in crises situations, community groups and general public.

Supplemental Functions

• Perform related duties and other assignments as needed.
• Successful completion of annual trainings (mental health first aid, CEU, and CPR first aid).

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.

Master's degree from an accredited university or college;

Four (4) years' experience in social services, behavioral health, human services, public health, emergency management, criminal justice, public safety, or related health field.

Possession of any of the following licenses or certifications preferred: Licensed Masters of Social Work (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Additional Requirements

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Successful completion of a security background check conducted by the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays as required.

Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Working Conditions

Environmental

This position will primarily be assigned to the field, with occasional office reporting.

Physical

May require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, walking, kneeling, crouching, and climbing for extended periods of time. Must be able to operate while wearing PPE, such as Body Armor, gloves, mask and protective outer clothing.