Co-Responder Mental Health Clinician

Commerce City; Commerce City (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus $4,000

Job summary

City of Commerce City is seeking a Co-Responder Mental Health Clinician to join the Commerce City Police Department. You will provide on-scene behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, and referrals to connect individuals with services and treatment, helping divert them from the criminal justice system.

You will partner with officers, participate in trainings, and support ongoing case management to promote community well-being. A $4,000 signing bonus is offered for this role.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or doctorate in social work, clinical mental health counseling, psychology or closely related degree.
• Current license in Colorado as a psychologist, LPC, LAC, LMFT, or LCSW.
• Two years post-licensure in crisis counseling and experience with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-scene behavioral health assessments and crisis intervention with officers.
• Make referrals to connect clients with needed services and treatment.
• Deliver case management, follow-ups, and crisis management for clients.
• Provide ongoing training for officers on de-escalation and mental health awareness.

Skills

Crisis counseling

Verbal de-escalation

Community networking

Resource delivery

Education

Master’s degree or doctorate in social work or psychology

Job description

General Purpose

As part of our commitment to welcoming top talent, we’re proud to offer a $4,000 signing bonus to the selected candidate(s) for this role. More details will be provided during the hiring process.

The City of Commerce City is excited to announce a new opportunity for a Co-Responder Mental Health Clinician to join the Commerce City Police Department (CCPD)! This groundbreaking position signifies a commitment to community well-being and presents an exceptional chance to make a lasting impact. As a Co-Responder Mental Health Clinician, you will provide vital support to law enforcement during behavioral health calls for service. You will work to de-escalate individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, diverting at-risk community members from the criminal justice system and connecting them with the resources and treatment they need.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment and strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

About the Role

This role reflects the City’s dedication to delivering compassionate and effective responses to community needs. As a Co-Responder Mental Health Clinician, you will partner with police officers, providing on-scene behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, crisis treatment/care plans, and making referrals based on individual needs. You will also provide case management, including linking to services, monitoring, follow-up, and crisis management for clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaboration and Support: You will work closely with police officers to make appropriate level of care decisions on scene and will follow their direction regarding on-scene safety and security measures and protocols. The CCPD is dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive work environment where your contributions are valued, and your expertise will be relied on to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.
• Make a Real Difference: This term-limited position offers a unique opportunity to directly impact the lives of individuals in our community. Your work will focus on de-escalation and stabilization within the community or through other care options, connecting individuals with the resources they need to support their well-being and reduce future police contact. You will also play a crucial role in providing ongoing training and educational opportunities for officers to increase awareness of de-escalation, mental health, and intervention.
• Responsibilities: You will respond to calls for service with public safety personnel. You will conduct mental status, suicide, risk, and needs assessments, and, when necessary, prepare legal documents for transition to the appropriate level of care. This may include preparing 27-65(M-1) mental health holds. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will interact with clients, their families, and other professionals associated with a client’s case. This will include conducting follow-ups and interventions with community members via phone calls, messages, and on-site (accompanied by a police officer, as needed). The position may also involve public presentations, engaging with community partners and organizations regarding the value and need of Mental Health Co-Responders. You will be required to maintain accurate and timely data collection and documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Responds to Behavioral Health related calls for service with public safety personnel and provides on-scene behavioral health assessments/problem identification, crisis interventions, crisis treatment/care plans and makes referrals, which are consistent with the identified needs in the plan of care and/or by the client.
• Follows direction from the partnering police officer regarding on-scene safety and security measures and protocols.
• Conducts mental status, suicide, risk and needs assessments to identify problems and appropriate interventions, referrals, and linkage to resources.
• Prepares legal documents for transition to appropriate level of care including 27-65(M-1) mental health holds, if necessary.
• Collaborates with partnering police officers to make appropriate level of care decisions on scene. Communicates, collaborates, and creates relationships with multiple collateral agencies, including schools, hospitals, non-profits, family members, etc., and facilitates referrals for needed community-based services and treatment.
• Conducts follow-ups and interventions with community members via phone calls, messages, and on-site (accompanied by a police officer, as needed), working to connect them to behavioral health care and other support resources in the community.
• Provides case management services including linking to services, monitoring, follow-up, and crisis management for client.
• Manages and maintains accurate and timely data collection and documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Provides ongoing training and educational opportunities for officers to increase awareness of de-escalation, mental health, and intervention.
• Assists with the continuous evaluation and development of the Mental Health Co-Responder program including processes, procedures, and efficacy.
• May participate in public presentations and engage with community partners and organizations regarding the value and need of Mental Health Co-Responders when necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A master’s degree or doctorate in social work, clinical mental health counseling, psychology or closely related degree from an accredited program. Preferred candidates will be licensed with two (2) years of experience, post-licensure in crisis counseling, substance abuse, behavioral disorders, verbal de-escalation, working with diverse and at-risk populations, community networking, and resource delivery. Current license in the State of Colorado as a psychologist, LPC, LAC, LMFT, or LCSW. Certified Addictions Technician (CAT) or Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) preferred.

One year or more experience in clinical social work, co-responder experience, victim advocacy, therapy, including experience working with moderate to severe and persistently mentally ill and at-risk populations, community networking and resource delivery. Experience working and collaboration with law enforcement and/or criminal justice officials. Previous shift work experience preferred.

Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the initial probationary period. Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License. Must be at least 21 years of age. Must successfully complete the initial probationary period and training.

Knowledge Of

• Modern office practices and procedures.
• All applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, statutes and ordinances relating to the position and the department.
• Criteria and procedures for emergency mental health holds within the State of Colorado.
• HIPAA regulations as it applies to mental health information and record collection, retention, and release within crisis situations and follow-up.

Skills In

• Understanding and professionally responding to customer needs.
• Operation of computers and applicable software, printers, copiers, and telephone.
• Handling sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
• Safely operates a motor vehicle in all types of weather and road conditions, and at all times of day or night.

Ability To

• Work well with culturally diverse people to handle stressful interactions to include other employees and the public.
• Maintain regular punctual attendance.
• Listen well and communicates clearly in English, verbally and in writing with various audiences and through various channels.
• Organize activities in order to complete tasks in accordance with priorities, address multiple demands, or meet deadlines.
• Uncover important and relevant information about a situation through conversation, questioning, or discussion while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Concentrate on several tasks without getting distracted.

Equipment Used, Work Environment and Physical Activities

• Duty Assignment Locations: The primary work location may vary and is subject to change based on the departmental needs and operational requirements.
• Driving: Drives a city or personal vehicle in the normal course of business.
• Office Equipment: Daily use of computer, keyboard, copier, scanner, printer, calculator, phone (desk & cell), camera, and electronic diagnostic equipment. Daily use of software programs including Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel.
• Other Equipment: Occasional use of ladders.
• Physical Activities: Moderate physical activity that may include walking, sitting, standing, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting & carrying.
• Lifting: Frequently lifts, carries, and exerts up to 40 pounds.
• Vision and Hearing: Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents. Must be able to answer telephones, communicate conversation and respond to verbal inquires. Must be able to recognize sound on construction sites that indicate nearby equipment and/or safety hazards.
• Exposure to Environmental Conditions: Will be exposed to extreme heat, cold, dry, wet, odors, smoke, loud noises, vibrations, dust or intense light and hazards normally associated with construction sites. May be exposed to chemicals including cleaners, solvents, paints and other potentially toxic agents. Work may be performed in precarious or tight spaces.
• Schedule: Must be available for on-call work schedule assignments that require working nights, weekends and holidays.
• Additional Working Conditions: May be exposed to work settings that vary in convenience and comfort. May be required to visit external, non-city work sites with the City having limited control over the work environment.
• Safety Sensitive: This position is subject to the city’s drug screening.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to individuals with disabilities for the essential functions of the job.

Please review our benefits

Paid Time-off Benefits

• Holidays: 12 paid holidays each year with the addition of an 8-hour Floating Holiday (in addition to the Floating Holiday that can be earned by participating in the Wellness Program).
• General Leave: Employees receive a General Leave bank when they’re hired, prorated based on their start date. General leave can be used for vacation, sick time, personal needs, caregiving, school activities, holidays not observed by the City, and other approved reasons in line with Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
• Other Paid Time Off: Jury Duty, Injury Leave, and Military Leave are also available to employees.

Additional Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): We provide a confidential Employee Assistance Program to help support you and your family on any issue of concern. Eight private counseling sessions are available on a range of needs including, but not limited to marital issues, parenting concerns, grief counseling, supervisor issues, and drug and alcohol abuse.
• Tuition Reimbursement: The City provides a tuition reimbursement program that reimburses qualified educational expenses.
• Eligibility for Pay Increases: Employees are eligible for a pay increase during their annual appraisal following a successful evaluation. Pay increases do not come at the time of the six-month introductory evaluation.
• Personal Computer Employee Purchase Program: To encourage the development of employee computer skills, the City offers an interest-free loan to you for the purchase of computer hardware (including a Desktop or Laptop) and software. The employee must have successfully completed their 6-month Introductory Period for eligibility.
• Recreation Center Membership: Employees and family members are eligible for a membership to the Commerce City Recreation Center for $5.00 per person per year.
• Golf Course Green Fees: Employees can play the City’s award-winning Buffalo Run Golf Course at a rate of $9.00 for 9-holes or $18.00 for 18-holes. Employees can also purchase golf merchandise at discounted prices.