Crisis Intervention Specialist

COUNTY OF MENDOCINO; Ukiah (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation accrual

Job summary

The County of Mendocino seeks a Crisis Intervention Specialist to provide field-based psychiatric crisis intervention and counseling across Mendocino County, including encampments and shelters. The role may require 24/7 on-call coverage and works with law enforcement and community partners.

Mandatory 5150/5585 certifications at time of application; bachelor's degree and four years in mental health, including field-based experience; valid driver's license required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus four years in a mental health setting, including field-based experience.
• Must hold 5150/5585 certifications at application time.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to work across Mendocino County.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention in lieu of law enforcement when appropriate.
• Maintain on-call schedule to ensure 24/7 crisis response coverage.
• Operate police radio and communicate with dispatch during crises.
• Conduct assessments for voluntary/involuntary psychiatric holds.
• Coordinate discharge planning and referrals to treatment programs.
• Document notes per standards and regulations.

Skills

Crisis intervention

De-escalation

Interagency collaboration

Documentation

Cultural competence

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years mental health experience

Tools

Driver’s license

Job description

The Position

This position provides mandated field-based crisis response services to individuals throughout Mendocino County, including responding to various locations as needed. Qualified applicants will be offered schedules which include non-business hours to meet the needs of the community. This classification requires current 5150/5585 certification to write involuntary hold detentions at the time of application. The role requires a high degree of integrity and the ability to navigate high-risk environments, provide high-skill interventions, and collaborate with other departments in high-pressure situations. The ideal candidate will have experience working with individuals experiencing severe and chronic health and/or substance misuse conditions in crisis situations. Current vacancies are located in Ukiah and Fort Bragg.

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part‑time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

Under general supervision, provides psychiatric crisis intervention and counseling in an immediate or emergency response to assess and enhance a client’s mental and emotional stability. This position is field/community-based and responds to individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance‑related crises across Mendocino County, including encampments, shelters, and/or other field/community locations. This position may be part of a 24/7 on‑call response team.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Job Requirements And Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide crisis intervention response in lieu of law enforcement when community members are undergoing a behavioral health crisis; when appropriate, avoid using involuntary psychiatric hospitalization by providing alternative treatment resources which may include consultation, crisis intervention and referral to brief treatment and/or diversion or other voluntary crisis services as available.
• Must be part of a rotating on-call schedule to ensure 24/7 crisis response coverage, providing timely on‑site or remote support to individuals in crisis.
• Carry and maintain a police radio to ensure real‑time communication with dispatch, law enforcement, and emergency personnel during crisis response; perform routine checks on assigned equipment (police radio, smartphone) and promptly report any malfunction or issues to ensure operational readiness.
• Give advice on behavioral health‑related service calls pertaining to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150 and 5585.
• Serve as a liaison between the Police Department, other departments in the community, the public, and private community‑based organizations that provide behavioral health, crisis intervention and homeless and supportive housing services.
• Conduct assessments to determine the need for voluntary and involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines; document assessments and maintain statistics related to crisis services.
• Provide discharge planning, referrals, and follow‑up consultation to behavioral health treatment programs or facilities; provide case finding consultation, evaluation and referral services.
• Consult with behavioral health and medical professionals, supervisors, and staff regarding client’s status and disposition.
• Write chart notes in accordance with professional standards, state regulations, and department protocol, and ensure proper filing is submitted.
• Observe and document client’s behavior; assess client’s psychiatric and psychosocial needs and identify appropriate treatment goals and objectives.
• Develop lines of communication between the County and the community by explaining programs; provide information and advice to law enforcement agencies, community organizations and the general public.
• Collaborate with families to help them navigate and cope with the client’s difficulties.
• Provide telephone crisis counseling for clients and crisis consultation for local agencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience

Must meet California Code of Regulations Title IX, 630 requirements for Rehabilitation Specialist:

• 630 requirements for Rehabilitation Specialist:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience in a mental health setting, including at least one (1) year of experience in field‑based services as a specialist in the fields of mental health and substance use outreach and services.

Up to two (2) years of graduate professional education may be substituted for the experience requirement on a year‑for‑year basis.

OR

Up to two (2) years of post‑associate degree clinical experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree, in addition to the required four (4) years in a mental health setting.

Licenses And Certifications

Valid Driver’s License

5150/5585 Certifications

Incumbents must possess and maintain, or obtain and maintain, all licenses, certifications, registrations, and/or other requirements identified in the minimum qualifications, as applicable, and within the timeframes specified. These requirements are conditions of continued employment and minimum qualifications for the position. Failure to possess, obtain, or maintain any required license, certification, registration, or other requirement within the specified timeframe may result in rejection during the probationary period, or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with applying racial equity lens, including organizational assessments, practices, or policies.
• Principles and practices of supporting individuals in crisis or dangerous situations.
• Demonstrates understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and protocols of law enforcement and first responder agencies.
• Behavioral health terminology and psychiatric disorders, and applicable treatments.
• DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria.
• California Welfare & Institutions Code (5150, 5585) on involuntary behavioral health holds.
• Laws and regulations affecting the detention, counseling or referral of clients.
• Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques.
• Effects of alcohol and drugs.
• Available community resources and referral sources.
• Crisis intervention principles, methods, and techniques.
• Methods and techniques of individual, group, and family counseling.
• Medical chart documentation procedures.
• Various therapeutic models.
• Community resources, services, and organizations.

Skill In

• Exercising initiative, sound judgment, and independent decision‑making.
• De‑escalating and resolving conflict effectively.
• Counseling and adherence to established therapeutic processes and procedures.
• Performing case management.
• Working within deadlines, managing multiple assignments, and setting appropriate priorities.
• Effectively communicating and coordinating with law enforcement and first responders in high‑pressure or emergency situations.
• Listening and communicating effectively; remaining calm under pressure; and maintaining a friendly disposition.
• Applying principles and practices of program development, implementation, and evaluation within a government or social service context.
• Managing sensitive information with discretion, diplomacy, and compliance with privacy laws.
• Protecting client’s rights and providing advocacy for those with serious mental health or substance use conditions.
• Preparing detailed assessments and documentation and maintaining accurate client records in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Mental And Physical Abilities

• Capable of working evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and on‑call during emergencies as needed.
• Ability to maintain the mental capacity necessary to exercise sound judgment and rational thinking in a variety of circumstances.
• Maintain effective audio‑visual discrimination and perception required to make accurate observations and judgments regarding client behavior.
• Requires the ability to exert physical effort in emergencies, as well as perform sedentary to light work involving movement between office areas.
• Effectively managing personal risk and responding quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Capable of building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with public safety personnel to support joint operations and response efforts.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Dealing with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

Special Requirements

Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre‑employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn More

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY

Compensation is based on a five‑step salary range, with annual merit‑based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT

Covered Under Social Security And The 1937 Act; Both Employees And The County Pay Into The Retirement Fund. For The Most Current Information Regarding County Retirement Please Go To https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE

Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 – 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION

Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE

Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro‑rated for part‑time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part‑time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra‑help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE

The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE

For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM

For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS

For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Certification Question

Crisis Intervention Specialist positions require current 5150 and 5585 certifications. Applicants must possess both certifications at the time of application.

Do you currently hold these certifications?

If Yes, please attach copies of both certificates to your application.

• Yes, I currently hold both 5150 and 5585 certifications.
• No, I do not hold both required certifications.
• Required Question