Crisis Worker

Redwood Community Services Inc; Ukiah (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwood Community Services, Inc. in Ukiah, CA is seeking a Crisis Worker to provide urgent crisis de-escalation, assessment, and linkage services to Mendocino County residents during emergencies.

Under the Program Manager, you deliver short-term, strengths-based, safety-focused interventions tailored to client needs. The role involves rapid in-person responses within 20–40 minutes, crisis counseling, documentation, and coordination for inpatient placement when required.

Qualifications

• MHRS I requires Associate's Degree and 6 years in a mental health field.
• MHRS II requires Bachelor's Degree and 4 years in a mental health field.
• MHRS III requires Master's Degree and 2 years in a mental health field.

Responsibilities

• Responds to 24/7 crisis calls, providing timely support and de-escalation.
• Delivers crisis counseling, engagement, and goal-oriented support.
• Performs evaluations to determine need for involuntary holds under 5150/5585 criteria.
• Coordinates inpatient placement and transportation for hospitalization if needed.
• Documents all crisis contacts and interventions per standards.
• Maintains and updates emergency response documentation and records.

Education

MHRS I

MHRS II

MHRS III

Job description

Job Details:

Job Location: Crisis Office - Ukiah, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Associate's Degree, Salary Range: $27.30 - $31.40Hourly, Travel Percentage: Personal Vehicle Use, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, Job Title: Crisis Worker

Department: Crisis Response Services

Location: Ukiah, CA

Status: Full-Time, 3/4-Time, Part-Time, On-Call positions available, Non-Exempt

Hours: 0-40 hours per week

Salary: $27.30-$31.40 per hour (DOE) / Additional Differentials Must Qualify

Open Date: March 1, 2026

Close Date: Open until filled

$1,000 Sign-On Bonus: The sign-on bonus is paid in two installments: $500 upon hire into the Crisis Worker position and an additional $500 after successfully completing six months of employment.

Certification Requirement: A valid 5150 Certification is required prior to being classified as a Crisis Worker.

Pay Differentials Offered (must qualify through testing or verification):

• Language Translation - Bi-cultural Spanish: $1.00 per hour


• Bimodal Bilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $1.00 per hour


• Bimodal Multilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $2.00 per hour

Overview:

Provides urgent crisis de-escalation, assessment, and linkage services to Mendocino County consumers during a crisis intervention. Works under the direction of the Program Manager to provide short-term, strengths based, safety focused intervention that is individualized to client current need. Services will be aimed at stability and linkage. Ability to provide in-the-moment coaching, problem-solving, coping, skill development, safety planning, and crisis intervention. Immediate response to emergency referrals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responds to incoming crisis calls through the 24/7 RC3 Hotline and Mendocino County Access Line, providing timely and effective support. When necessary, delivers rapid in-person response to emergency referrals within 20–40 minutes.


• Effectively de-escalates high-risk situations, prioritizing and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.


• Performs counseling and psychotherapy services, including crisis intervention, one-on-one client engagement, problem identification, and goal-oriented support.


• Conducts comprehensive evaluations and assessments to determine the need for involuntary hospitalization under 5150/5585 criteria and, when appropriate, completes the required legal documentation to initiate holds.


• Maintains the ability to rescind or invalidate holds with appropriate supervisory approval.


• Coordinates placement by securing inpatient psychiatric beds and arranging safe and timely transportation for clients requiring hospitalization.


• Accurately documents all crisis and service-related contacts, including detailed records of interventions and outcomes, in accordance with agency and regulatory standards.

Qualifications: Education/Experience:

• MHRS I: Associate's Degree & 6 years experience in a mental health-related field.


• MHRS II: Bachelor's Degree & 4 years experience in a mental health-related field.


• MHRS III: Master's Degree & 2 years experience in a mental health-related field.

Experience must include direct work with individuals diagnosed with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and/or those with comorbid conditions involving SMI.

Conditions of Employment:

• Certification Requirement: A valid 5150 Certification is required prior to being classified as a Crisis Worker.


• Must pass a clear background check with DOJ & FBI.


• CPR and First Aid Certified.


• TB Exam and Physical at the time of employment.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for business purposes and on-call rotation.

Other Requirements:

• Driving is a required function of this position. Employees must use a personal vehicle that meet all agency requirements, including maintaining liability insurance that meets or exceeds state requirements.


• Employees are responsible for ensuring the timely renewal of their vehicle insurance policies and providing updated documentation to the agency to remain in good standing and compliant with position requirements.

On-Call Rotation:

• Employees will participate in the on-call rotation for the program.


• Employees must commit to at least one weekend per month.


• Employees will be required to sign an on-call agreement.

Training:

RCS provides an in-depth onboarding and training orientation, which includes CPR/First Aid, Crisis Communication/Pro-ACT, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Collaborative Problem Solving, introductions to all RCS departments, and other valuable trainings.

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package available.

Redwood Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.