Designated Crisis Responder (DCR), Involuntary Commitment Specialist

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

King County's Behavioral Health and Recovery Division seeks Designated Crisis Responders (DCR) to investigate cases of adults and youths with suspected behavioral health disorders who may be gravely disabled or a danger to self or others. Positions include full-time and one part-time 28.5 hours weekly.

DCRs must reach clients in challenging locations, coordinate with law enforcement and courts, prepare legal documents, and maintain case files.

Qualifications

• Be a Mental Health Professional and meet WA credential requirement.
• At least two years of relevant experience with mental illness.
• Able to pass jail clearances and drive throughout King County.
• Proficient in MS Word, Outlook, and Internet; able to learn electronic records.
• Maintain driving record abstract; pass physical and background checks.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with community partners to assist evaluation and disposition plans.
• Determine custody and involuntary hospitalization eligibility under RCW 71.05 and 71.34.
• Coordinate with law enforcement and treatment agencies; prepare necessary legal papers.
• Maintain case files timely; ensure record completeness.
• Advocate for patients to obtain treatment and continuity of care.
• Educate families and community on clinical and legal options.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Collaboration with partners

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in Behavioral Science

Master’s degree in Nursing Science

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Electronic records systems

Job description

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.

Our Behavioral Health and Recovery Division is looking to hire up to 10 career service Designated Crisis Responders (DCR), one being part-time (28.5 hours per week), and the rest full-time. The responsibilities of the DCR includes investigating cases of adults and juveniles believed to have a behavioral health disorder and to be a danger to themselves, others, property and/or who are gravely disabled. Incumbents determine whether these persons should be involuntarily detained for treatment under RCW 71.05 and RCW 71.34 and coordinate cases through the legal system. The DCR team provides investigation services for involuntary detention on a 24-hour-a-day basis and must be able to meet with and interview patients in a variety of physical locations with difficult access, such as apartments on upper floors with no elevator service, alleys, parks, homeless camps and under bridges. Incumbents must also be able to anticipate and respond to threats by potentially hostile or violent patients.

Crisis and Commitment Services unit's mission is to provide quality care, and to protect public safety while maintaining individual rights by attempting to resolve the crisis in the least restrictive manner.

To be considered minimally qualified, applicants must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skill and ability to:

• Work collaboratively with community partners (i.e. hospital, evaluation and treatment facility, law enforcement, court, families, witnesses, etc.) to assist in evaluation and disposition plan for patients.
• Make a legal decision as to whether an individual meets the statutorily requirements to be taken into custody and involuntarily hospitalized under RCW 71.05 and 71.34.
• Determine nature and level of crisis, provide crisis intervention, assess credibility of witnesses, coordinate with law enforcement and treatment agencies, and determine if statutory requirements are met.
• Ensure proper preparation and filing of legal papers, prepare declarations, serve subpoenas and notice of hearings, consult with King County Prosecuting Attorney and public defender, testify in court if needed. If the DCR testimony is necessary to proceed in court hearing, may be required to be available to the court on scheduled time off.
• Maintain all aspects of case file in a timely manner and communicate with colleagues to ensure efficiency and completeness of record.
• Advocate for patients to obtain appropriate treatment and continuity of care. Provide assistance in finding less-restrictive alternatives to involuntary detention.
• Educate patients’ families, service agencies and the community regarding clinical issues, legal issues and treatment alternatives.
• Participate in training new colleagues in the field, when so assigned, as mutually agreed to by supervisor and training employee.
• Provide shadowing opportunities for community partners approved by management to shadow the DCR, as long as it does not impede with safety.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Must meet and maintain the definition of a Mental Health Professional as defined in WAC 246-341-0515. Within 90 days of hire, you must meet and maintain a Washington State Department of Health credential that satisfies the definition of MHP in good standing, or termination of probation will occur.
• At least two (2) years of relevant experience with direct evaluation and treatment of persons with mental illness.
• Must be able to pass initial and all subsequent King County Jail clearances.
• Be physically able to safely enter and rapidly exit residences throughout King County.
• Proficiency using MS Word, Outlook, and the Internet with the ability to learn electronic record systems.
• Participate in annual safety training and all required trainings.
• Maintain a valid, unencumbered Washington State Driver's License.
• Knowledge of RCW 71.05 and RCW 71.34 and related WACs and the legal process of detention and commitment.
• Knowledge of social services network and programs/resources offering alternatives to involuntary detention.
• Knowledge and experience in direct treatment of people living with behavioral health disorders.
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills.

Please Note:

• Possession of a valid unencumbered Washington State Driver’s License.
• Provide a current and satisfactory abstract of your complete driving record for the last five years.
• Ability to pass a post-offer/pre-employment physical examination.
• Ability to pass a Washington State Patrol Background Check on a post-offer/pre-employment basis.
• Provide proof of a Master’s degree in Behavioral Science, Nursing Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university, including unofficial transcript(s) and a copy of degree.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

• This position has been designated Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
• The part time position will work 28.5 hours a week. The full-time positions typically work four 9.5-hour shifts per week. Shifts are typically 9.5 hours/day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This is a union shop and shift selections are annual and based on seniority. The selected candidates may be assigned to the night (graveyard) shift including weekends and holidays. Successful candidates must be available to testify at ITA court and attend staff meetings and/or mandatory training on scheduled days off. These positions are eligible for overtime (nonexempt) with supervisory pre-approval. Candidates must be willing to work in environments that may cause exposure to communicable diseases. This position meets the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible with prior supervisory pre-approval.
• This position is represented by SEIU Local 925 (Union Code: A4).
• Classification: Designated Crisis Responder, Involuntary Commitment Specialist.

WHO MAY APPLY:

This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. First consideration will be to applicants who apply by July 19, 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The interviews following the first review of applicants will take place on or around August 4, 2025. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, “see my resume” are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.