Emergency Services Mental Health Coordinator

Guilford County Government; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Guilford County Government seeks an ES Mental Health Coordinator to provide mental health support, crisis intervention, and wellbeing initiatives for Guilford County Emergency Services employees. The role collaborates with internal teams and external partners to foster resilience and confidential care across the agency.

The coordinator leads the Peer Support Program, offers education to leaders, and guides employees to appropriate care as needed, including urgent needs outside regular hours.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or a related field.
• Knowledge of DSM-5TR, ethics, and mental health issues especially for first responders.
• Ability to work with GCES policies, laws, and emergency service operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide behavioral health one-on-one interventions for Guilford County Emergency Services employees.
• Defuse and debrief after critical incidents and educate supervisors on behavioral health topics.
• Lead and train the peer support team and assist with callouts as needed.
• Collaborate with external partners and clinicians to develop response plans for high impact events.
• Refer employees to advanced care when appropriate and coordinate access.

Skills

DSM-5TR knowledge

Ethics knowledge

First responder mental health

Resources knowledge

Policies & procedures

Emergency services operations

Crisis management

Verbal & written communication

Public speaking

Confidentiality

Team leadership

Collaboration with agencies

Education

Master’s in Counseling/ Social Work/ related field

Two years mental health + EMS experience OR five years EMS OR five years mental health

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

This role provides mental health supportandcrisis intervention, as well as the developingand deliveringwellness initiatives to ensure the psychological well-beingof Guilford County Emergency Services(GCES)employees

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This position collaborates with internal teams, external partners, and the Peer Support Team to foster a culture of mental health awareness and resilience across the Agency. TheES Mental Health Coordinatormust be able to lead in a manner that is consistent withGCES’svalues and standards of behavior, serving as both a resource and mentor for employeesat all levels.

The Coordinator supports employees through the development and delivery of psychological wellness programs, including individualized support, as well as providing consultation to Agency leadership on matters that could impact employee well-being. The role provides initial, ongoing, and preventative mental health education to employees. The Coordinator also leads, trains, and evaluates the Peer Support Program. The Coordinator must be knowledgeable about the Agency’s policies and procedures as they relate to employee wellness. Additionally, the Coordinator must recognize when a referral to more advanced care is appropriate and then assist employees in accessing that care. Whenever possible, the Coordinator must be willing to be responsive in the event of an urgent employee need or high impact event, even outside of regular business hours.

A clear commitment to confidentiality, ethical practices, and continuous improvement is essential, including the ability to relate authentically, build trust, and provide guidance in high-stress environments. Work is performed under the direction of an ES Manager and is evaluated through reports, project progression and completion of assignments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide behavioral health one-on-one interventions for employees of Guilford County Emergency Services.
• Assist with defusing and debriefing after a critical or personal disturbing incident has occurred.
• Provide education for supervisors and field trainers on behavioral health topics, such as how to recognize an employee who is being negatively impacted by a mental health issue.
• Provide leadership, training, and consultation for the peer support team and assist with callouts as needed.
• Provide education on mental health issues experienced by field providers at all levels of their career, with a focus on new and developing employees.
• Communicate with employees who are experiencing mental health issues and work with their supervisors to mitigate issues.
• Assist the ES Training Department when requested on continuing education topics related to mental health, such as the pre-hospital treatment of behavioral health patients.
• Collaborate with allied agencies and local clinicians to develop response plans for high impact events and provide coordinated training.
• Recognize when an employee requires more advanced or ongoing care and facilitate a referral to that care.
• Lead, guide, and/or participate in departmental programs intended to promote a positive, healthy, and equitable workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5TR)
• Knowledge of American Counseling Association Code of Ethics
• Knowledge of common mental health issues and contributing risk factors, especially those specific to first responders
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of the GCES policies and procedures related to employee wellness
• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Knowledge of emergency services operations and pre-hospital medical care
• Knowledge of critical incident stress management
• Skills in effective verbal and written communication
• Skills in psychosocial behavioral health intervention and coping mechanisms
• Skills in defusing and crisis management techniques
• Skills in project development and evaluation
• Skills in data analysis and problem solving
• Skills in public speaking
• Ability to maintain composure during emotionally charged and stressful situations
• Ability to manage sensitive information
• Ability to design and deliver effective training programs
• Ability to lead and coordinate teams of people
• Ability to relate authentically to first responders
• Ability to effectively set priorities while working on multiple projects
• Ability to collaborate with allied agencies and community partners

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Social Work, or a related human services field AND one of the following:

• At least two years of experience as a mental health professional AND two years of emergency services experience at the EMT level or higher, OR
  • At least five years of EMS field experience, preferable at the Paramedic level, OR
  • At least five years of experience as a mental health professional.

License/Certification:

• Certification or licensure as a National Certified Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Psychologist in the state of NC or be eligible for reciprocity prior to hire.
• Valid NC Driver’s License prior to hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• EMS field experience in a 911 system, preferably at the EMT-Paramedic level
• Expertise or training in first responder mental health
• Trauma-informed counseling experience
• Doctoral degree in a related field

Physical Demands and Work Conditions:

• Requires performing job duties in a normal office environment and interacting with public safety personnel in a multitude of environments, including public safety facilities, hospitals, and field environment.
• Requires performing job duties at major incidents at the request of command level staff.
• Recurring focused accurate listening skills for prolonged periods of time.
• Mental concentration is required for accurate understanding & interpretation.
• Requires mental and emotional capacity to maintain a pressured, flexible pace that is placed on the working environment by fiscal, productivity, documentation, accreditation standards as well as the service demands of a population of sometimes complex and high need/risk clients.

Driving is Essential:

• Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the county’s driving criteria.
• If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy.

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legally defensible personnel decisions.