Emergency Services Mental Health Coordinator

Guilford County; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Employee Wellness Center

Employee Assistance Program

13 paid holidays

401(k)

Job summary

Guilford County Government is seeking a Mental Health Coordinator for Emergency Services to develop and deliver wellness initiatives, provide individual support, and advise leadership on employee wellbeing. You will train the Peer Support Team and coordinate responses to critical incidents.

The role emphasizes confidentiality, ethical practice, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners to promote a resilient, healthy workplace for first responders and county staff.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or related field with licensure eligibility.
• Two years mental health experience plus two years EMS experience (or five years EMS/mental health).
• Knowledge of ethics, confidentiality, and emergency services policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one behavioral health interventions for GCES staff.
• Lead and train the Peer Support Program and coordinate callouts as needed.
• Develop and deliver psycho-educational programs for employees and leadership.
• Consult agency leadership on wellbeing matters and refer to advanced care when needed.
• Collaborate with external clinicians and agencies for high-impact events.

Skills

DSM-5-TR knowledge

Ethics knowledge

Mental health consultation

Crisis management

Public speaking

Training & coaching

Team leadership

Collaboration with agencies

Data analysis

Confidentiality handling

Education

Master's Degree in Counseling or Social Work

Job description

GUILFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Quality Government

Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

This role provides mental health support and crisis intervention, as well as the developing and delivering wellness initiatives to ensure the psychological well-being of 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. The ES Mental Health Coordinator must be able to lead in a manner that is consistent with GCES’s values and standards of behavior, serving as both a resource and mentor for employees at 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

• 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

Typical Qualifications

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, preferably 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

Supplemental Information

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.

Guilford County is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to employees and applicants for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or political affiliation. The County is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws that pertain to employment, and to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination of any kind. If you need an auxiliary aide, make the request forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the time the accommodation is needed by calling 336-641-3324.

We are excited about the opportunity of having you as a prospective new employee! You probably already know our county is a wonderful county to live in, but did you know it is also a wonderful place to work?

Below are a few of the reasons why we love working for Guilford County. We offer Health Insurance (UnitedHealthCare) to all benefitted employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week. The shared cost of the premium is based on scheduled/budgeted hours. If you are a full-time employee working 40 hours a week you can expect to pay less than $35 a month for medical coverage, dental coverage for $4 a month and vision coverage for $5 a month. That's less than $45 a month for medical, dental & vision coverage; that's unheard of.
Telehealth UHC Virtual Visits are available to you with no copay or out of pocket expense.
We are excited to inform you Guilford County has a Employee Wellness Center (24/7 access) with strength training equipment, cardio machines and a group exercise room with virtual or in person coaching from our Wellness Specialist!
Employee Assistance Program, 100% funded by the county. A superb benefit for you and your family absolutely free. Confidential help with personal or work-related issues.
13 paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 12 vacation days a year. That's 37 paid days a year, totaling almost 2 months of paid time off.
Employer contributes 5% into your 401(k) - no match required.
Enrollment in the State Retirement Plan by contributing 6%.
Longevity pay beginning at five years of service.
We provide a $10,000 Life and AD&D benefit to eligible employees.
Flexible spending accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside tax-free dollars for health care and dependent care.
Voluntary Life, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.