Mental Health Professional (Ord. Title: Community Crisis Responder II)

Seattle Police Department; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

The Seattle Police Department is seeking two Mental Health Providers to join the Crisis Response Team and respond co-operatively with Seattle Police Officers on 9-1-1 calls. The role emphasizes de-escalation, risk assessment, and collaborative action in both emergency and non-emergency contexts.

Positions are 40 hours per week on a 4-10 schedule, with potential overtime. Providers will wear department ballistic vests during responses and coordinate with multiple community partners to ensure

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field.
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker or equivalent (WA DOH) license required.

Responsibilities

• Co-Respond with sworn officer-partner on active 9-1-1 calls as part of the SPD Crisis Response Team.
• Interact with individuals in acute/chronic behavioral health crises; de-escalate and assess risk to determine best actions.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Crisis assessment

Community coordination

Education

Master’s degree in social work or psychology

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker or equivalent (WA DOH)

Job description

Position Description

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is seeking two (2) Mental Health Providers to provide first line behavioral health response to Seattle 9-1-1 calls. The department seeks to enhance public safety through expanding the Crisis Response Team’s co-response model which will provide Mental Health Professionals partnered with Seattle Police Officers to respond to people experiencing mental health crises or quality of life concerns for emergency and non-emergency responses. The team currently operates during a 12-hour period, from 6 am to 6 pm, five days a week. Mental Health Providers will be scheduled for 40 hours a week, working the 4-10 schedule (10 hours days, 4 days a week) with the potential to work overtime. Mental Health Providers will partner directly with law enforcement officers, responding in patrol vehicles to 911 calls. Mental Health Providers will be expected to wear a department issued ballistic vest during 911 responses.

About The Department

The Seattle Police Department is comprised of approximately 1,600 dedicated law enforcement professionals all committed to creating and fostering a work environment that is collaborative, innovative, and leading the way in law enforcement principles and practices. Ours is a culture that encourages top performers to adhere to a standard of excellence in the identification of and resolution to complex challenges. At SPD we acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.

Job Responsibilities

• Co-Respond with their sworn officer-partner to active 9-1-1 calls as members of the SPD Crisis Response Team. Calls widely vary from low acuity crises to high acuity priority 1 calls, potentially involving high risk and/or weapons.


• Work directly with individuals experiencing acute and/or chronic behavioral health crises, working to build rapport, de-escalate, evaluate, assess for risk, and determine the best course of action, balancing individual autonomy and community safety.


• Support and promote alternatives to jail and hospitalization when appropriate, to stabilize and improve the outcomes for community members experiencing behavioral health crises.


• Collaborate with community partners, including Designated Crisis Responders, FBI, Mental Health Court, Seattle Fire Department, Department of Corrections, community mental health agencies, shelters, housing programs, other law-enforcement agencies, schools, and hospitals to ensure continuity of care.


• Collaboratively work with other Community Crisis Responders, Mental Health Providers, Clinical Supervisors, and Department Leadership to determine client eligibility for programs and to authorize and/or recommend appropriate services.


• Support families impacted by behavioral health challenges, offering guidance, support and connection to services.


• Develop and implement individual response plans, coordinate services, and conduct follow-up outreach and safety planning for individuals who present with complex needs and/or high utilization of emergency services.


• Develop and confidentially maintain case files, complete documentation in a timely manner, and manage multiple cases at once.


• Complete the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management processes on individuals who present with behavioral health conditions and exhibit risk factors for violent behavior.


• Prepare written status reports or case management notes, document interviews, observations, and recommendations in a database, in compliance with HIPAA and department policy and ethical standards.


• Assist with the investigation and service of Extreme Risk Protection Orders.


• Fulfill auxiliary roles as assigned, such as supporting other SPD units or community entities in special projects with a crisis nexus.


• Lead, coordinate, and provide support in key administrative functional areas of the Mental Health Provider Program.


• Support the learning and training of practicum students.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
A master’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field and two years of experience working with individuals with mental, behavioral, and/or emotional health concerns (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work collaboratively in teams with other co-responders and directly partner with law enforcement within a police-culture environment.


• Effective communication skills, including written, active listening, and non-verbal communication.


• Effective skills in case investigation and management, evaluation of facts/circumstances, and clients and crisis management.


• High cultural and emotional intelligence. Strong commitment to dignity and respect for all people.


• Thrive in dynamic situations with strong situational awareness.


• Self-motivated in managing workload.


• Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management knowledge or interest.


• Additional language (multilingual) proficiency other than English.


• Contribute to the advancement and innovation of the co-response model, and the integration of clinicians in first response.


• Flexibility and willingness to change as the unit evolves.

Position Requirements

• Licensing from the Washington State Department of Health such as Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker or equivalency.


• Must pass a Seattle Police Department background investigation.


• Must have a valid Driver’s license.


• Required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.


• Required to work rotating shifts.


• Required to be exposed to adverse weather conditions.


• Exposed to toxic / hazardous / biohazard substances.


• Required to operate automotive vehicles.


• Required to lift up to 50 pounds.


• Work involves sensitive contact with people who are in crisis and/or may be utilizing substances.

Additional Information

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

The full salary range for this position is $53.14 - $61.96 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $53.14 hourly. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) regular position with full benefits. This is a Civil Service position eligible for overtime.