Safety Stabilization Crisis Worker

Dakota County, Minnesota; Hastings (MN); On-site; USD 74,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Flexible spending accounts

Paid time off

Pension – PERA

Telework occasionally

Parental leave

Wellness program

Job summary

Dakota County, Minnesota is hiring a Safety Stabilization Crisis Worker for the Juvenile Services Center in Hastings. The role focuses on deescalation, safety planning, and crisis intervention without physical holds, operating on a rotating schedule and within the Safety Stabilization Program.

Preferred candidate will have a social services background, at least 21, and a valid driver's license with First Aid/CPR within six months. Competitive benefits accompany the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology or human services.
• One year of full-time professional experience or two years para-professional experience in social services.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis assessment and intervention for youth in crisis.
• Deescalate and process with residents in crisis and escalating situations.
• Develop crisis and stabilization plans with youth, teaching calming techniques.
• Collaborate with supervisory mental health professionals and family members with authorization.
• Facilitate safety stabilization reintegration plans with residents.
• Supervise and facilitate programming for residents on special programming status.
• Evaluate and assess youth removed from group programming for safety reasons.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in social work

One year of professional experience

Two years para-professional experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology or human services

Job description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
HOURS: Rotating Schedule including EO Weekend
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $73,515- $82,705 /year (grade 108)
FULL SALARY RANGE: $73,515- $114,868 /year
LOCATION: Hastings JSC
UNION: AFSCME 450
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 10/29/2026

This job works within the Safety Stabilization Program located on the Juvenile Services Center campus in Hastings MN. The Safety Stabilization Crisis Worker is responsible for consistently maintaining the safety and security of the JSC to include supporting and guiding clients throughout the day, utilizing deescalation techniques, developing safety plans, facilitating groups and providing crisis intervention when needed. This position will focus on deescalation and will not partake in physical holds of residents.

NEED TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology or human services AND
• One year of full-time professional experience OR two years of para-professional experience in a social services agency.

NOTE

• Candidate must be at least 21 years of age.
• Pursuant to the Dakota County Policy and Procedures Manual, this position is designated as Safety Sensitive*.

Required Licenses

• Valid driver's license
• First Aid/CPR certificate within six months of hire (training provided by the facility)

NICE TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in social work or psychology with licensure.
• Experience working with children and families providing brief, solution-focused intervention and crisis management.
• Knowledge and experience with person-centered strategies.
• Experience providing therapy or crisis services to adults, adolescents, children and/or their families.
• Experience conducting mental health screenings.
• Experience handling mental health crisis situations, including diagnosis and treatment of clients in crisis.

*Pursuant to Dakota County Policy, this position is designated as Safety Sensitive. Safety-sensitive position means a position, including any supervisory or management position, in which impairment caused by drug, alcohol, or cannabis use would threaten the health and safety of any person as defined in Minnesota Statutes Section 181.950, subdivision 13.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Provide crisis assessment and intervention.
2. Deescalate and process with residents in crisis and escalating situations.
3. Develop crisis and stabilization plans with youth in crisis and prior to crisis situations. This includes teaching youth calming and regulation skills and techniques.
4. Collaborate and consult with supervisory mental health professionals, colleagues, case managers and family members with appropriate authorization.
5. Facilitate safety stabilization reintegration plans with residents.
6. Supervise and facilitate programming for residents on special programming status, including youth on one-to-one staff-to-resident programming status.
7. Evaluate and assess youth who are removed from group programming for safety reasons and determine their readiness to safely reintegrate.
8. Intervene with youth prior to escalation and crisis with the goal of enabling the youth to remain in group programming.
9. Practice and enforce state law and Department of Corrections licensing standards within the facility.
10. Document client activity, behavior, collateral communications and well-being checks using the facility case management system.
11. Support the overall day-to-day functions of the JSC, which might include being assigned to other work duties.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and experience working with clients with mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of human development and family dynamics and systems, including crisis management and cultural humility.
• Knowledge of statutes, rules, policies and evidence-based best practices pertaining to juvenile detention and crisis work, and the ability to research the same. Examples:
  • The Juvenile Standards outlined in the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
  • The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI).
  • EBP in community corrections including risk assessment, motivational interviewing, professional alliance, and cognitive interventions.
  • Data privacy laws, rules and practices and the ability to apply them appropriately.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system in Minnesota, working knowledge of the functions of its component parts and the laws and court procedures in adult and juvenile court.
• Ability to apply laws, regulations, rules, and departmental policies and procedures to assigned duties.
• Ability to use rewards, reinforcements and interventions appropriately with juveniles, and to be fair and understanding while being firm and consistent.
• Knowledge, experience and skill facilitating group discussions and programs.
• Ability to make sound decisions when experiencing stress, while abiding by departmental and state policies and guidelines (including the ability to use deescalation skills to resolve conflicts).
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to accomplish tasks, to plan and to resolve problems.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in group and individual settings.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage time well and to complete tasks on schedule.
• Ability and willingness to adapt to change, to support organizational change, and the desire to acquire new skills and develop professionally.
• Ability to use computers and to learn various database systems including CSTS, CSIR, MNCIS, Statewide Supervision System, CJINN and others.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.

At six months, candidates are expected to

• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles, techniques and best practices for providing trauma-informed interventions with youth in juvenile facilities.
• Demonstrate skill in conceptualizing client needs and translating them into specific plans based on those needs.
• Demonstrate ability to anticipate harmful behavior and to deescalate situations.
• Provide positive encouragement and incentives to residents in a consistent manner.
• Safely supervise youth in a group setting or individually.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Work is performed in a Dakota County office building, Juvenile Detention Center, in the community, client's home, school, etc. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, and vibrations; hazardous materials such as chemicals, blood, and other body fluids; and exposure to intense noise may occur. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, scanner, printer, calculator, telephone, BCA, breathalyzer, EHM equipment, Dictaphone, UA collection materials, pager, CSTS, MNCIS, camera and copy machines.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Flexible spending accounts
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
  • Carry over unused flex year to year
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution-PERA Pension
• Telework may occasionally be available
• Three weeks paid parental leave
• Comprehensive wellness program – peer support team, on-site fitness center, annual wellness check-in, and employee assistance program