Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist

Why Minnetonka?

Supportive culture • Work-life fit• Well-being • Employee-focused • Make a difference Our greatest asset are our people. City of Minnetonka employees work together to drive change and make a meaningful impact on the community. We support one another in our personal and professional lives. You can expect to make a difference because in Minnetonka you and your work matter.

Job Description

Provide resource coordination and short-term case management services for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges who are referred following contact with the Police or Fire department. This position is primarily performed onsite, located at the Minnetonka Police Department (14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 5534) and requires travel throughout Minnetonka and, at times, other areas of Hennepin County. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend hours for community engagement events. This position is funded through a grant and is currently authorized for a two-year term. Continued employment beyond the grant period is contingent upon future funding and organizational needs.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Conduct follow-up outreach to individuals and families identified through the Minnetonka Police or Fire Department who could benefit from behavioral health or social service interventions, including therapy referrals, basic needs assistance, housing, substance use treatment, transportation or other supports.
• Maintain a select caseload for short-term case management where there is a need for specialized, continuing support, or where connection to county case management is not available.
• Provide services to individuals and families where a member has mental, emotional, or physical disabilities, as well as those experiencing complex social or financial struggles. Services will be provided over the phone or in person at either the Minnetonka Police Department or in the community.
• Maintain regular communication with individuals, treatment providers, and partner agencies as necessary to support successful service engagement.
• Work closely with the department's social worker to ensure continuity of care and coordinated service delivery.
• Maintain case records and documentation within the department's records management system in accordance with Minnesota Data Practices requirements and department policy.
• Participate in multidisciplinary community support meetings and consult with internal and external partners as needed.
• Review adult protection reports received by the Police or Fire Department and offer support or resources as appropriate.
• Provide outreach and resources to individuals identified by the Minnetonka Fire Department as having excessive emergency response calls for lift assists or medical services.
• Assist with grant reporting including maintaining necessary case referral and outcome data.
• Complete ongoing professional development through attending training and/or conferences to remain current on relevant best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• This position performs work in office, community, residential and field environments.
• Duties require travel throughout the community, occasional evening or weekend work, and frequent interaction with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, substance use, and housing instability.
• The position requires the ability to safely conduct home and community visits independently

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in social work, human services, criminal justice or related field.
• Three years of experience providing direct support to individuals with mental health, substance use, housing or other basic needs resources.
• Experience with community resource coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Experience effectively interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Valid Minnesota driver's license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Network Certification and pass the CJIS Competency Exam. Annual certification is required to continue employment.
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required to travel within the metro area to meet with individuals in their homes and to perform authorized off-site work duties.

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice or a closely related field.
• Professional experience collaborating with law enforcement, emergency services, hospitals or crisis response programs.
• Completion of the MN Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
• Familiarity with Hennepin County behavioral health resources and community service providers.

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of:

• Behavioral health systems and community resources within Hennepin County which address mental health, substance use disorders, housing, and other basic needs.
• Mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Trauma-informed and person-centered approaches.
• Motivational interviewing, de-escalation techniques, and crisis intervention principles.
• Confidentiality requirements and applicable data privacy laws.
• Diversity of cultural and lifestyle experiences, beliefs, and practices.

Ability to:

• Establish good rapport and working relationships with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals including law enforcement and other internal and external partners.
• Effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Exercise sound judgment while working independently and use consultation when appropriate.
• Manage multiple cases simultaneously while maintaining accurate and timely documentation.
• Navigate complex service systems and advocate for clients effectively.
• Work effectively in a law enforcement environment, including riding with officers and working within a police facility.
• Remain calm and professional in the presence of uniformed officers, weapons and potentially high-stress or emotionally intense situations.
• Function in fast-paced, unpredictable, and challenging situations calling for sensitivity, flexibility, resourcefulness and independent judgment.

Occasional lifting up to 10 pounds; frequent sitting, speaking, hearing, and use of hands; and occasional standing, walking, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and repetitive motion. Standard vision and hearing are required. Work involves preparing and analyzing written or electronic information, operating standard office equipment and observing general surroundings and activities. The position may involve occasional exposure to environmental conditions and is generally performed in a moderately noisy environment.

Dates are subject to change.

Job Posting Opens - July 29th

Job Posting Closes - August 11th

Applications under review - August 12 - 15th

Round 1 Interviews - Week of August 17th

Round 2 Interviews - Week of August 24th (if needed)

Conditional Job Offer - August 31st

Backgrounds/Onboarding - September

Start Date - October

Not Sure You Meet All the Qualifications?

If this role interests you, but you're unsure about meeting all the listed requirements, we encourage you to apply! Your unique experiences may be more relevant than you think, and we value both technical skills and diverse perspectives.

How to Apply:

1. Click "Apply" at the top of the page before the closing date.
2. Submit these documents via the online application system (no zip files or links):
   • Resume
   • Cover Letter
3. Questions? Contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Hiring Process:

• Open Job Posting: Requisition is open and accepting applications.
• Selection Process: Qualified applicants join a candidate pool. Hiring managers select candidates for interviews and/or assessments. You'll be notified if selected.
• Pre-Employment Screening: This may include a driver's license, a criminal history background check, a drug test, a physical exam, a work assessment or simulation, and, if education-based, proof of qualifications.

Contact Us: For position-related questions, email Katie Xiong at View email address on click.appcast.io.

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