Crisis Intervention Specialist

Position Overview This position provides mandated mobile crisis services and is field-based. Current vacancies are in Ukiah and Fort Bragg. The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full‑time, and part-time positions throughout the County, should they occur. Employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. The position is field/community-based and responds to individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance-related crises across Mendocino County, including encampments, shelters, and other community locations. It may be part of a 24/7 on‑call response team. Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Responsibilities Provide crisis intervention response in lieu of law enforcement when community members are undergoing a behavioral health crisis; when appropriate, avoid using involuntary psychiatric hospitalization by providing alternative treatment resources. Participate in a rotating on‑call schedule to ensure 24/7 crisis response coverage, providing timely on‑site or remote support to individuals in crisis. Maintain a police radio and other communication equipment, perform routine checks and report issues to ensure operational readiness. Give advice on behavioral health-related service calls pertaining to Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 5150 and 5585. Serve as a liaison between the Police Department, other departments in the community, the public, and private community-based organizations that provide behavioral health, crisis intervention, and homeless and supportive housing services. Conduct assessments to determine the need for voluntary and involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines; document assessments and maintain statistics related to crisis services. Provide discharge planning, referrals, and follow‑up consultation to behavioral health treatment programs or facilities; provide case‑finding consultation, evaluation, and referral services. Consult with behavioral health and medical professionals, supervisors and staff regarding client status and disposition. Write chart notes in accordance with professional standards, state regulations, and department protocol, and ensure proper filing is submitted. Observe and document client behavior; assess client psychiatric and psychosocial needs and identify appropriate treatment goals and objectives. Develop lines of communication between the County and the community by explaining programs; provide information and advice to law enforcement agencies, community organizations and the public. Collaborate with families to help them navigate and cope with the client’s difficulties. Provide telephone crisis counseling for clients and crisis consultation for local agencies. Perform other related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Must meet California Code of Regulations Title IX, §630 requirements for a Rehabilitation Specialist. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience in a mental health setting, including at least one (1) year of experience in field‑based services as a specialist in mental health and substance use outreach. Up to two (2) years of graduate professional education may be substituted for the experience requirement on a year‑for‑year basis. Alternatively, up to two (2) years of post‑associate‑degree clinical experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree, in addition to the required four (4) years in a mental health setting. Licenses and Certifications Valid Driver’s License. 5150/5585 Certifications. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience applying a racial equity lens, including organizational assessments, practices or policies. Principles and practices of supporting individuals in crisis or dangerous situations. Understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and protocols of law enforcement and first responder agencies. Behavioral health terminology and psychiatric disorders, and applicable treatments. DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria. California Welfare & Institutions Code (5150, 5585) on involuntary behavioral health holds. Laws and regulations affecting the detention, counseling or referral of clients. Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques. Effects of alcohol and drugs. Available community resources and referral sources. Crisis intervention principles, methods, and techniques. Methods and techniques of individual, group, and family counseling. Medical chart documentation procedures. Various therapeutic models. Community resources, services, and organizations. Skills Exercising initiative, sound judgment, and independent decision‑making. De‑escalating and resolving conflict effectively. Counseling and adherence to established therapeutic processes and procedures. Performing case management. Working within deadlines, managing multiple assignments and setting appropriate priorities. Effectively communicating and coordinating with law enforcement and first responders in high‑pressure or emergency situations. Listening and communicating effectively; remaining calm under pressure; maintaining a friendly disposition. Applying principles and practices of program development, implementation and evaluation within a government or social service context. Managing sensitive information with discretion, diplomacy and compliance with privacy laws. Protecting client rights and providing advocacy for those with serious mental health or substance use conditions. Preparing detailed assessments and documentation and maintaining accurate client records in compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Mental and Physical Abilities Capable of working evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and on‑call during emergencies as needed. Ability to maintain the mental capacity necessary to exercise sound judgment and rational thinking in a variety of circumstances. Maintain effective audio‑visual discrimination and perception required to make accurate observations and judgments regarding client behavior. Requires the ability to exert physical effort in emergencies, and perform sedentary to light work involving movement between office areas. Effectively managing personal risk and responding quickly and calmly in emergencies. Capable of building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with public safety personnel to support joint operations and response efforts. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Dealing with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: stand, walk, sit; use hands to grip, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 30 pounds. Benefits Compensation is based on a five‑step salary range, with annual merit‑based increases within the salary range. Covered under Social Security and the 1937 Act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24‑48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon bargaining unit. Vacation accrues at two weeks per year for the first three years, three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years. Paid sick leave accrues at 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. The County and the employee share the cost of a selected health care plan; enrollment includes $20,000 life insurance. The County offers medical, dental, vision and life insurance; employee assistance program; employee wellness program; and labor contracts. Equal Opportunity Employer The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the E‑Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information provided on Form I‑9 will be used to verify authorization to work in the United States. #J-18808-Ljbffr COUNTY OF MENDOCINO