Behavioral Health Crisis Response Clinician

It's a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:
June 15, 2026

Compensation Details:
Full Pay Range

83,616.00 - 121,118.40

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Benefit Eligibility Group:
Non Union (30+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:
Under general supervision, the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Clinician responds with police or other Behavioral Health Crisis Response Team staff to 911 or police non-emergency line calls with a behavioral health component. The clinicians provide crisis intervention, assessment, de-escalation, and referral to services. They are part of the City of Boulder's Behavioral Health Crisis Response Team (BHCRT), which provides both co-response with Boulder Police Department and alternative response with other BHCRT staff. Clinicians co-respond on calls for service that involve more dynamic situations, while an alternative response can occur for lower acuity calls.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides in-person response to situations involving behavioral health concerns or crisis in a variety of community settings via Boulder Police & Fire dispatch, including homes, businesses, street corners, parks, congregate living facilities, and shelters.
• Conducts clinical interventions, including mental status exams, suicide and risk assessments to address presenting crisis and determine if people in distress meet criteria for involuntary treatment. Prepares mental health holds and other legal documents as needed.
• Makes appropriate level of care decisions on scene and communicates, collaborates, and creates relationships with multiple collateral agencies, including schools, hospitals, family members and significant others to facilitate referrals for needed community-based services and treatment.
• Provides telephone or in person follow ups with community members in order to connect them to behavioral health care and other resources in the community.
• Participates in clinical supervision and team meetings according to team policies.
• Documents all contacts according to team policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to communicate ideas clearly in written or spoken form, particularly as it applies to documentation, care coordination, and in crisis situations. Completes work in a timely and consistent manner in accordance with team policies.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively with the public and colleagues.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional regulation during responses to 911 calls that may involve highly distressed or antagonistic individuals and manage secondary trauma related to crisis work.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of major mental illness, personality disorders, neurocognitive disorders, complex trauma, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning, crisis de-escalation, trauma informed care, harm reduction, criteria for involuntary behavioral health care according to Colorado statute, and impact of involuntary treatment.
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and the records management systems used by the team.
• Ability to practice within applicable laws and ethics with a demonstrated skill in acting with integrity as a steward of public resources and as a professional working in the involuntary treatment system. Demonstrated skill in applying ethical principles to complex problems.
• Ability to support change with flexibility and grace.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals in crisis situations.
• Skill in listening to concerns and ideas of colleagues and community members.
• Skill in making rapid, accurate diagnostic assessments, including some ability to distinguish between psychosis due to mental illness vs substance use.
• Valid Driver's License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record. Must have a working motor vehicle.
• Meet and maintain the requirements of applicable federal, state, and organizational background checks, including the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check.
• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to communicate fluently in English and Spanish.
• Ability to demonstrate related behavioral health experience as a mobile crisis clinician, co-responder, crisis clinician doing level of care assessments, or other modality working with an acute population in a high intensity environment.
• Knowledge of and prior experience working and collaborating with EMS, police and/or fire personnel.
• Knowledge of and prior experience working with or in Boulder area behavioral health treatment systems and supportive services.
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in addition to primary licensure.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in crisis intervention, suicide and risk assessment, verbal de-escalation, and differential diagnosis working with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, substance use, and other at-risk populations.
• Licensed in Colorado, or ability to be licensed in Colorado within twelve (12) months of hire, as LPC, LAC, LMFT, LCSW or LP.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received : Behavioral Health Crisis Response Supervising Clinician

Supervision Exercised : None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Physical & Mental Effort : Work requires visual and physical capabilities to work on computers, radios, and associated equipment on a regular basis, as well as the ability to work in and respond to dynamic crisis situations in novel community-based environments.
• Work Environment : Work is generally performed in both a traditional office environment and a community setting. Work requires ability to work closely with others, with frequent interruptions and background noise, under sometimes adversarial conditions including crises related to mental health and substance use disorders. BHCRT operates seven (7) days per week including evening hours. Will be trained on and use scene safety (defensive tactics) training tools to maintain physical safety amidst 911 emergencies (often in unpredictable environments). The city provides personal protective equipment for clinicians. Attendance at meetings outside of regular schedule may be required to perform the duties and responsibilities associated with position. Often works off site and in the community in a variety of environments including businesses, homes, emergency rooms, community partners, parks, greenways etc.
• Machines and Equipment Used : City vehicles are provided for program use. However, if multiple calls or meetings are in progress simultaneously and city vehicles are not available, clinicians will travel to the service site in their own vehicles and be reimbursed for mileage. Frequently uses standard office equipment including computers, telephones, and copy/fax machines as well as two-way radios.

As part of the City of Boulder's commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person's race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city's policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy.