Mobile Response/Call Diversion Crisis Counselor

This position is part of a 2-year pilot program with Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill. This position is primarily dedicated to serving on the Mobile Crisis and Crisis Call Diversion pilot that will also include a Peer Support Specialist and a Community EMT. The purpose of this position is to provide immediate crisis intervention and support services to persons with the goal of promoting overall stability and minimizing interactions with law enforcement, emergency mental health hospitalization, and incarceration. This is accomplished by providing remote or on-scene response and incident follow-up. The team will respond remotely and/or in person to behavioral health emergencies that do not require a law enforcement response.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

Triage, assess, and respond remotely to behavioral and mental health, substance use, and intellectual developmental disability related calls that are non-emergent and can be resolved over the phone.

Evaluate crisis telephone calls and determine the type of response needed including field-based crisis intervention, phone counseling and/or consultation, information sharing, follow-up, and/or referral.

Respond with a team, that also includes a community EMT and a peer support specialist, to behavioral health calls that do not require a law enforcement response.

Provide follow-up contact with appropriate parties once situation is stabilized. Must be willing to deliver services in varying environments such as homes, schools, jails, homeless shelters, campsites, and various community locations.

Conduct mental health, well-being and traumatic stress response assessments. Assess risk and potential lethality to victims and/or during psychiatric emergencies. Provide short-term counseling and support during crisis response. Conduct safety planning and assist in developing risk mitigation strategies for individuals, schools and other community agencies.

Interpret needs through a person-centered, trauma informed and intersectional approach.

Respond to concerns from citizens, other town employees, or human service agencies regarding individuals needing services for stabilization.

Receive requests for services from individuals or human service agencies, providing short-term counseling service and assisting in determining an appropriate resolution.

Provide external and internal training on Crisis related issues. Assist with the development and delivery of community programming.

Participate in community outreach and engagement activities.

Ensure up-to-date knowledge and methods of profession by attending and participating in training, participating with clinical and administrative supervision, and other staff developmental activities; and provides input to department procedures and operations.

Provide mutual aid to assist other law enforcement, court, schools and victim service agencies as appropriate.

Act as a liaison between the Police Department and other service agencies such as local mental health agencies and hospitals, social and human services agencies, emergency service providers, civic and community groups and court personnel.

Collaborate with other community resources for referrals, information sharing and continuity of care.

Initiate, complete, and maintain accurate program records and documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.

Work on-call as a part of the crisis team rotation. On-call response can include responses to emergency calls with officers to emotionally stabilize persons and link them with community resources.

Perform other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised

None

Physical Demands

The work requires long periods of standing and walking with intermittent periods of sitting at a desk or table. May require hiking and walking in areas of uneven surfaces.

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of standing, sitting, walking, reaching, talking, hearing, typing and repetitive motions of the hands and wrists.
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Ability to perform sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Must possess the visual acuity to operate a 9-1-1 system and related technology, prepare and analyze data and figures, perform transcription and extensive reading and work on a computer terminal. ?
Must be able to perform job tasks under high-stress conditions within the work environment, including but not be limited to, hearing critical life-threatening information that endangers a caller and responders to the calls for service.
Employee may be subjected to loud noises sufficient to require shouting to be heard.
Employee may be subjected to potentially infectious viruses/bacteria during cold and flu season due to constant handling of equipment by multiple persons.

Work Environment

This is a field-based crisis response position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's degree in a Human Service's related field (i.e. Social work, psychology, counseling, etc.) or other program of study directly related to the occupational field.

Minimum of 3 years of crisis related experience.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of community-based behavioral health principles and psychotherapeutic treatment techniques
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of crisis intervention methods and techniques
• Strong understanding of best practices relating to duties of the position and the ability to work independently, making sound decisions based on best practices, laws, policies, and procedures.
• Proficiency in and commitment to multicultural competence and experience working with individuals from culturally diverse populations, including underrepresented and/or underserved populations.
• Ability to participate in an on-call rotation which includes some weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work a rotating schedule, as needed, which includes some days, evenings, and nights.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, community members, and supervisors.
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility.
• Model behavior that is consistent with our town values of RESPECT.
• Utilize a computer and various word processing and database software applications.

EDUCATION:

A Bachelor's degree, Master's preferred, in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or other program of study directly related to the occupational field or equivalent education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

At least three years of professional work experience within the social service/human service field with experience in crisis work.

CERTIFICATION:

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver's license issued by the state of NC.

This classification has been designated as Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

The position is driving essential and must conform to the Town's Safe Driving and Accident Policy and procedures.

This position is also a safety sensitive position and subject to the Town's Drug and Alcohol Policy and procedures.

Grade: 112
Employment Type: TIME LIMITED DUE TO FUNDING less than 3 years