Co-Responder

Description

POSITION PURPOSE:

The position of Co-Responder for is responsible for providing diverse proficient mental health crisis intervention and outreach to individuals, couples, and groups in Pottawatomie County through an ongoing partnership between Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department and Pottawatomie County Health Department. This position requires a flexible schedule for calls pertaining to high distress individuals, provides consultation for community based interventions and mental health and/or substance abuse related assessments of individuals who come in contact with law enforcement and Health Department. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Conducts comprehensive assessments; identifies individual needs and substance use and/or mental health disorders; interprets and communicates relevant information to individuals, families and other necessary parties.
2. Provide joint response in the field, under stress and in a high stake environments, to deescalate situations and communicate effectively with law enforcement. Must have the physical capacity to respond to calls at any location.
3. Assist with mental health needs of inmates at the Pottawatomie County Jail and assist with connecting inmates to mental health and substance use services in the community as needed. 
4. Conduct Community Needs Assessments:
5. Gather data through interviews and data analysis to conduct a community needs assessment in Pottawatomie County around drug endangered children using National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children resources and toolkits.
6. Build and maintain relationships with various sponsors, including community organization, government agencies, businesses, and residents.
7. Organize and facilitate regular meetings, trainings, and forums around drug endangered children to engage sponsors in collaborative problem-solving.
8. Foster cooperation and consensus among parties to address community needs effectively.
9. Policy/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Development:
10. Work with the necessary parties to develop and implement evidence-based policies and initiatives that address identified community needs. 
11. Research best practices, laws, and regulations relevant to the community’s concerns. 
12. Draft memorandum of understands to protect all children in drug endangered environments and advocate for their adoption by collaborating parties.
13. Develop complex treatment and intervention plans to address the clinical needs of individuals in areas of focus; collaborates with other community agencies to address immediate individual needs; encourages the establishment and maintenance of support systems; collaborates with other providers in the development and review of plans. 
14. Attends individual and/or group meetings to provide services and skill development in a community base setting; responds to crisis related requests from individuals and/or agencies and arranges for appropriate care/services.
15. Completes and submits documentation regarding services provided.
16. Facilitates training with local law enforcement and Health Department regarding the co-responder role and other mental health topics.
17. Assist in grant processes to include data collection, reports, conferences and relevant training.
18. Reliable and dependable attendance mandatory.
19. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, and be able to operate legally a motor vehicle. Position requires a clean driving record.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling or a closely related field preferred. 

Licensed by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board of the State of Kansas and one year experience in the area of focus is preferred. Strong oral and written communication skills using the English language. Basic personal computer skills.

Employee must be able to meet Kansas Criminal Justice Information System requirements and will be required to complete a background check; including fingerprinting, name base records check and annual name based records check. Along with drug screening in accordance with Pottawatomie County policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent communication skills including written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Possess the skills required to perform the job and understand the job functions and its requirement to meet deadlines.
• Ability to deal with sensitive information in a discreet manner and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to be effective, efficient, and courteous while interacting with people seeking assistance.
• Ability to utilize various computer systems and programs properly.

SUPERVISION/ACCOUNTABLILITY:

• Works with little to no direct supervision most of the time. This position does not directly supervise others. 
• Maintains continuing education to ensure knowledge and understanding of current work. 

PERSONAL RELATIONS:

Personal contacts are with office staff, department heads, employees and the general public daily. Also interacts with representatives of local, county, and state government, and private organizations. 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to apply basic math skills, exposed to blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases, hazardous material, overtime work and drive for company business. Other frequent duties include but are not limited to stand, walk, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents including policies, compliance documents, laws and regulations, and other directives. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to read, write, and interpret written and verbal communication by email, phone, and in-person effectively.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and Health Department’s goal of the position is to decrease admissions to jail, emergency rooms and inpatient psychiatric units.  

Challenges of this position are maintaining pleasant business relations while having extensive contact by phone and in person.