Co-Responder Supervisor

TITLE:                        Co-Responder Supervisor

DEPARTMENT:         Airway Heights Police Department

REPORTS TO:           Chief of Police

SUPERVISES:              Co-Responders

SALARY:                        $103,396.80 – 111,758.40, exempt employee. Temporary grant funded position: employment not                                                 guaranteed beyond grant period of June 30, 2027.   
  

*Candidates for this position will need to undergo an integrity interview, polygraph, background investigation, and provide a personal history statement.  

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The Airway Heights Police Department received a Mental Health Field Response grant through state funding. This position is grant funded through June 30, 2027. If continued grant funding is secured beyond June 30, 2027, this position will be required to reapply under the new grant funding.

The primary goal of Co-Responder Units is to improve mental health response and diversion from incarceration through embedding a mental health professional within the Airway Heights and Cheney Police Departments to better serve the residents of the West Plains.

The Co-Responder Program Supervisor will be paired with a police officer to assist individuals with mental health, substance use, homelessness, and other social service needs. The Co-Responder Supervisor will respond with a police officer to calls for service that involve behavioral health issues, social services deficits, and have an intersection with public safety/crisis response.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Co-Responder Program Supervisor will oversee a team of Co-Responders that are intended to bridge the gap between law enforcement, emergency medical response, and/or the social service needs of people within this population. The Co-Responder Supervisor will be a hybrid position of both field outreach/response and office duties.  This position will assist in implementing the West Plains Crisis Response Team to be an integral piece of the Airway Heights and Cheney Police Departments. 

The Co-Responder Supervisor will assist in developing policies and procedures and supervising co-responders to ensure the mission and objectives of the West Plains Crisis Response Team are met. Co-Responders and the Co-Responder Supervisor will not provide healthcare services to community contacts or provide ongoing case management services.

JOB DUTIES

• Create policies and procedures that align with the Airway Heights Police Department and the mission and objectives of the West Plains Crisis Response Team


• Act as a liaison between Airway Heights and Cheney Police administration and the co-responders


• Facilitate the coordination of program services between law enforcement and behavioral health agencies.


• Evaluate the public service needs of diverse communities and incorporate a culturally responsive mindset to the design and implementation of program resources.


• Establish measures of success and acceptance criteria


• Coordinates with Grants & Community Initiatives Director for expediting workflow and preparing reimbursement invoices and grant reports.


• Reviews and codes receipts and invoices to ensure timely submission and compliance for grant reimbursements.


• Support Co-Responders with clinical guidance


• Assist in scheduling, organizing, and leading clinical staffing for internal programs.


• Complete regular chart reviews to ensure documentation practices are in compliance with policies and procedures


• Schedule and participate in yearly Co-Responder evaluations to identify areas of success and growth


• Participate in leadership meetings with other appropriate entities to identify program successes and focus of future goals


• Co-respond with officers to calls for service involving behavioral health issues, social services deficits, and intersection with public safety/crisis response


• Provide emergency crisis care, triage assessment, and service referrals.


• Determine appropriate service delivery agencies, follow up on service connections, and evaluate and modify treatment service referrals as needed.


• Document all treatment referral methods, including direct services, community member-related activities, and follow-up contact; initiate, respond to, and maintain written and oral contact with appropriate parties.


• Participate in an advisory capacity for case management and case consultation with representatives from internal and external agencies.


• Serve as an advocate for community members in obtaining appropriate treatment and continuity of care.


• Identify and establish working relationships with community resources, establish referral protocols, and act as liaison between clients and those resources as needed.


• Collaborate with other Co-Responder Units across Spokane County in the competency restoration process so they can monitor which process the individual is involved in to divert them from further criminal justice involvement.  

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a mental health professional


• Four (4) years of experience in a behavioral health setting required


• Two (2) years of Co-Response experience required


• Experience working with Law Enforcement preferred


• Must pass a Background Check

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with program stakeholders and leadership


• Support other program staff in clinical decision making


• Conduct on-scene mental health assessments and crisis interventions in high-pressure situations.


• Utilize de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care approaches to support individuals in crisis.


• Collaborate effectively with law enforcement officers to determine appropriate responses to behavioral health-related calls.


• Assess risk factors related to self-harm, harm to others, and overall public safety while balancing therapeutic interventions.


• Provide immediate stabilization, crisis triage, and linkage to community-based behavioral health services.


• Maintain clear, accurate, and timely documentation of crisis interventions, and service referrals.


• Work independently in unpredictable and fast-paced environments while adhering to law enforcement protocols and mental health best practices.


• Educate officers and community members about behavioral health, crisis response strategies, and available resources.


• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPPA, state laws, and departmental policies.


• Navigate cultural, socioeconomic, and individual differences with empathy, sensitivity, and respect.


• Adapt to a flexible work schedule and varying crisis response scenarios.
  
  

Education/Licenses/Certifications:

• Master's degree in psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field required


• Must be licensed in Washington State with a LMFT, LMCH, LICSW, or equivalent. 


• Associate licensed candidates will be considered if hours have been met and application is in progress


• Current Washington Driver's License and reliable transportation

BENEFITS 

Qualified employees are eligible for benefits the first of the month after hire date.

• Medical, dental, vision, and Aflac


• Retirement through the Department of Retirement Systems


• HRA VEBA account


• Group Life Insurance


• PTO including vacation, sick time, paid holidays, and personal holidays

MEMBERSHIPS

• The City of Airway Heights offers a free annual family membership to the Airway Heights Recreation Center


• This position is not represented by a union

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full-time position, 40 hours per week


• Regular working hours may vary


• This position is exempt from overtime