Mental Health Intervention Specialist bei City of Albany, OR

About the Department

The Albany Police Department is looking for a mental health intervention specialist to join our professional team.  The ideal candidate will have a passion for providing community outreach and crisis intervention to individuals suffering from a mental health crisis.  We are looking for someone who can lead with care and compassion while providing assessments and treatment referrals in the Albany community.  You will work directly with law enforcement officers to assist community members with actual or reported mental health, substance abuse, houseless, and/or other related quality of life issues.    

Salary Incentives:  The following shall be applied to base salary upon hire as applicable/assigned: 

3% incentive for Spanish Intermediate Level
5% incentive for Spanish Advanced Level

• Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with low monthly out-of-pocket cost. Currently, the employee-paid premium is approximately $56 per month for employee-only coverage up to a max of $140 per month for family coverage.  
• City-paid contribution to a VEBA Trust account for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.  Currently, the annual contribution is $1,000 for employee-only and $2,000 for employee plus dependent(s).
• Paid time off:
  • 18 hours of vacation leave per month, with progressive increases based on years of service. 
  • 8 hours of sick leave per month
• Excellent retirement benefits: 
  • City-paid participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (OPSRP and IAP) 
  • City-paid contribution (2.5%) into pre-tax deferred compensation plan 
• In addition, other benefits such as education reimbursement, employee assistance program, basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.

Position Duties

Engages in considerable proactive and reactive public contact in partnership with local law enforcement officers to perform a variety of public safety and community support services with both direct and indirect nexuses to law enforcement. Provides assessment and treatment services; crisis intervention and treatment services, including intensive services, to individuals with complex needs and diagnoses; and develops and implements specific services in the community. Coordinates mental health referrals, services, and consultations for a variety of individual needs.

The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification.  Any of the following duties may be performed.  These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform.

1. Works directly and/or indirectly with law enforcement officers to assess and assist community members with actual or reported mental health, substance abuse, houseless, and/or other related quality of life issues. Assess the social and medical service needs of these community members and works to obtain, coordinate, and deliver pertinent resources where necessary.
2. Works both independently and/or directly with law enforcement personnel to assess and assist the gap between law enforcement and the social and medical service needs of the community. 
3. Conducts mental health assessments in the field and utilizes their experience in working with persons in a variety of situations to provide assessment and intervention activities to people in crisis, including evaluating, developing, and coordinating mental health referral services.
4. Provides individuals experiencing mental health crisis with referrals to counseling services. Intervenes with presenting problems covering the full range of personal needs, including thoughts or plans of violence toward others.
5. Acts as a liaison between the individual and public safety and health agencies. 
6. Provides follow-up to individuals after initial assessment.
7. Advocates for client resources and access to a variety of services with a belief that every person has the right to define and pursue their own definition of recovery.
8. Serves as a member of the City’s mental health crisis team and coordinates meetings.
9. May be asked to provide information to local, county, and state legal or court entities and may be required to testify at court or other legal proceedings.
10. Designs, implements, and evaluates the utilization, effectiveness, and performance of mental health intervention programs to ensure the work is consistent with the City’s goals and remains compliant with local ordinances, along with state and federal codes, regulations, and laws.
11. Prepares associated reports and recommendations to improve programs and assist in the development of new programs, services, initiatives, and resources in the community.
12. Develops, coordinates, and conducts training for law enforcement and staff on the approaches for responding to and working with the aforementioned community members and various support services.

Leadership

1. Creates a high-performance work culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City’s mission, vision, and values.
2. Demonstrates, promotes, and develops leadership, management, and technical skills for self and other employees.   
3. Conducts self with high integrity, proactive in conserving City resources, and seeks and incorporates customer feedback for continuous improvement of operations. 
4. Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Other Qualifications

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling or related field;
and
two years’ experience as an Oregon professional licensure in social work (LCSW), counseling (LPC), or family therapy (LMFT) is required.  

Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred but not required.

 Special Requirements:

1. Must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation, including criminal history check, and integrity interview that establishes strong moral character.  Any conduct that could compromise the integrity of the application, coworkers, the Albany Police Department, or the City of Albany will be closely evaluated.  Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories are not allowed.
2. Must successfully complete psychological examination and basic medical exam prior to employment.
3. Possession of or ability to obtain Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) certification within 60 days from date of hire.
4. Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment.
5. Available to work occasional weekends or evenings.
6. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license.
7. In accordance with Human Resources substance abuse policies, incumbents in this position are subject to the City's Drug & Alcohol testing program.
8. The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.