Police Behavioral Health Co-Responder at City of Englewood (Police Department)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Behavioral Health Co-Responder provides support to law enforcement officers to respond to active calls for service involving individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Under general supervision, the co-responder will perform crisis assessments and utilize crisis intervention techniques to assist on calls for service involving behavioral health challenges. They provide behavioral health support and resource coordination on calls for service.

This position is embedded within a co-responder team model where the clinician spends the majority of their shift in the field, riding with officers and providing real-time behavioral health support during police responses. The co-responder assists in on-scene assessments, de-escalation, safety planning, and linkage to services, and plays an active role in collaborative decision-making to determine the most appropriate and least restrictive course of action for individuals in crisis.

The co-responder responds to behavioral health emergency calls for service with public safety personnel (patrol officers, fire/EMS). This position utilizes best practice crisis intervention strategies to assist individuals and families with navigating behavioral health emergency resources and appropriate level of care. Work is performed under routine supervision with guidance readily available for unusual or complex situations.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Police Behavioral Health Response Manager

Direct Reports: N/A

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The listed examples of work are not intended to be all-inclusive.  They may be modified with additions, deletions, or changes as necessary.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Ride with law enforcement officers during their shift and co-respond to live calls involving behavioral health, substance use, and social service needs.
• Perform field-based behavioral screenings following standardized assessment tools and guidelines.
• Collaborate with officers to implement established response options based on predefined protocols.
• Provide crisis de-escalation, trauma-informed support and referral assistance under defined protocols.
• Assess individuals for risk to self or others, and when clinically indicated and legally permitted, initiate or facilitate an M‑1 hold authorized under C.R.S. 27‑65‑105—allowing for involuntary detention in a designated facility when individuals pose imminent danger or are gravely disabled .
• Collaborate with law enforcement to develop short-term safety plans and facilitate referrals to outpatient treatment, crisis services, or community-based supports.
• Document encounters and interventions according to departmental, legal, and HIPAA-compliant standards, including using required M‑Form documentation (e.g. M‑Form 1)
• Provide information on behavioral health resources and assist officers in connecting individuals and families to appropriate services.
• Participate in follow-up coordination and care planning for individuals with frequent or high-risk contact with public safety.
• Attend and contribute to interdisciplinary team meetings, training, and community engagement efforts.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with delivery of behavioral health training to law enforcement officers, including topics such as crisis de-escalation, mental health signs and symptoms, trauma-informed approaches, and cultural considerations in behavioral health response.
• Participate in community-outreach activities as directed.
• Prepare case notes, data entry, and reports in accordance with departmental recordkeeping standards.
• Maintain inventory of resource materials and ensure vehicle and field supplies are stocked.

PREPARATION AND TRAINING

Education

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related behavioral health field.

Work Experience

• At least two (2) years of crisis intervention, mobile response, or emergency behavioral health services.

Certifications and/or Licensures

• Current licensure (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT or LAC) or eligibility for licensure within Colorado.

An equivalent combination of education, training and relevant job experience may be substituted.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (in addition to above requirements):

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License and safe driving record for continued employment.
• New hires must, as a condition of employment, pass the following pre-offer and post-offer/hire processes: in-person or virtual interviews, reference checks, and background checks, which may include local police check, DMV check and sex-offender registry, polygraph or CVSA, pre and post psychological, drug screen, peer sit-along, and fingerprint checks through CBI/FBI.Cannot have been convicted of a felony or disqualifying misdemeanor as per NCIC/CCIC policy. 
• Must maintain clinical license competencies within DORA requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and de-escalation strategies.
• Skills and competence to establish supportive, respectful, trusting relationships with persons with a history of severe or persistent mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and/or homelessness.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic field-based environment, often under high-stress or time-sensitive conditions.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, especially in multidisciplinary settings.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Aptitude for detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Denver Metro area resources.
• Previous experience working in partnership with law enforcement, EMS, or public safety preferred.
• Familiarity with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model and co-responder best practices preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred.

HOURLY PAY RANGE

$32.20 - $48.29/Hourly Pay Rate

This is a full-time position. 

BENEFITS

The City of Englewood offers a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off 
• Paid Sick Leave 
• 12 Paid Holidays

WORKING CONDITIONS       

• Field-based position with significant time spent riding in patrol vehicles and responding to live calls for service.
• May involve exposure to emotionally intense or high-risk situations.
• Includes day, evening, or weekend shifts depending on staffing needs.
• Work week is comprised of 10-hour shifts, four days of the week
• The noise level in the environment is moderate.
• Frequently required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, and stand.
• Physical demands are described as sedentary (Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body).
• Tasks may require use of a computer for several hours.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision (ability to distinguish between the colors red and green) and ability to adjust focus.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open until filled.