Mental Health Co-Responder Clinician - Targeted Violence and Prevention en Lakewood

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RATE: $41.61 - $46.23/hour

This role is grant funded through August 2026 with the potential for reapplication. Start date is contingent upon the availability of grant contract funds, projected to be available in early November. Additionally, the hiring process requires a thorough background check and this must be complete before the candidate is hired.

As this program grows, we are working to extending its hours to nights and weekends. This role is anticipated to work from 10 am to 8 pm.

Lakewood’s Co-Response Team operates within the Community Engagement Section (CES). Under the Co-Responder Supervisor, the Targeted Violence and Prevention (TVP) Co-Responder will work in close collaboration with law enforcement to identify individuals on the pathway to violence and conduct comprehensive, timely threat assessments. The role includes development and implementation management plans guided by assessment to mitigate potential acts of targeted violence within the community. Through proactive and preventative interventions, the TVP Co-Responder connects individuals and their support nets with case management, resources and countermeasures to disrupt harmful behaviors before they escalate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Key objectives include reducing the impact on existing co-responders’ ability to perform their essential job duties of responding to active behavioral health calls by ensuring TVP cases receive the focused attention they require, and to provide education and resources aimed at minimizing firearm lethality in the community.
• Navigates resources and prepares legal documentation for the transfer of individuals to appropriate levels of care such as mental health holds (M1), court-ordered mental health evaluations and court-ordered emergency commitments.
• Works alongside Agents to provide clinical input on extreme risk protection order petition.
• Serves as the lead for the mental health component of threat assessment cases, with consultation of supervisor.
• Works with TVP multidisciplinary team to create, implement, monitor, update, and/or modify threat management plans.
• Conducts threat assessments with standardized professional judgement (SPJ) tools to guide intervention and case management.
• Provides detailed threat consultation as requested for community organizations, public schools, places of work, houses of worship, etc.
• Provides education to clients, families, clinical teams, support networks, and the public on measures to reduce firearm lethality
• Maintains and vets a network of resources and referral sources to meet the needs of client population. 
• Conducts follow-ups and provides intervention or countermeasures as needed.
• Ensures streamlined interagency and community partner communication to appropriately share information about individuals of concern in a timely manner.
• Coordinates with jails, hospitals, and other community partners for the purpose of continuation of care and smooth transitions for clients. 
• Conducts information gathering and coordinates multidisciplinary team meetings as necessary.
• Maintains appropriate and accurate documentation of services provided in a timely manner.
• Operates as a Co-Responder team member when there are no pending program-related tasks.
• Maintains a strength-based view on all cases in line with SPARK team mission statement.
• Work is primarily performed in-office due to the nature of cases. Occasionally, in-person assessments will be required, during which a team member or law enforcement agent will provide support.
• Safely operates department motor vehicles.   
• This position will be a four 10-hour FTE schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

• Supervision Received: General supervision from Supervisor of Co-Responder team. Clinical supervision and consultation will be available as needed and according to licensure requirements. 
• Supervision Given: None  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain positive, ethical, and professional working relationships with community, government agencies, and other professionals.
• Ability to accomplish administrative tasks autonomously, work closely with the team and supervisor, with frequent interruptions during periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern principles, evidence-informed practices and procedures with respect to behavioral crisis situations in a law enforcement setting. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a police department and alongside community-based professional staff. 
• Ability to multi-task and effectively and appropriately prioritize situations as they come up. 
• Demonstrates integrity, and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior. 
• Ability to address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner with team or community members receiving services. 
• Supports and promotes change; demonstrates flexibility and brings innovation to the organization. 
• Participates in personal growth opportunities by attending trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the team and the organization. 
• Values diversity; demonstrates an awareness of differences; demonstrates sensitivity and adapts behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences. 
• Understands medical record-keeping platforms and the federal and state guidelines regarding information collection, retention, and release. 
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage budgets, maintain reporting requirements, schedules, data analysis, and other clerical duties. 
• Ability to successfully pass a polygraph and psychological examination, reference checks, background investigation and drug test.
• Extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system is preferred.
• Familiarity with case management and documentation of case notes is preferred. 
• Familiarity with local resources is preferred.

Technological Skills

• Ability to proficiently operate a department-issued personal computer.
• Familiarity with current computer software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management Systems and Health Care Management Systems. 

Education and Experience

A combination of job-related education and experience demonstrating the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively perform the functions of this position may be considered, as determined by management.

• Education:
  • Master’s or doctorate degree in counseling, social work, psychology or related field from an accredited university or college. 
  • Current license to practice in Colorado in the above fields of study; applicants within six months of licensure will be considered.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 3 years working in a clinical, co-response or related crisis service position, such as a hospital, crisis center, withdrawal management program, etc.
  • Must have experience in threat assessment, risk management or related fields.
  • Strong knowledge or training of behavioral analysis techniques and threat assessment methodologies.
  • Experience working and collaborating with law enforcement officials professionally.
  • Experience working with community behavioral health treatment systems and supportive services. 
  • Experience in case management with strong skills in problem-solving and strength-based, trauma-informed work. 

• Preferred Experience:
  • Experience helping individuals or families navigating serious persistent mental illness (SPMI). 
  • Experience with multidisciplinary teams and coordination of care regarding individuals and their families. 

Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Licensure in good standing with the State of Colorado as a psychologist, social worker, professional counselor or similar field of study.  
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle record.

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

 LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands

• Co-Responders are required to wear LPD-supplied bullet-resistant vests and carry required equipment when in the field.   
• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include

• Office settings

Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed

• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Work is performed both in an office environment and in the field. Co-responders will visit camps, hotels, parked cars, residences, and other sites to meet people where they are as well as in-person visits in an office environment. 

Work involves telephone contact, email contact, as well as in-person contact with those experiencing mental health crises of all ages.  

Work involves large caseloads and frequent contact with irate or upset clients.  

EQUIPMENT USED 

• Telephone  
• City Computer  
• Microsoft Windows and Word  
• Various computer software programs 
• Police report writing program 
• Photocopier  
• City Vehicle  
• Calculator  
• Police Radio  

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor. 

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.