TLT/SDA Mental Health Professional

Full Job Description

KCSO Mental Health Professionals (MHP) will work in partnership with Sheriff's Office deputies as part of a team dedicated to providing crisis response services across King County.

These positions accompany deputies on patrol to assist individuals with mental health, substance use, homelessness, and other social service needs.

MHPs will correspond with deputies to calls for service that involve behavioral health issues, social services deficits, and have an intersection with public safety/crisis response.

The duties include considerable public contact and are intended to bridge the gap between law enforcement, emergency medical response, and/or the social service needs of people within this population.

The MHPs will have responsibilities that include applying knowledge of behavioral health to crisis situations where support services and referrals to social services are appropriate.

Co-response involves crisis triage and de-escalation, and often includes treatment referrals for substance use.

The MHP works closely with other program staff who assist community members with locating resources to take care of housing, job training, behavioral health, and other social service needs.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the public. If filled internally, it will be as a special duty assignment (SDA).

DURATION: This SDA/term-limited temporary position is eligible for benefits, and is expected to last approximately 12 months.

Requirements

• Co-respond with deputies 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.
  

Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

• Master's degree in social work, counseling psychology, or related field. Upcoming graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Mental Health Professional as defined in WAC 275-55-100
• Licensure (associate or full) as a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, mental health professional, licensed mental health counselor and/or mental health specialist, or related credential.

Desired Qualifications

Experience below is preferred, but not required:

• Experience partnering with law enforcement
• Experience in treatment of mental health issues, substance use issues and/or social service deficits

Experience, Knowledge, Skills

• Proven empathetic approach and skills that will help foster trust and build connections with those who require assistance, ensuring they feel understood and valued
• Effective Communication: Clear and empathetic communication
• Strong crisis management skills in de-escalating tense situations and promoting a safe environment while maintaining a level-headed and composed demeanor
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and communities in and around King County
• Knowledge of psychotherapy theory and techniques and psychopharmacology
• Knowledge of public mental health systems, veterans' mental health systems, Involuntary Treatment Act, and other related social service providers
• Knowledge and experience in direct treatment of mental/behavioral health issues
• Ability to demonstrate effective verbal, written and presentation skills
• Skill in detecting the signs, symptoms, and behaviors of depression, neurodivergence, mental illness, other behavioral health issues, and substance use
• Skill in navigating and engaging with conflicting perspectives
• Skill in aiding people in crisis to engage with services
• Skill in advising and referrals for recovery plan involving several providers/services
• Skill in clinical counseling

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for long durations (hours) of time (Primarily with Sound and Metro-but other places as well)
• Ability to work in inclement weather, hot, cold, rain for long durations (hours) of time
• Ability to navigate, climb and descend several flights of stairs for emergencies in building when elevators are unavailable or for safety reasons
• Ability to bend, twist, sit, stand, and be on knees while responding to calls for service (example, aiding in CPR and use of an AED on the ground)
• Ability to navigate small spaces like cramped apartments, hoarded homes, confined spaces such as the passenger seat of patrol cars with computer stands and other equipment that is present
• Ability to run or jog in sort durations/distances, should safety needs arise
• Ability to exit and enter a patrol vehicle in emergency or evacuation situations and to ride in a patrol vehicle between 30-40 hours a week
• Ability to lift and carry 30-50 lbs for bursts of time. Ex-gear such as body armor, small children if we are assisting CPS or in other crisis situations
• Ability to participate in the full range of care under fire and/or stop the bleed training and implementation of training in the field
• Ability to navigate through rough and uneven terrain such as brambles, the woods, inclines, hills, and be able to navigate over short fences, retaining walls under 3-4 feet tall (this happens when going to encampments or down paths in parks or larger properties)

Additional Information

To Apply:

• Complete the online employment application.
• Cover letter and Resume are optional

Application materials will be reviewed upon closing of the job announcement, and evaluated for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates will be invited to an interview.

Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union.

Work Schedule: This position is exempt from overtime. Hours may vary based on business need, and may include some occasional early morning, evening, and weekend hours.

This position is based at the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle, but may require travel to worksites throughout King County.

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Jessica Lussier, HR Analyst - Senior, King County Sheriff's Office

Jessica.Lussier@kingcounty.gov

206-263-2542

If you have specific questions about the assignment, please contact:

Susie Kroll, Program Manager, Mental Health Professional

Susie.Kroll@kingcounty.gov