Co-Responder - Police Department

POSITION TYPE:  Salary, Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Co-Responder will respond as a qualified Mental Health Professional with the Cape Girardeau Police Department to aid in addressing the needs of community members that live with, or support those with mental illness, substance abuse issues, developmental disabilities, social services deficits, or other crisis situations, to reduce the need for police and other emergency services. The Co-Responder will provide modified case-management to assist in the successful connection of community members to service referrals, but will not provide therapy or traditional therapeutic services in a client and therapist relationship.

MAJOR DUTIES:
 

• The Co-Responder will act in a first responder role with the Cape Girardeau Police Department. 
• The Co-Responder will respond to calls from dispatch to directly intervene in crisis situations as reported by law enforcement providing behavioral health care as assessing mental status, risk and clinical needs of individuals in high-stress situations with a focus on connecting individuals involved to the appropriate service and level of care.
• The Co-Responder will evaluate clinical need for hospitalization or appropriateness for involuntary treatment according to legal criteria and make recommendations to law enforcement when needed.
• The Co-Responder will facilitate continuity of care between service providers, corrections, the judicial system, shelters, emergency departments, and other agencies when appropriate.
• The Co-Responder will attempt to follow up with individuals, family, or loved ones within 48 hours either directly, by phone, or by referring to a service provider when appropriate.
• The Co-Responder will connect community members, family, and significant others to services when appropriate and answer service questions as needed.
• The Co-Responder will ensure all interactions are documented and tracked appropriately and timely, with the understanding that data collection is vital to the goal of identifying service needs within the community.
• The Co-Responder will provide training and education to officers, the public, community groups, agencies, and/or media about mental health topics, and mental health response as needed.
• The Co-Responder will follow all directives and safety protocols as determined by police and offer directives on calls for service.
• Attends and participates in community coordination meetings and organizations as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

 KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:
 

• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal criminal and civil law.
• Working knowledge of major mental illness, traumatic brain injury, trauma informed care, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessments, safety planning and crisis de-escalation.
• Working knowledge in linking individuals to services and appropriate follow up for individuals in crisis.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written English, to include public speaking.
• Knowledge of local community programs and services.
• Knowledge of modern technology and equipment, including computers and related software applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers, and other law enforcement/judicial personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

•  Valid Missouri’s driver’s license.
•  Must have no convictions for felonies or crimes involving domestic violence.         

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related human service field.
• Minimum of two consecutive years of employment experience working with the severely mentally ill.

Salary per year $54,615, plus a generous benefit package.

• Bi-weekly pay periods.
• Thirteen paid holidays per year.
• 96 hours of vacation – accrued throughout the year.
• 96 hours of sick leave – accrued throughout the year.
• 2 days of personal leave per fiscal year. Must be employed on July 1 of the fiscal year to receive.
• City paid monthly premiums for health and dental insurance – Employee only.
• City paid monthly life insurance for employee only (1 times annual salary up to $50,000).
• Optional group term life insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
• Optional vision insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
• Voluntary deferred compensation plan – not matched by the City.
• Retirement (LAGERS) paid by the City. Missouri LAGERS – A Secure Retirement for All (molagers.org).
• Total compensation value for this position is $73,783 yearly, which consists of starting salary rate plus the benefit package.

Before final appointment, successful applicant will be required to successfully complete a drug test and background investigation.

The City of Cape Girardeau reserves the right to notify only those individuals selected for an interview as to the status of their application for employment. EOE/ADA/M/F/V