Lead Mental Health Clinician

Join the Chaska Police Department as a Lead Mental Health Clinician. Make a meaningful impact at the intersection of public safety and community well-being. 

The Chaska Police Department is recruiting for a licensed mental health professional ready to lead innovative, community-centered care. The ideal applicant will serve as the cornerstone of our behavioral health response—bringing expertise, compassion, and leadership to one of the most important roles in modern policing. This position is responsible for creating and implementing an effective behavioral health program, while working collaboratively with law enforcement, community stakeholders and regional partners. 

1.Responsible for and coordinates overall co-responder program development and leadership

• Design and implement a sustainable embedded co-responder model tailored to the needs of the Chaska Police Department and its community.
• Provide clinical supervision and leadership to future behavioral health staff or interns. 
• Establish and maintain policies and procedures that support ethical, legal, and effective service delivery.
• Track and report program data and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.

2.Provides service and overall crisis response

• Respond to mental health and substance use-related calls for service alongside law enforcement (in-person, by phone, or virtually), offers de-escalation, triage, and referral support.
• Provide short-term case management and care coordination to individuals following crisis response.
• Conduct mental health assessments in the field and determine appropriate levels of care.
• Maintain flexible scheduling to ensure coverage, including rotating availability for evenings or weekends, as needed.

3.Coordinates community collaboration pertaining to co-responder program

• Serve as a liaison between the police department, hospitals, community mental health providers, county social services, and advocacy organizations.
• Participate in community outreach, education, and stigma reduction efforts related to mental health and crisis response.
• Represents the department in regional meetings and initiatives focused on public safety and behavioral health integration.

4.Ensure required and proper documentation and overall compliance of co-responder program

• Maintain HIPAA-compliant clinical documentation using an electronic health record or secured share point.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy laws (HIPPA, MN Data Practices Act) and POST Board requirements. 
• Assist in developing training for officers and providing training on topics related to mental health, trauma-informed response, and cultural competency.

5.All other related duties as requested or assigned.


MINIMUM QUALFICIATIONS 
Education and Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited program in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a closely related behavioral health field. 
• Current and valid clinical licensure in the State of Minnesota as a licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). 
• Minimum of three years post-master’s clinical experience providing direct care in behavioral health settings, with demonstrated expertise in crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization. 
• Proven track record of working effectively with individuals experiencing serious and persistent mental health illness (SPMI), co-occurring disorders, or complex trauma. 
• Experience delivering services in community-based or emergency response settings, such as co-responder models, mobile crisis teams, or hospital emergency departments. 
• Strong familiarity with multi-disciplinary collaboration models, including integration of behavioral health services within public safety systems.
• Working knowledge of the Minnesota mental health system, civil commitment process, and coordinated care frameworks.
  Valid driver's license or ability to obtain by start date.
  
  

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Ability to effectively partner with law enforcement officers, emergency responders, healthcare professionals, and county systems to support coordinated crisis response and care planning. 
• Clinical Competence: Proficient in conducting risk assessments (suicidal, homicidal, psychosis), developing crisis safety plans, and initiating emergency holds or referrals when clinically indicated. 
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including documentation of clinical encounters in an electronic health record (EHR) and ability to present clinical findings in legal or courtroom settings. 
• Technological Proficiency: Strong abilities in Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and HER platforms commonly used in mental health and human services. 
• Ethical Standards: Commitment to ethical practice and confidentiality, including compliance with HIPPA, 42 CFR Part 2, and data privacy laws related to public safety and healthcare. 
• Leadership and Initiative: Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a high-stake environment, with strong organizational, time management, and critical thinking skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Embedded Response Experience: Prior experience working as an embedded mental health clinician within a law enforcement agency, or in close partnership with first responder systems.
• Clinical Supervision: Holds or is willing to pursue qualifications to provide clinical supervision to pre-licensed mental health professionals, contributing to workforce development and program sustainability.
• Regional Systems Familiarity: Knowledge of local systems in Scott, Carver, and Hennepin Counties, including mobile crisis services, case management, adult protection, and collaborative law enforcement partnerships.
• Completion of advanced training in crisis de-escalation or risk management, such as CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) or ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
• Experience supporting the development and implementation of behavioral health initiatives, including policy development, outcomes tracking, and community engagement.

Equipment

• Computer
• Telephone
• Office equipment such as copier, calculator, fax, etc.
• Automobile
• Radio
• Body armor and tactical vest

Mental Effort

• Attention to detail
• Read and understand statutes, regulations, guidelines, and ordinances
• Understand and communicate with the public through in-person, telephone, and electronic means.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, sit, pull, push, climb, run
• Operate a computer and basic office equipment
• Listen to and respond to telephone calls
• Ability to utilize agency-provided personal protective equipment to mitigate risk of exposure to different substances, some of which could be harmful

Working Conditions

• Drive a motor vehicle for field work
• Exposure to heat, cold, and all-weather conditions when working in a field environment
• Risk of injury when working in a field environment
• Office environment

Salary : $90,418 - $135,637