Crisis Intervention Specialist, 1st

Become a Part of Something Big!

Our mission at the Keys to Change campus is to create a safe, engaging, holistic community

that empowers people to end their homelessness and create positive, long-term changes.

We offer a dynamic work environment where your ideas and critical thinking skills will be valued

and your contributions will directly influence the lives of those in need.

We are looking for individuals who are ready to be part of something bigger than themselves,

who want to challenge the status quo.

At Keys to Change, your work will matter, your voice will be heard, and together,

we will transform lives and strengthen communities

Keys to Change is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers an attractive health and benefits package for our employees, including 100% towards monthly premiums for Health, Dental, Long and Short Term Disability, and Life insurance (employee only), Paid Time Off, 403b, 8 Paid Holidays, and flexible schedule.

About Our Company

As a team, we uniquely help individuals experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. Our work is based in downtown Phoenix, but reaches across the Maricopa County, working to end homelessness for one of the fastest unhoused and unsheltered populations in the United States.

Summary $18.00 hourly

The Crisis Intervention Specialist 1st, is the point of contact for individuals accessing homeless services and experiencing crisis that could result in homelessness at night. This position is responsible for providing motivational approaches, knowledge of community support resources, and connections to such resources based on the individuals' needs, including possible connections to mental health and/or substance abuse concerns and trauma. This individual will also collect demographic information, and triage individuals into needs-based services. The 1st Shift Crisis Intervention Specialist is responsible for greeting all individuals seeking services through the Welcome Center at night. Responsibilities are determined by the Welcome Center and Night Program Managers and can be revised as necessary with proper notification and training provided, where appropriate.

The Work You will do To End Homelessness

• Identify and triage vulnerable individuals experiencing mental health, substance abuse and/or traumatic crises to available services.
• Collect client demographic information and obtain appropriate releases of information.
• Coordinate with campus partners to facilitate entry into shelter and other campus services
• Utilize diversion strategies to determine if other resources, outside of shelter, will work for the client.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments (VI-SPDAT).
• Provide services in a manner congruent with harm reduction theory, progressive engagement, low-barrier eligibility, trauma informed care and national best practices.
• Foster healthy and productive relationships with community collaborates including mental health providers, housing providers, and social service agencies.
• Document client interactions in HMIS system.
• Oversee waiting area assuring all clients are signed in and assuring all clients are treated in a trauma informed way
• Create and print campus Identification cards for clients
• Engages Clients using best practices including motivational interviewing and conflict resolution and crisis de-escalation.
• Maintains adherence to the HSC and campus policies.
• Attends yearly updates for any specific trainings established for their department or specific to their position
• Adheres to policies regarding working hours, break periods and proper use of the payroll and benefits system
• Additional duties as assigned
  
  
  

You Are a Good fit If You Have the Following

• Must be age 21 or older
• Superior written and verbal communication skills (Spanish a plus).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, clients and other external contacts.
• Ability to handle sensitive material, maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and displaying integrity and sound judgment.
• Mobility sufficient to conduct regular duties within a normal office environment.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds to lift office supplies and equipment.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant employment experience is a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience providing homeless services or mental health services.
• A healthy knowledge of the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (MMIC) and its systems and local healthcare resources and the ability to work with individuals with diverse needs
• Effectively communicate with clients from diverse backgrounds
• Be able to model effective engagement strategies
• Maintain productive relationships with colleagues and partner agencies
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
• Awareness and Sensitivity to cultural diversity, and alternative lifestyles is essential
• .Background Checks and Fingerprint Cards are a Condition of Employment