Crisis Counselor-Night Shift

Summary

This position is part of the Chapel Hill Police Department’s Crisis Division. Its primary purpose is to provide immediate crisis intervention services aimed at promoting individual stability while reducing reliance on law enforcement, emergency mental health hospitalization, and incarceration. This is achieved through on-scene response and post-incident follow-up.

This role follows a rotating night shift schedule, including every other weekend and select holidays. Flexibility is important, as shift assignments may change based on the evolving needs of the team, department, and the community we serve.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responds to emergency calls with officers to emotionally stabilize persons and link them with community resources. Provides follow-up contact with appropriate parties once situation is stabilized.  Must be willing to deliver services in varying environments such as homes, schools, jails, homeless shelters, campsites, and various community locations.
• Evaluates crisis telephone calls and determines the type of response needed including field-based crisis intervention, phone counseling and/or consultation, information sharing, follow-up, and/or referral. Types of calls may include but are not limited to psychiatric emergencies and suicide attempts; crime victims; family violence and child abuse; interpersonal conflicts and violence; indecent exposure; traumatic events such as a death of a family member, missing child, natural disaster or residential fire.
• Works on-call in the team rotation. 
• Conducts mental health, well-being and traumatic stress response assessments. Assesses risk and potential lethality to victims and/or during psychiatric emergencies. 
• Provides short-term counseling and support during crisis response. Conduct safety planning and assist in developing risk mitigation strategies for individuals, schools and other community agencies.
• Interpret needs through a person-centered, trauma informed and intersectional approach
• Responds to concerns from citizens, other town employees, or human service agencies regarding individuals needing services for stabilization.
• Receives requests for services from individuals or human service agencies, providing crisis counseling service and assisting in determining the appropriate resolution.
• Provides external and internal training on Crisis related issues. Assists with the development and delivery of community programming.
• Attends professional and in-service training as required.  
• Participates in community outreach and engagement activities.
• Provides mutual aid to assist other law enforcement, court, schools and victim service agencies as requested.
• Acts as liaison between the Police Department and other service agencies such as local mental health agencies and hospitals, social and human services agencies, emergency service providers, civic and community groups and court personnel.  
• Collaborates with other community resources for referrals, information sharing and continuity of care.
• Initiates, completes, and maintains program records and documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.  
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.   

Supervision Exercised

None

Physical Demands

The work requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, running, or stooping. This position requires the ability to traverse adverse or uneven terrain, and work in all weather conditions. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity and medium strength. The employee must possess the visual and hearing acuity to operate position-related technology.

Work Environment

This is a field-based crisis response position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred, in a Human Service’s related field (i.e. Social work, psychology, counseling, etc.) or other program of study directly related to the occupational field.
• Minimum of 3 years of crisis related experience

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of the theories and techniques of crisis counseling and crisis intervention.
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of crisis intervention methods and techniques
• Strong understanding of best practices relating to duties of the position and the ability to work independently, making sound decisions based on best practices, laws, policies, and procedures
• Proficiency in and commitment to multicultural competence and experience working with individuals from culturally diverse populations, including underrepresented and/or underserved populations
• Ability to participate in an on-call rotation which includes some weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work a rotating schedule, as needed, which includes some days, evenings, and nights and holidays
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, community members, and supervisors.
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility.
• Model behavior that is consistent with our town values of RESPECT.
• Utilize a computer and various word processing and database software applications.

EDUCATION:

Must have at minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or other program of study directly related to the occupational field or equivalent education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

At least three years of professional work experience within the social service/human service field with experience in crisis work.

CERTIFICATION:

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the state of NC.  

• This classification has been designated as Safety Sensitive and is subject to the Town’s Drug and Alcohol Policy, procedures, and random drug and alcohol testing.
• The position is driving essential and must conform to the Town's Safe Driving and Accident Policy and procedures. 
• All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of pre-employment drug testing, vision/hearing screening, background check and a psychological examination. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

Salary : $52,058 - $69,227