Emergency Co-Responder Position Available In Berkshire, Massachusetts

The full [Emergency Co-Responder jobdescription](https://jobs.keldair.com/cityofpittsfield/jobs/89795/emergency-co-responder){target=”_blank”rel=”noopener noreferrer”} contains more information on this position.

The Emergency Co-Responder provides on-scene crisis intervention forbehavioral health emergencies, including those with substance usedisorders, opioid-related crises, and co-occurring mental healthconditions. The Co-Responder aims to divert individuals from thecriminal justice system and unnecessary emergency department visits byconnecting them to appropriate behavioral health and substance usetreatment services. The Co-Responder also facilitates training forpolice officers to increase competencies in intervening with abehavioral health crisis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide rapid crisisintervention and assessment to individuals experiencing mental health orsubstance use-related crises, on an as needed basis; Utilizesde-escalation techniques, harm reduction strategies, and supportivecounseling to intervene with individuals/families in a behavioral healthcrisis.
• Work in collaboration with police to ensure that persons withbehavioral health needs are appropriately diverted from the criminaljustice system and referred for appropriate behavioral healthservices.
• Provides information, referral, and outreach services ontopics such as shelter, food, employment, substance abuse, opiod andother drug abuse, and health services access.
• Provide face to face ortelephonic follow-up with persons served when clinically indicated
• Accompany police officers on patrol as allowed by officer in charge
• Work in collaboration with the Emergency Services team to divertunnecessary emergency department visits
• Provide and/or coordinatetraining to police personnel regarding behavioral health, substance use,trauma spectrum disorders, and other behavioral health topics asidentified
• Compile and submit monthly statistics
• Act as primaryliaison between mental health community providers and law enforcement
• Establish and maintain regularly scheduled, and as needed, contact withthe court clinicians to optimize appropriate dispositions and outcomes
• Establish and maintain regularly scheduled community policecollaborative meetings of all stakeholders and community providers
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in social work, psychology, or closely related field isrequired;
• Clinical Licensure (LCSW, LMHC, LICSW) preferred but notrequired.
• Must have previous outreach based clinical experience,preferably within psychiatric emergency services
• Minimum of one yearexperience in a crisis intervention setting or related field placementin crisis intervention setting to gain strong clinical and crisisintervention skills
• Valid Driver’s License, Class D
• Knowledge ofopioid use disorder treatment, harm reduction principles, andcommunity-based recovery resources
• Experience within the criminaljustice or corrections system to develop an ability to remain calm anduse sound clinical judgment in crisis situations
• First Aid, CPR anddefibrillator certification preferred but not required at time of hire
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills; ability to engage with thepublic and colleagues with confidence and professionalism, even inhigh-pressure situations.
• Proficient computer skills, including use ofvarious software programs unique to the public health department as wellas Microsoft office 365 and virtual meeting programs. HOURS Incumbentworks a 4 on, 2 off schedule, mirroring police officer schedule, at 37.5hours per week. SALARY Starting rate $29.33
• $31.

11 an hour Annualincrease up to 38.26 an hour