Behavioral Health Dispatch Specialist

CO Salary Range: USD 58,697.60 - 88,046.40 per year

Description

While the full salary range for the Behavioral Health Dispatch Specialist position is $28.22 - $42.33 hourly / $58,697.60 - $88,046.40 annually, the anticipated hiring range is $28.22 - $35.28 hourly / $58,697.60 - $73,382.40 annually. Final salary DOQ.

2024 Benefits Summary

Candidates hired are eligible to receive a $1,500.00 sign on bonus (while grant funds are available).

General Statement Of Duties

Under the general supervision of the Behavioral Health Response Program Manager, the Behavioral Health Dispatch Specialist will be part of a collaborative team working with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center and the Behavioral Health Co-Responder Clinicians. Responsibilities include assisting with de-escalation, consultation, triaging, and providing immediate telephone assistance to individuals who may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Emergency Communication Technicians will transfer eligible calls, believed to be related to a behavioral health crisis to the Behavioral Health Dispatch Specialist, to provide immediate telephone assistance. The Behavioral Health Dispatch Specialist will provide effective crisis intervention services including clinical assessments/screenings, when warranted, to determine and implement the appropriate level of care and service to all callers.

Duties

Examples Of Essential Functions

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job:

• Proficiently handles inbound call volume in a call center environment that demands providing a high level of service within standardized time constraints.
• Provides support to the 911 Dispatch Center and takes calls that are behavioral health related.
• Enters call information into the computer aided dispatch equipment (CAD).
• Monitors and updates CAD with the latest information to remain current with call for service activity and officer's status.
• Uses maps, map books, computerized maps, and the Internet to determine jurisdictions and properly locate call locations.
• Manages call times in an efficient and responsible manner.
• Able to finesse ambiguous situations presented by challenging callers.
• Demonstrates proficiency in work habits and time management skills.
• Performs high quality clinical screenings with excellent customer service skills.
• Displays courtesy and sensitivity when conducting telephone triage interviews with clients that are experiencing problems.
• Prepares documentation in a proficient and professional manner.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment, including commonly used computer software programs, as required by the position.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical records.
• Efficiently and effectively enters information from callers into electronic database system.
• Assists 911 Dispatchers with identifying appropriate services to dispatch to the Behavioral Health Response Team.
• Assists Co-Responders and Deputies with finding placement and bed availability for assessments.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance at such level as determined at the Sheriff's Office discretion.
• Interacts effectively with others and exercises good judgment when dealing with people in sensitive situations.
• Performs various other duties and functions as required or assigned within area of expertise or scope of the position.
  
  

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks for area of licensure, as well as understanding the criteria for mental health care and treatment in Colorado Statute (Title 27, Article 65, C.R.S.).
• Working knowledge of major mental illness, traumatic brain injury, dementia, trauma informed care, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning and crisis de-escalation.
• Knowledge of law enforcement accreditation standards at the Sheriff's Office.
• Ability to use computer systems, including MS Office Suite Programs.
• Ability to operate computer aided dispatch equipment (CAD).
• Excellent multi-tasking skills, including being able to listen, talk and type all at the same time.
• Ability to act and react to emergency and/or threatening situations in a manner consistent with the law, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to learn and adhere to multiple protocols for handling of calls.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both verbal and written English, to include public speaking.
• Ability to communicate effectively with angry, emotional, and excited persons via telephone.
• Ability to remain calm under urgent circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to distinguish different auditory tones.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co- workers, and the public.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, as required by the position.
• Ability to get along well with others and interact in a professional manner with all staff.
• Must be flexible with work hours and special requests from supervisors.
• Ability to change quickly and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Health, Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two (2) years of experience in crisis counseling, verbal de-escalation, working with diverse and at-risk populations, community networking and resource delivery.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: None.

Preferred Qualifications

EXPERIENCE: Experience working and collaborating with law enforcement officials. Emergency Communications experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must be able to type 35 WPM corrected.
• Must attend and successfully pass CIT training within the initial probationary period.
• Must attend a modified Emergency Communications Academy.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the initial probationary period.
• Must be available for work schedule assignments that require working nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must successfully complete the initial probationary period and training.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
  
  

Physical Demands

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Occasional use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery and writing utensils.
• Constantly involved in oral and auditory interaction, enabling interpersonal communication, including automated devices such as the telephone, radio and computer.
• Spends 60% of the time sitting, 10% standing, and 30% walking.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches and balances while operating office machinery, or interacting with individuals.
• Frequently uses visual capacity, including depth perception and peripheral vision enabling completion of required office duties.
• Occasionally lifts or carries up to 15 lbs. when moving office supplies or files.
  
  

Supplemental Information

YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).

Job-related Contacts

Contacts frequently include interactions with contract staff, Deputies, civilian agency members, members of the public and community partners. Information given and received is often of a critical and confidential nature. This position requires the ability to work and communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely, during contact with contractors, employees, and the general public. Hand-to-hand exchanges and face-to-face verbal communications between the member and the public are required on a frequent basis.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in an emergency communications center. The work level can fluctuate from minimal to fast-paced and high volume. The employee deals with crisis situations that require them to quickly make major decisions involving people, resources, and property with frequently limited direction.

401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees must set aside 9.00 percent, which is subject to change in the coming years, on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 9.25%. The County also contributes 6.2% to Social Security.

Bio-hazard Notice

This position has been determined to be a MINIMAL exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".

Applicant Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use - Applicants who have recent illegal drug usage will be disqualified. Recent drug use includes marijuana within one (1) year and all other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years. All other illegal drug use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Any felony conviction
• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.
• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest
• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior
• Documented record of prior work performance
• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement
• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Police history - type, frequency and nature of contacts(s)
• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process
  
  

It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.

Required Examinations

The screening process for any position within the Sheriff's Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s) and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants' ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.

Additional Required Tests/examinations Also Include

• Phase I Suitability Exam
• Polygraph Examination
  
  

Additional Screening May Include

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination, including a drug screen
• Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicant's former employers, associates, neighbors and other pertinent sources. Applicant's military history, school records, police records and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriff's Office at the Sheriff's Office expense.
  
  

Expected Duration Of The Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriff's Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.

Work Schedules

Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriff's Office.

Duty Assignments

All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agencies bureaus, sections or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at will status of employment.

Community Policing

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy which emphasizes problem solving partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.

Initial Status Period Of Employment

Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicant's examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriff's Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.

Policy On Reapplication

Applicants who failed a written test may reapply and retest no sooner than three (3) months from the date they took the written test. All other applicants who are disqualified can reapply with the Sheriff's Office no sooner than one (1) year from the date of notification of non-selection.

This job announcement does not constitute a contract of employment. Should there be any discrepancy or error in this job announcement, the applicable policy or pay rate will apply. The Sheriff's Office retains the right to amend this job announcement at any time without notice.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer, who fully supports and complies with ADA, EEOE M/F/D/V/SO.

Should you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact Human Resources

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), please call NEOGOV technical support at . Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.

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Benefits

As a Regular Full-Time employee at Arapahoe County Government, you are eligible for benefits such as:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Mandatory Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Pre-paid Legal Services
• Vacation and Sick Leaves
• Holiday pay
• Training and Educational Reimbursement Opportunities
  
  

For a more detailed listing of our benefit programs, click on the MENU link on the left and then Benefits Summary.

Salary : $58,698 - $88,046