Portland Street Response Mental Health Crisis Responder II

About the position

Job Appointment: Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt. 

Work Schedule: Employees in this position will work four (4) 10-hour days with three (3) days off a week. Shifts include days, afternoons, and nights, including holidays. Ability to work any shift and on any day of the week is essential. During training, your shift may change depending on the availability of the trainers. After completing probation, you will be able to bid on an open shift based on your seniority. 

Work Location: 330 SW Curry St., Portland OR 97239

Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits for this position.

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees 

Union Representation: Professional Technical Employees, Local 17 (PROTEC-17). To view this labor agreement, please click here.

Application Materials: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a resume and cover letter.  
Program Values

• Equity & Social Justice: Strive to uplift the dignity and worth of all Portlanders, particularly those who have been historically marginalized and criminalized, by ensuring timely and professional person-centered first response.
• Collaboration: Ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients by working collaboratively with community partners, and traditional first responders.
• Empathy & Compassion: Operate from a framework of Trauma-Informed Care with the recognition that adverse life experiences (including health systems and carceral trauma) create barriers for clients to connect with the care and supportive services they need to thrive in the community.
• Resource Efficiency & Prioritization: Respond to the complex care needs of individuals experiencing low acuity crises in the community to enable Police and Fire resources to attend to life saving and crime-related calls for service.
  
  

Position Summary 

Mental Health Crisis Responders II will respond to non-emergent 911 calls in partnership with an Community Health Medical Responder (EMT). The Mental Health Crisis Responders II respond to sub-acute behavioral health and substance use-related crises that present no criminal intent, fire, or medical emergency. The incumbent provides crisis intervention, de-escalation, risk assessment, and other brief behavioral health interventions to clients who are in emotional distress. The incumbent will consider the psychosocial aspects of the behavioral health crisis and engage inappropriate resource and/or service coordination to address precipitating factors and resolve the presenting crisis. The Mental Health Crisis Responder II is distinguished from the Mental Health Crisis Responder I in that the level II provides case consultation and clinical supervision and support to the Mental Health Crisis Responder I’s. Mental Health Crisis Responder II is also expected to participate in on cases that require a higher level of intervention. 

As the Mental Health Crisis Responder II, you will be responsible for the following:

• Provide immediate mobile crisis response to service calls dispatched through the 911 system in the city of Portland per program policies and procedures.

• Effectively engage with diverse clients across social, cultural, and economic differences in a respectful and collaborative manner.

• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current psycho-social state via interview with client and with consideration given to collateral information.

• Consider and articulate potential outcomes of various interventions, discuss their risks and benefits, and formulate why a particular course of action was pursued in lieu of other options. Apply principles of client-centered and trauma-informed, opting for the least intrusive and most supportive intervention.

• Effectively implement behavioral interventions such as collaborative problem-solving, short-term goal setting, and risk reduction/safety planning in a client-centered manner.

• Engage in resource and service coordination to de-escalate and resolve the presenting crisis.

• Coordinate responses to crisis situations with community agencies and service providers. Consult with fellow crewmembers, supervisors, program managers, and bureau leadership as appropriate

• Document and maintain electronic medical records (EMR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures, and local, state, and federal regulations.

• Support program continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts by participating in chart review and maintaining accurate documentation of key goals, outcomes, and indicators to ensure high-quality client care.

• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, other departmental or bureau meetings, and relevant local and regional trainings.

• Complete employee training requirements in a timely manner as indicated in the requirements for the bureau and applicable licensing boards.

• Conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate clinical impressions based on knowledge of symptom criteria in the most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

• Assume a lead role for assigned Mental Health Crisis Responder I positions by providing case consultation, individual and group clinical supervision, on-scene co-response, and clinical support for complex crisis calls.

• Provide input for performance reviews of Mental Health Crisis Responder I positions.

 

Physical Demands: May move equipment weighing up to 40 lbs. 

Bend, stoop, kneel, squat, and stand on uneven surfaces for extended periods.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.govThe following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Knowledge of related privacy rules and laws, including HIPAA, mandatory reporting requirements, legal responsibilities, and organizational policies, and procedures.

2. Knowledge of cultural differences and their intersections (e.g., race, sexual orientation, gender equality, socioeconomic status) and their impact on client engagement.

3. Experience assessing clients’ risk of harm to self or others (e.g., suicide, homicide, violence) and effectively mitigating identified risks.

4. Knowledge of medical terminology and experience navigating health systems and entering documentation into medical record systems.

5. Ability to recognize and respond to client reactivity, employing strategies to effectively address and de-escalate issues when they arise.

Applicants must also possess at the time of hire:

• A valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• One or more of the following active licenses:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW),
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), 
  • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), and/or 
  • Qualified Mental Health Provider (QMHP) with at least two years post-graduate clinical experience.

Desired Qualifications:
Although not required, you may have one or more of the following preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in a Behavioral Health field or equivalent.
• Five (5) years’ experience in direct behavioral health service or equivalent.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of Trauma Informed Care (TIC).
• Experience facilitating groups and trainings.
• Experience providing individual and group clinical supervision.
• Experience as a first responder or frontline community-based crisis responder.
• Experience working effectively in multi/intra-disciplinary settings with other first responders, health and community agencies.
• Trained in behavioral health crisis assessment and intervention.
• Bi-lingual fluency is desired. Click here for a list of qualifying languages.

STEP 1: Apply online between February 17 - March 10, 2025
Required Application Materials: 

• Cover letter
  • Details are key! The city uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.

• Resume
• Answers to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials: 

• If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips: 

• Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. A subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
• Your résumé  should support the details described in your cover letter.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.  It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your application materials. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage the use of AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

 Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of March 10, 2025

• An evaluation of each applicant's training, paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their cover letter, and resume, weighted 100%.
• Your cover letter and résumé will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of March 17, 2025 

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. 

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Late March 2025

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview

Step 5: Offer of Employment: TBD

• Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment.

Step 6: Start Date: TBD 

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change. 

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations   

Salary : $41 - $57