Police Co-Responder (2 Positions)

SCHEDULE:

Position #1: Tuesday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Position #2: Sunday – Thursday, 2:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

The Police Co-Responder, in partnership with Police Officers, is responsible for providing clinical-informed support to individuals whose need for various social services is identified as a potential contributing factor to their interaction with law enforcement. This partnership allows the Department to have a social service professional conduct an immediate face-to-face assessment of the person in need. The Police Co-Responder's ability to respond quickly to the scene allows for the opportunity to provide the proper intervention at the right time. It decreases the time Police Officers spend responding to situations involving the need for social services. Furthermore, the Police Co-Responder can effectively provide follow-up and case management and divert individuals primarily presenting with social services needs away from repeat interactions with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. The Police Co-Responder will expand the Department’s community policing program by interacting with and promoting community safety for those persons facing social challenges such as mental health issues, substance abuse, and being unhoused. 

Works under the general supervision of the Lieutenant of the Staff and Inspections Unit. 

Develops, implements, and administers the Police Co-Responder Program.

Responds along with Police Officers to requested cases involving suspected issues related to mental health, substance abuse, being unhoused, and/or other social services.

Utilizes social work skills, intervention, and de-escalation techniques to prioritizes safety when responding to crises.

Provides case management, advocacy, and community outreach, and refers those needing social services to the appropriate resource or agency.

Works with other social service providers to coordinate care for individuals in need.

Develops collaborative partnerships with support services and local agencies to ensure a seamless transition of residents to the needed services.

Identifies, connects, and follows up with residents about appropriate supportive services.

Assists Police Officers with death notifications.

Creates and maintains an Officer wellness program related to mental health.

Collaborates with social workers, counselors, and other service providers within the public and private schools to provide a continuum of care for adolescents and children.

Provides interim counseling services for community members after traumatic events or while waiting for an appointment with a therapist.

Identifies trends and social problems that individuals face that impact the community and presents recommendations on how to solve those problems or alleviate the impact.

Conducts education programs and provides in-service training for Department personnel.

Represents the Township at relevant meetings, acts as a liaison between the Department and community groups regarding social services.

Supports and increases dialogue between the Department and the community to promote transparency.

Coordinates with the Montgomery County Emergency Service team (MCES) and related agencies on case management and service delivery to residents.

Collects and reports data to measure the Police Co-Responder program’s efficacy and mental health responses.

Participates in a professional peer supervision group with social workers in various crisis intervention positions.

Maintains event calendars and logs of own tasks.

Uses a computer to maintain records, extract data, and write reports in the Department’s Record Management System (RMS).

Upholds strict confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information.

Required to work outside regular shift including some evening and weekends hours based on organization responsibilities and assignments.

Performs related work and other duties as assigned.

A bachelor’s degree in human services, social work or a related field plus a minimum of three (3) years interacting with persons in crisis, persons suffering from mental health and/or addiction issues, the unhoused, or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience substituting on a year-for-year basis.

Experience in a government or law enforcement setting preferred.

Licensed Social Worker preferred.

Must successfully complete all pre-employment conditions, including but not limited to a background check whereby the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for access to confidential law enforcement databases.

Ability to properly handle material of a highly confidential nature, exercise discretion, and sensitivity, and use good judgment.

Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, database applications, and scheduling and retrieving electronic messages.

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and remain effective under stress.

Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to take the lead role to identify and correct problems rapidly.

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

Thorough ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, representatives of governmental and other agencies, and the general public.

Thorough knowledge of general office procedures and the operation of standard office equipment.

Considerable ability in oral and written communications and maintaining information in the highest confidence.

Considerable ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Considerable ability to perform administrative procedures.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Ability to sit, stand, walk and or drive for a minimum of 4 hours per workday.

Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds for up to 20% of the workday.

Ability to bend, stoop, squat, climb, crouch, kneel, reach above shoulder height, lift, and push/pull for up to 10% of the workday when performing job functions.

Ability to perform job functions in all types of weather and temperatures.

Ability to perform job functions using safety precautions where environmental conditions may be challenging.

Ability to use hands for repetitive actions such as typing. 

Ability to drive an automobile.

Salary : $70,492