Bilingual Crisis Intervention Specialist

In 2021, Petaluma People Services Center launched Specialized Assistance For Everyone (SAFE). SAFE is a community collaboration to address crisis response prevention and intervention for our must vulnerable community members experiencing mental health, substance abuse and/or homelessness.

Under direction, the SAFE Crisis Intervention Specialist provides community-based crisis intervention services for children and adult populations with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses on mobile crisis and mobile evaluation teams which includes direct client contact in the community, partnering with law enforcement, crisis intervention, field clinical assessments, outreach services, and other related duties as assigned. As part of this 12 hour, 5 day a week program, the SAFE Crisis Intervention Specialist will be partnered with a PPSC Crisis Intervention team member and respond to dispatched calls, and also patrol during the shift. The SAFE team deals with a wide range of mental health-related crisis, including conflict resolution, welfare checks, substance abuse, suicide threats, and more, relying on trauma-informed de-escalation and harm reduction techniques.

The SAFE Team members are First Responders working an alternative schedule of 3 days per week, 12 hours per day. The remaining 4 hours involve meetings and continued education. There is opportunity for overtime in this position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with SAFE shifts providing outreach interventions throughout our partner jurisdictions or is dispatched by the Police Department 911.
• Assume primary responsibility for making mental health assessments of clients and for providing crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Responds to crisis calls in the community to conduct clinical assessment, risk of harm, and determine appropriate level of care service and referrals.
• Provide field assessment, evaluation, and intervention for adults, adolescents, and children at risk of psychiatric hospitalization.
• Attend required department and clinic meetings and share in other responsibilities as relevant.
• Complete all required trainings, including defensive driver training
• Be commissioned by the cities as a Transportation Officer to perform the duties set forth, i.e., to decide whether to transport an intoxicated person to a treatment facility. In no case will SAFE transport anyone over their expressed objections.
• Complete 6-month probation period.
• Ability to work independently and as a team
• Ability to work with respect to cultural diversity

SPECIALIZED TRAINING/SKILLS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population, including impoverished and alienated persons
• Must be able to pass a stringent criminal background check and driving record review
• Ability to be organized and complete reports/computer data entry in timely manner
• Current certification in first aid & CPR
• A sense of humor
• Must be available to work evenings, and possibly weekends
• Must pass background check(s)

It's a requirement of this position, for the safety of all PPSC employees and clients, that the jobholder be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Bilingual (English & Spanish) wanted, bicultural preferred
• Strong written communication skills (e.g. reports, e-mails)
• Excellent telephone and oral communication skills
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, clients and the general public

REASONING ABILITY:

• Sensitivity to cultural differences present in the organization’s/program’s service population
• Ability to apply common sense and critical thinking to carry out instructions and make decisions within scope of authority
• Ability to deal with problems involving several variables
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING

• Uses assigned email address for ALL work-related communication and responds within 2 business days
• Communicates weekly with SAFE team members and SAFE management

COMPLIANCE

• Understands and adheres to all policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and SAFE Manual

KNOWLEDGE

• Stays current about best practices in crisis intervention

GENERAL

• Performs other tasks as assigned by management or as needed

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED:

• Ability to operate a cell phone, police radio and laptop computer.
• Ability to drive and to repeatedly climb in and out of a commercial van

ADA COMPLIANCE - PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, COGNITIVE & PSYCHOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical: Regularly sits up to 2-3 hours per day. Gets up and down frequently throughout the day to interface with others. Must have excellent hearing, speech and writing capabilities. Must be able to carry up to 35 pounds frequently and support up to 100 pounds periodically.

Environmental: Works alone, with and around others. Work environment is moderately noisy. Distractions are regular.

Cognitive: Required to read, write, compile, sort and analyze simple to moderately complex information. Independently assesses workload and prioritizes activities. Very strong organizational and planning skills. Able to communicate and resolve semi-complex problems independently. Excellent listening skills and ability to perform tasks requiring great attention to detail. Uses judgment and initiative, within defined limits of discretion, in making recommendations and decisions.

Psychological: Strong interpersonal and communications skills to deal with emotional, demanding or difficult people and/or situations. Regular exposure to high-stress situations with demands, deadlines, shifting priorities and multi-tasking. Excellent teamwork and proactive group participation are a necessity.

Accommodation Recommendations: A person in a wheelchair can perform in this position with assistance from other staff for some activities.

BENEFITS:

Paid sick time, vacation and holidays. Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, employee assistance program, flexible spending account (FSA), long-term disability insurance, and a 403(b) plan

PPSC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all employees is central to the continuing success of our organization. We will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, physical disabilities or medical condition (i.e., AIDS or ARC-related or cancer) or any other category protected by Federal or State law in hiring, promoting, demoting, training, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and job requirements.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.50 - $26.75 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Night shift
• Overnight shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $26 - $27