Mental Health Co-Responder Clinician at City of Lakewood — Lakewood, CO

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $43.02 - $47.80/hour

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Co-Responder partners with law enforcement to respond to behavioral health calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use concerns, and other complex behavioral health needs. The Co-Responder provides on-scene crisis intervention, de-escalation, clinical assessment, and risk evaluation to promote immediate stabilization, enhance safety, and connect individuals with appropriate treatment, services, and community resources.

Working collaboratively with law enforcement, emergency responders, healthcare providers, schools, and community partners, the Co-Responder supports diversion from the criminal justice system and unnecessary emergency department utilization by identifying the most appropriate level of care and facilitating timely access to behavioral health services. Responsibilities include responding to behavioral health emergencies, assisting with behavioral threat assessment and intervention efforts, providing short-term case management and follow-up, coordinating care across systems, and supporting individuals and their support networks in accessing ongoing treatment and preventative services.

The Co-Responder is responsible for resource navigation, maintaining collaborative relationships with community partners, and preparing legal documentation related to mental health interventions, including mental health holds (M1), court-ordered mental health evaluations, and emergency commitments (EC), in accordance with applicable laws and agency policies. This position requires independent clinical judgment, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to effectively respond in dynamic, high-stress environments while promoting recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered care.

This position is scheduled as a full-time, four 10-hour shift assignment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (7-10 essential functions, prioritized according to importance and/or frequency)

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Respond to behavioral health calls providing de-escalation, crisis intervention, assessment, evaluations, problem identification, and referrals to appropriate levels of care. These responses will be conducted alongside Lakewood Police Department Agents, dedicated SPARK Agents or follow-ups can be conducted with another clinical staff member when no safety concerns are present.
• Work independently while collaborating with team members and supervisors in high stress and active environments. Demonstrate knowledge of behavioral crisis situations in a law enforcement setting.
• Conduct crisis intervention and clinical assessment with individuals and families in crisis.
• Assist and/or execute appropriate mental health holds (licensed clinicians).
• Utilize M4 petition process when appropriate or provide education to individual's supports with this process
• Utilize EC/IC process when appropriate and coordinate with detox centers. Provide education to support nets if applicable.
• Provide short-term case management with familiar face individuals to identify problems, look for alternative care options and help problem-solve alongside individuals and families.
• Maintain accurate and timely case management records.
• Participate in team meetings, in-service training, and clinical supervision as required. Come prepared to supervision with cases to staff and provide clinical input on other team members’ cases in a strength-based manner.
• Participate in proactive, preventative outreach efforts to individuals struggling with behavioral health concerns.
• Provide departmental training on behavioral health response strategies and best practices.
• Represent the program at community partner meetings and community events to provide education on Co-Responder services.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to improve Co-Responder services, team effectiveness, and community outcomes.
• Safely operate department motor vehicles during shift.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: General supervision from the manager of the Co-Responder team will be available.

Clinical supervision and consultation will be available as needed and according to licensure requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (7-10 KSA’s required for this position)

• Demonstrate strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Adhere to applicable professional code of ethics, licensing standards and legal requirements governing clinical practice.
• Demonstrates integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner with team or community members receiving services.
• Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and bring innovation to the organization
• Participate in personal growth opportunities by attending trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the team and the organization
• Continuously grow professionally and be well versed in best-practice models to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

Technological Skills

• Ability to operate a department-issued personal computer.
• Familiarity with current computer software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management Systems and Health Care Management Systems.

Education and Experience (Must represent the minimum required for this position)

• Education:
• Master’s degree in social work, psychology or related field from an accredited university or college
• Current license in good standing with the State of Colorado as a psychologist, LPC, LCSW, LMFT, licensed psychologist or LAC. Candidates within a year of licensure will be considered.
• Experience:
• Minimum of two years of experience working in a multidisciplinary crisis environment.
• Experience with case management with strong skills in creative problem solving and strength-based, trauma-informed framework.
• Preferred Experience:
• Experience working and collaborating with law enforcement officials professionally
• Experience or knowledge of law enforcement culture pertaining to chain of command and criminal justice system
• Knowledge and experience in assisting individuals or families navigating serious persistent mental illness (SPMI)
• Family systems work
• Familiarity with case management and documentation of case notes
• Experience with individuals struggling with substance use issues
• Experience in behavioral threat assessment and management work

Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Licensure in good standing with the State of Colorado as a psychologist. LAC preferred.
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle record.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands

• Co-Responders are required to wear LPD-supplied bullet-resistant vests and carry required equipment when in the field.
• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include

• Office settings

Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed

• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed both in an office environment and in the field. Co-responders will visit camps, hotels, parked cars, residences, and other sites to meet people where they are as well as in-person visits in an office environment.

Work involves telephone contact, email contact, as well as in-person contact with those experiencing mental health crises of all ages.

Work involves large caseloads and frequent contact with irate or upset clients.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Telephone
• City Computer
• Microsoft Windows and Word
• Various computer software programs
• Police report writing program
• Photocopier
• City Vehicle
• Calculator
• Police Radio

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.

Pay Range

$36.82-$47.80

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.