Apply by the closing date 11/17 to be considered!

Boulder County's Community Services department is seeking to hire an Erie Co-Responder. The purpose of Co-Responder position is to support law enforcement on mental health calls for service in Erie. When possible, Co-Responders divert individuals with behavioral health disorders or symptoms from involvement in the criminal justice system and instead engage them in treatment. Co-Responders manage crisis intervention, de-escalation, and referral to treatment at the scene of police contact. They provide resources and follow-up when not on scene. Co-Responders manage follow-up with community members to connect them with resources and behavioral health treatment after crisis has concluded.   

This is a full-time, benefited, grant-funded position, that will work Tuesday - Friday 12:00pm - 10:00pm, and on weekend rotation every 7 weeks. This position will work out of Erie Police Department located at 1000 Telleen Ave Erie, Colorado. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt.  

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.  

Hiring Salary Range: $63,840.00 - $77,892.00 Annually 

Tentative Hiring Timeline: 

• Phone Screening: November 20th & 21st 

• First Round Interviews: week of December 2nd 
  

• Officer Ride Along: week of December 9th 

• Reference Check: week of December 12th  

New employees receive an 80-hour bank (Download PDF reader) of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month. 

Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions. Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

Examples of Duties

1. Provides mobile response to a variety of community settings upon law enforcement request, including homes, street corners, offices, assisted living facilities, and shelters
   
2. Conducts mental status exam, suicide, and risk assessment to determine if people in distress meet criteria for involuntary treatment
   
3. Ensures that adequate time is spent with each community member to ensure accuracy of assessments
   
4. Makes appropriate level of care decisions on scene and communicates and collaborates with and creates relationships with multiple collateral agencies, including schools, hospitals, family members and significant others to facilitate referrals for needed community-based services and treatment
   
5. Conducts telephone follow ups and interventions with community members as needed
   
6. Documents all phone and face-to-face contacts and supplies documentation consistent with clinical and administrative policies and procedures and research related to the provision of services
   
7. Attends monthly team meetings and clinical supervision
   
8. Accept referrals from law enforcement for case management and broker service delivery to community members
   
9. Performs related work, as required
10. May be reassigned in emergency situations

Required Qualifications

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.
 
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a human behavioral science and two years experience in motivational Interviewing, crisis counseling, verbal-de-escalation, working with diverse and at-risk populations, community networking and resource delivery. 

Additional related education may count towards required experience. 

DRIVER'S LICENSE: 

• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record 

• For more information regarding a clean driving record, please click here. 

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK: 

• A job offer is contingent on passing a criminal background investigations 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook) Applicants must demonstrate proficiency at the time of the pre-employment screening process. 

• Candidate must be able to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Candidate must be able to navigate different terrains 

Supplemental Information

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• A cover letter is preferred 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook) 

• Related behavioral health experience in non-traditional modalities

• Experience working and collaboration with law enforcement officials

• Licensed or License-eligible LPC, LMFT, LCSW or Psychologist 

• Certified Addiction Counselor I, II, III or LAC preferred

• Bilingual in Spanish and English

• Additional compensation will be provided based on the use of bilingual skills. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: 

• Be culturally responsive with the ability to work with various identities in an inclusive and nonjudgmental fashion
• Ability to effectively develop and sustain cooperative and collaborative working relationships, demonstrating sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact
• Demonstrated skill in fostering effective and strategic relationships with diverse stakeholders including mental health professionals, law enforcement, medical first responders and community partners
• Demonstrated skill in motivational interviewing, crisis management and verbal de-escalation
• Significant skill in facilitating discussions in high-risk/high-conflict environment while working with law enforcement
• Ability to coach others to foster positive relationships, negotiate effectively, resolve conflicts, and otherwise manage difficult situations
• Demonstrated skills in working with individuals in crisis, experiencing mental health related symptoms and substance abuse addiction
• Excellent organization, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to be a valuable team player who has excellent follow-through
• Thorough knowledge of best practices, methods for high quality case management and an understanding of the co-responding model
• Excellent oral and written communication skills