Mental Health Co-Responder Program Mgr

Overall Job Objective

Summary of Job Duties

City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs
• Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovative workspaces

The Mental Health Program Manager develops and manages the City of Aurora paramedic and Mental Health Collaboration. This professional will evaluate the needs of the community while leading this collaboration through development, implementation, monitoring, and analysis. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to collaboration amongst service providers, City officials, various advisory groups, citizens, and other government agencies; facilitating internal and/or external meetings; performing complex analytical duties that include gathering data, data analysis, and developing comprehensive information packages; supervising program staff; developing and/or modifying policies and procedures to fit the program, all while working closely with all involved in the project. This person may be asked to intervene in a wide range of mental health-related crises including conflict resolution, welfare checks, substance abuse, suicide threats by relying on various de-escalation and harm reduction techniques.


PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a professional position in a fast-paced work environment, requiring excellent written and verbal communication skills the exercise of independent judgment, and discretion in handling confidential information. The individual must have the ability and skills necessary to work with the general public in a positive, friendly, and professional manner

• Designs, implement, monitors, evaluated, and leads the mental health and paramedic collaboration
• Builds networks and acts as the bridge between the department, community, City Officials, various advisory groups, other governmental agencies, and other helping professionals and agencies to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Supervises coordination and the cooperation of services within the program and between the program and the community.
• Directs and coordinates the development of programmatic regulations, policy, procedures, and schedules as it relates to the program. Interprets and enforces policy within the program.
• Tracks performance measures related to the program
• May oversee functions and supervision of the mental health workers within the assigned program. Directs the development, programmatic changes, staffing, and information systems to increase operational effectiveness and reduce administrative costs. Establishes performance standards and a system of accountability for all program employees.
• Reads, researches, and reports on new and modern practices dealing with mental health. Studies evidence-based research and responses to adjust and/or make recommendations for adjustments to the program's varying needs.
• Provides short term therapeutic emergency intervention and emergency services
• Provides crisis intervention services
• Provide behavioral health screening and assessment, call disposition planning, and referral or linkage to needed services
• Support and ensure quality and effective behavioral health programming in community settings and in partnership with clients, families, and community stakeholders
• Work closely with AFR (Aurora Fire Rescue), EMT services, and other mental health professionals
• Identify community resources, alternative treatment options, and long-term community support
• Provide clinical case management services to clients as needed or assigned as part of the response to mental health-related calls
• Provide community referral services for a variety of local resources (i.e. food banks, shelters, daycare, substance abuse, clothing, legal aid, and other human services
• Develop crisis-related treatment plans
• Coordinate clients use of other city programs and outside community resources
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records
• Attend in-service education and training opportunities
• Demonstrates and maintains a high standard of confidentiality and sensitivity to clients and families on cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic issues and diversity
• Grant administration and management
• Program evaluation and data analysis
• Monitor program compliance mental health professional standards
• Provide training to public safety employees and outreach teams
• Manage all contracts between COA and partnering agencies
• Performs additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelors degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field
• Masters degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field (Preferred)

Experience:

• At least five (5) years experience in the social services field to include two (2) year experience in program management
• 2 years experience in clinical work to include experience working with individuals that have co-occurring disorders
• Experience with 72 hour or M1 holds and the associated criteria
• Lead or supervisory experience

Licenses and Certifications: Must be licensed in Colorado (at least one)

• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) acquired within 6 months of hire
• LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) acquired within 6 months of hire
• LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
• LAC (Licensed Associate Counselor)

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Knowledge of:

• Methods of psychotherapy
• Grant Administration
• Community resources
• Clinical social work and mental health counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards
• DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) techniques

Skills in:

• Strong interpersonal, analytical, organizational, and public presentation skills
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Organization and time management
• Grant writing and administration
• Data Analysis

Abilities to:

• Work flexible and on-call hours
• Understand and possess empathy to be able to work with all walks of life and be able to communicate effectively
• Maintain confidentiality of client records
• Accurately and effectively triage crisis situations within a diverse, fast-paced, and high energy environment
• Effectively manage multiple tasks
• Represent self and agency with diplomacy and decorum
• Work autonomously and independently
• Exercise appropriate levels of professional judgment and utilize appropriate levels of discretion

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:

• Light physical work requiring the ability to lift 30 pounds
• Occasional lifting, carrying walking, standing, bending, and reaching
• Vision for reading and interpreting written reports and documents
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer system
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees, program participants, and citizens

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with some exposure to various weather conditions
• Exposure to volatile behavior and situations
• Telework may be available as allowed by business needs

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Equipment Used:

• Frequently uses standard office equipment including computer, calculator, multi-line telephones, and copy/fax machines
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

For Veterans Preference: Please show all of your employment histories, including military service, and attach related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies