Under the direction of the Community Response Division Manager, this position provides a specialized alternative response to mental health and social needs that traditionally would be received by law enforcement. Response includes de-escalation, conflict resolution, mediation, and motivational interviewing that is compassionate and trauma informed.  Team members support an overall effort to deliver specialized and compassionate services tailored to meet the needs of people with mental health conditions, substance abuse disorders, co-occurring disorders, those who are unhoused and those with unmet social needs who interface with the City’s emergency response system. Team members must have the ability to work flexible and on-call hours, including weekends and holidays, and be comfortable responding to calls in all areas across the city.  Hours can change depending on program needs. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):

●       Responds, in collaboration with other team members, to 911/311 calls with an identified behavioral health component and provides crisis assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, safety planning, referrals, and linkage to care services for community members.

●       Provides referral case management services as needed or assigned as part of response to behavioral health related 911 calls. This may include telehealth or telephonic follow-up subsequent to the crisis event to ensure linkage to appropriate community support.

●       Conducts proactive outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness,

substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders who may have unaddressed behavioral health or social service needs.

●       Delivers services that are compassionate, trauma-informed, and attentive to the particular needs and values of each individual.

●       Participates in team/department meetings, in-service training, and supervisory sessions as required.

●       Performs all duties as assigned in accordance with the city’s policies and procedures.

 

●       Must possess a high school diploma, GED or higher and must possess two (2) or more years of progressively responsible experience working with individuals in crisis.  Possession of a bachelor’s degree in the social service field is preferred. Ability to communicate bilingually in Spanish is also preferred.

●       Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.

●       Knowledge and experience in the following areas: 

o   Working with individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. 

o   Working on a mobile crisis, alternative response, co-responder or outreach team.

o   Learning and implementing trauma-informed principles and practices.

o   Linkage to community resources.

o   Motivational interviewing and engagement techniques to build rapport with individuals, 

      clarify individuals’ values/goals and explore readiness for change.

o   Understanding of privacy rules and laws, mandatory reporting, and legal responsibilities to Individuals and the community and other related laws, rules, and regulations including HIPAA.

o   Understanding of cultural differences, especially as they relate to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religious identity and their various intersections.

o   Competency and general operating knowledge of a personal computer, software, and telephone/radio equipment.  

●       Skills in the following: 

o   Understands the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

o   Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.

o   Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

o   Selects and uses training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

o   Monitors and assesses performance of self, other individuals or organizations.

o   Identifies complex problems and reviews related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

o   Adjusts actions in relation to others' actions.

o   Brings others together and tries to reconcile differences.

o   Persuades others to change their minds or behavior.

o   Actively look for ways to help people.

o   Demonstrates awareness of others' reactions and understands why they react as they do.

o   Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

●       Abilities in the following areas:

o   Listens to and understands information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

o   Communicates information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

o   Reads and understands information and ideas presented in writing.

o   Communicates information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

o   Can identify when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

o   Applies general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

o   Quickly makes sense of, combines, and organizes information into meaningful patterns.

o   Arranges things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations.

o   Combines pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:   

Employees are subject to inside and outside environmental conditions including operating out of a vehicle when in the field.  General office environment when completing paperwork and documentation. Majority of work and tasks are performed outdoors. The employee performs tasks outdoors; weather can be hot in the summer, etc., while in the fall, spring and winter can be cool/cold/freezing.

 

Employees should have the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force consistently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

 

The Crisis Alternative Responder will outline work assignments, review work in progress and complete work with the Community Services Division Manager.  Under the guidance of the Community Response Division Manager, team members work closely with internal and external partners to execute the role of the Alternative Response Team.  Guidance is provided via the strategic plan goals, City Code, City policies and procedures, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, as well as a wide variety of information relating to alternative response, ensuring that initiatives are met.  Work is evaluated monthly with respect to progress toward achieving goals, leadership, communication skills, customer service, ability to work productively and effectively with employees at all levels in the organization as well as elected and appointed officials, community groups and the general public, specifically those who are in crisis.

 

The employee has regular and frequent contact with department and division employees and other City employees; regular contact with individuals in crisis in the community including elected officials.

 | SELECTION METHOD | TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST | LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
| Structured Oral Interview | Category Group | 
|   |   |  

 

To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.

Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position.  Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.

The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity.  The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities.  Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-448-8052 (TTY).