Crisis Response Social Worker
We are looking for Crisis Response Social Workers to join our team. Under the supervision of the Bellevue Fire CARES Program Manager, you will respond to people in crisis with mental health, substance use, behavioral, housing, financial and other social service needs. Your duties include considerable public contact and are intended to bridge the gap between emergency medical response and/or law enforcement and the social needs of people within this population. You will directly accompany emergency medical responders and/or law enforcement on scene to assist individuals in accessing mental health, substance use, homelessness, domestic violence or other social services.
Schedule: Multiple shifts available, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Respond with fire and police personnel to individuals in crisis including, behavioral health, substance use, homelessness, self-neglect, domestic violence and hoarding.
- Evaluate mental health status and make DCR referrals, when appropriate.
- Cultivate contacts and establish and maintain positive, effective, collaborative working relationships with Bellevue Fire and Police Department personnel, other law enforcement agencies, other emergency medical response agencies, court system, community leaders, federal, state, regional and local agencies, homeless shelters, area community service and faith-based groups, staff of state and local hospitals and health professionals in an effort to care for and assist chronic utilizers and other individuals in need of social services.
- Establish and maintain rapport with the individuals served.
- Provide information, consultation and referral. Respond to requests for information about available services for homelessness, behavioral health, substance use and other human and social service needs.
- Promote best practices in engagement approaches, support systems and interventions. Meet with and interview contacts, families and other care providers to assess needs and eligibility for services. Advocate needs of individuals within and outside system; liaise between individuals, caregivers and service providers. Provide client-level and system-wide troubleshooting and advocacy.
- Follow-up with identified individuals in an effort to bridge gaps between emergency medical responders and/or police and social services.
- Consult with other agency professionals on difficult cases.
- Work effectively within law enforcement and fire department environment and, which includes exposure to high stress, rapidly evolving incidents, public safety culture and norms.
- Prepare memos, correspondence, records, case notes and reports related to social service activities.
- Work variable shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Modern office practices and computer applications including spreadsheets, databases and statistics.
- Excellent verbal and written skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with team members, other departments and city staff, city officials and the public.
- Proficient research, statistical and analytical skills.
- Work effectively in team environments.
- Express ideas and recommendations clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
- View and address the total spectrum of service needs.
- Exercise a high degree of initiative and independent judgement, problem solving and decision making within the scope of assigned authority.
- Effectively identify and resolve conflict.
- Maintain detailed records and prepare clear, concise written reports.
- Support diversity and multi-cultural understanding in the workplace and the community.
Education and Experience:
- A Master's degree in Social Work required or the ability obtain by July 2023.
- Two years of experience working from a trauma-informed approach with individuals with significant mental health and substance use disorders or in a Mobile Integrated Health Program.
Licenses and Other Requirements:
- Current Washington State Driver’s License is required.
- Associate Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker preferred.
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social worker is preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
- Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
- The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.