Crisis Response Specialist

Under direct or general supervision, the Crisis Response Specialist provides access to emergency mental health and substance use treatment services. The Crisis Response Specialist plays a critical role in reducing the number of calls to law enforcement, providing alternative crisis solutions to the community, and building linkages to needed community resources. Crisis Response Specialists have specialized skills and other supportive capabilities to help individuals with diverse backgrounds who are experiencing a wide variety of issues including houselessness, being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, or mental illness.

The Crisis Response Specialist is one of the City's frontline employees and is a highly visible part of the City’s service delivery system. The Crisis Response Specialist is the entry level position of the Crisis Response Series and differentiated from the Crisis Response Supervisor by level of supervisory, operational, and administrative responsibility.

Essential Functions Essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:
1. Provide non-judgmental, unconditional support to community members.
2. Assess for immediate safety and stabilization needs.
3. Engage with individuals who are intoxicated or under the influence of controlled substances and transport them to the appropriate social services.
4. Engage with or transport individuals who are experiencing mental illness to the appropriate treatment facilities in Thurston County and neighboring jurisdictions.
5. Transport ill or disoriented persons to shelters, treatment centers, or other social service agencies within the City of Olympia and neighboring jurisdictions.
6. Transport individuals to necessary non-emergency medical care within the City of Olympia and neighboring jurisdictions.
7. Focused response in the Olympia downtown core.
8. Work interdependently with others toward common goals.
9. May provide direction and training to less experienced employees.
10. Respond to calls for service from dispatch, OPD personnel, and other stakeholders in a timely fashion.
11. Complete required documentation within established time frames.
12. Communicate and collaborate effectively with other team members.
13. Track and compile program data.
14. Attend regular internal and external meetings.
15. Punctual, regular, and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical Qualifications Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
1. Experience in counseling, treating and transporting persons under the influence of controlled substances, intoxication, and experiencing mental illness.
2. Ability to provide a range of supportive/helpful interventions and activities.
3. Seek assistance and report incidents to the Supervisor as necessary.
4. Ability and eagerness to spend time outdoors and in the community with vulnerable individuals, some of whom are experiencing houselessness.
5. Ability to learn and help navigate all applicable resources with the client.
6. Ability to maintain strong professional boundaries.
7. Ability to assess, intervene, and follow up on safety and crisis situations.
8. Must be able to work respectfully with business personnel, social service providers, and others while holding the client's best interest as the first priority.
9. Ability to accurately track and report program data to the Program Manager.
10. Ability to effectively communicate with team members, Department leaders, and other stakeholders.

Experience/Education
1. Four years’ experience in the delivery of social services.
2. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
3. Any combination of related experience and education may be considered that demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties…