Behavioral Health Outreach - Peer, SSS; STT

Behavioral Health Outreach Program Specialist

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.

Our Behavioral Health and Recovery Division is looking for people to join the Behavioral Health Outreach Program (BHOP) team! The Behavioral Health Outreach Program consists of three teams that respond to behavioral health crises that occur in assigned patrol areas within King County. The teams provide assistance and/or intervention to people who are experiencing crisis, homelessness, and/or behavioral health issues. Interventions include community engagement, outreach, de-escalation, screening by visual inspection and brief conversation to determine the need for services, and referrals for service.

There are three teams within this program:

• City Hall Park Neighborhood Outreach:
  City Hall Park/King County Campus
• Sound Transit Outreach:
  Downtown Light Rail Stations
• KC Metro Outreach:
  Burien Transit Center

We are recruiting for up to 10 on-call, Short-Term Temporary (STT) positions. These positions are not benefits eligible.

To be considered minimally qualified, applicants must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skill and ability to:

• Patrol assigned areas on foot and provide outreach and engage with individuals in the light rail stations or on the trains.
• Assist transit security in responding and engaging with individuals who are experiencing behavioral health crises
• Provide crisis intervention/counseling to individuals.
• Offer service information and linkage to shelter, housing, behavioral health, medical, and employment services.
• Provide information and education about health/behavioral health issues.
• Serve as liaison to and represent the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division within community groups.
• Develop trusting relationships with individuals through respectful outreach and client centered engagement practices in order to assess their service needs and respond with appropriate referrals and linkages to resources.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with community partners, shelters, direct service providers, and other service or resource organizations to ensure continuity of care for individuals.
• Perform job responsibilities in a manner that respects and promotes individual dignity at all times even when challenged by others.
• Monitor and intervene using de-escalation techniques which includes the use of least amount of physical force when physical or verbal altercations occur.
• Maintain the safety and security of individuals by using visual and auditory cues that indicate whether or not individuals are stable and safe during outreach services.
• Complete paper written reports with handwriting that is legible, grammatically correct and complete.
• Enter electronic data by typing and saving data via computer to record information as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• The incumbents in these positions will have a personal history of recovery from mental health, substance use or co-occurring disorders.
• Minimum of 2 years as a peer support specialist or equivalent experience.
• High School diploma, GED or five years equivalent education and work experience in a behavioral health setting.
• Enthusiasm for peer support and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone.
• Experience serving populations impacted by extreme poverty, behavioral health conditions, and mental illness from a harm reduction model of care.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, and outside contacts from a wide variety of ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Skills in de-escalating verbal aggression, hostile or violent behavior.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills using conflict resolution techniques which result in positive outcomes, and the ability to apply patience and common sense as needed.
• Effective interpersonal skills in working with and promoting positive teamwork.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team that displays sound decision making in the absence of on-site supervisory oversight.
• Current CPR card or attainable within 90 days.
• Current Basic First Aid card or attainable within 90 days.
• Basic knowledge of signs and symptoms of behavioral health conditions.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License, or the ability to travel around the County in a timely manner.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check on a post offer/pre-employment basis.

Additional Position Information:

• These positions have been designated Non-Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency…