Crisis Responder Supervisor

Why Kirkland?

The role of the Crisis Responder Supervisor is to supervise staff and contractors in the Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency, including supervising daily operations and providing clinical supervision. The RCR Agency provides a consolidated and standardized mobile crisis response program operating throughout the jurisdictions served. The RCR Agency is an inclusive organization that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity.

Crisis Responders use evidence-based practice that promotes well-being through assessment, brief intervention, referral to services, and prevention. Crisis Responders incorporate knowledge of human behavior, sociology, psychiatry, psychology, and many other social science disciplines using advocacy, compassion and de-escalation and crisis intervention skills to support those with unmet needs in a culturally responsive manner. They work as a team, and collaborate with other local, regional, state, and federal programs to identify gaps in existing resources for community members. The primary focus of work is crisis intervention, resource referral, and follow-up; this work is conducted in community settings such as health care organizations, businesses, homes, public spaces and at social service agencies.

Distinguishing Characteristics: With direction from the Executive Director, the Crisis Responder Supervisor supervises the operations and personnel of the RCR Agency, in addition to providing clinical supervision to the program staff. The Supervisor reports to the Executive Director, who is responsible for the program and has final decision-making authority. Unlike the Executive Director, the Supervisor will respond to calls for service as needed.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directly supervises assigned staff, contractors, volunteers, and interns who may work independently on rotating shift schedules in the field. Supervises subordinate personnel, including motivating, training, and delegating assignments; monitoring performance; conducting performance evaluations; taking disciplinary/corrective action; recommending salary increases and promotions; and recommending hirings and terminations.
• Provides clinical supervision to program staff and contractors, as an approved clinical supervisor within the State of Washington. Consults with assigned staff about ethical issues, clinical best practices, resource planning, and resource connecting.
• Oversees daily operations of the RCR Agency including scheduling and logistics.
• Supports the Director in planning, organizing, developing, and maintaining the RCR Agency, to include:
  • Assisting with coordinating policies and planning to include drafting policies and procedures for the program.
  • Ensuring Crisis Responders submit and maintain program data and outcomes.
  • Overseeing service-delivery improvements, training requirements, and SOPs.
• Responds to calls for service in the community, either independently or with a team, as needed.

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism.
• Knowledge of the principles of behavior and motivation.
• Knowledge of community health, housing, financial, and behavioral health resources and criteria for providing services.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal social service programs and eligibility criteria, including Veteran-specific programs, Medicare, and Medicaid.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, Outlook) or similar programs.
• Skilled in professional writing, communication, and report preparation.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to make presentations to large and small groups.
• Skilled in data collection, management, and analysis is desirable.
• Ability to gather and interpret court and law enforcement records is desirable
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including elected officials, non-profit partners, and multi-jurisdictional staff to implement programmatic solutions.
• Ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities in physically demanding, stressful, and environmentally diverse conditions.
• Ability to lead a team that is simultaneously working on multiple policy and planning projects.
• Ability to understand and support equity and inclusion in policies and practices; work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences; inspires and encourages fair treatment.
• Ability to commit to working with the team to analyze outcomes and challenges.
• Ability to work effectively as a member in formal and informal teams.
• Ability to understand the interests and concerns of others and be able and willing to share and receive information.
• Ability to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; obtain first-hand information and use it for improvements in services; act with consumers in mind; establish and maintain effective relationships and gain trust and respect.
• Values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Understands and supports equity and inclusion in policies and practices; works effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences; inspires and encourages fair treatment.
• Dedicated to continuous quality improvement. Committed to work with teams to improve the quality of life for community members.
• Establish and maintain productive professional relationships with City of Kirkland staff and other community partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree or further advanced degree in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: 3-5 years of direct experience working with persons with mental illness and/or experiencing an emotional crisis to include professional experience assessing physical, mental, social, and economic needs of diverse populations; such experience must have been gained under the supervision of a mental health professional during post graduate work. 2 years of experience with program management or supervising a team.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Must meet WAC 246-341-0515 requirements as mental health professional with license to practice independently, be in good standing at time of application, and meet WAC 246-809-134 requirements as an approved supervisor.
• Must hold an independent Washington State license in the field, such as: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or a Licensed Social Worker (LicSW) as defined in RCW 18.225 and WAC 246.809.
• Must meet WAC 246-341-0515 requirements as mental health professional with license to practice independently, be in good standing at time of application.
• Meet WAC 246-809 requirements as an approved supervisor for the licensure that is held or the ability to become an approved supervisor within 90 days of hire.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Ability to pass the City's driving record check and remain insurable by the City.
• Crisis intervention experience is required.
• Ability to obtain certification in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISD) by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation or other qualified organization within 6 months of hire. Experience leading a debrief following a critical event is highly desirable.
• Ability to conduct suicide/homicide risk assessments and safety planning, or the ability to obtain training within 90 days of hire.
• American Safety Health Institute (ASHI) Healthcare provider CPR/AED/first aid certification, or the ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Prefer 2 or more years of demonstrated experience working with housing and/or homeless issues.
• Paid experience working with Limited English Proficiency individuals and communities is desirable.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

• Must be physically capable of lifting, walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling.
• Navigate rugged terrains and unsanitary public places, homes, and shelters.
• Ability to carry, don, and doff personal and safety equipment during community response, including N95 mask and eye protection.
• Work involves outreach to individuals who may be unsheltered, living on the streets, in shelters, or located in suburban campsites and homeless campsites.
• The incumbent may be exposed to repeated emotionally disturbing situations, high-stress dynamic situations, hostile and/or aggressive behaviors, which could present a personal risk of harm.
• Work may require visits to jails and out-of-town locations, emergency rooms, and other medical facilities.
• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious material (OPIM).
• Work hours include various shifts to provide 24/7 coverage for community service calls and emergencies.