Co-Responder - Opiate/Substance Abuse

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

City Equity Statement:
The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job—someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

POSITION PURPOSE
Co-Responders are part of a Co-Response Unit consisting of a Co-Responder Supervisor, Case Management Coordinator, four (4) licensed/provisionally licensed clinicians and one (1) opiate/substance use licensed/provisionally licensed clinician within the Westminster Police Department. The purpose of the Co-Response team is to support law enforcement during behavioral health calls for service and substance use/abuse calls for service. The purpose of the Opiate/Substance Use Clinician will be to respond on calls for service related to opiate use/other substance use calls for service, respond with the fire department on medical calls related to the same and provide intensive case management for those ready to accept help with their opiate/substance use issues. The Co-Responders respond within the community with the goal of increasing the safety of both individuals and the community by de-escalating behavioral health crisis situations and working with those in the community who suffer from addiction. Additional goals of the program include diverting at-risk community members from the criminal justice system by providing stabilization within the community or through other care options. Co-Responders and the case management coordinator provide community members with resources for continued, long-term care options. Co-Responders frequently collaborate with other community partners to reduce recidivism with positive outcomes for everyone affected. The Co-Responders and Case Management Coordinator report to a Co-Responder Supervisor with oversight by a Police Department Commander.

This is a full-time, benefited position. The duration of the position is generally a maximum of three (3) years.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Police Department, which is “To Provide Law Enforcement Excellence in Community Safety and Service through Vigorous Policing, Professionalism, Leadership, and Innovation.” The Department is responsible for enforcement of State Laws and Westminster Municipal Ordinances pertaining to criminal and traffic issues, and to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the State of Colorado, and the Charter of the City of Westminster. The Department is primarily focused on public safety, maintaining peace and order, prevention of crime, and the apprehension of criminals.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization.
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
• Work efficiently and effectively with little or no direct supervision

Job Specific - Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to work with fellow clinical staff
• Demonstrate knowledge of modern principles, practices, and procedures with respect to opiates/substance use and behavioral crisis situations
• Demonstrate an ability to work within a police department and alongside police officers, fire department employees and professional staff
• Demonstrate knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, equipment, business English, spelling, and mathematical computations and tabulations
• Deal tactfully, courteously, and continuously with the public
• Establish and maintain respectful and effective working relationships with superiors, fellow employees and community partners and members
• Effectively obtain information through interviewing skills and techniques, active listening skills, and clearly expressing thoughts, ideas, and direction in an organized manner
• Communicate sound decisions in accordance with precedents and regulations consistently and timely, conveying facts and points of decisions logically and concisely, both in oral and written form
• Operate a department issued personal computer and be familiar with current computer software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management Systems and Health Care Management Systems
• Communicate, understand, and follow oral and written instructions

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks

• Responding and Engaging

• Collaboration
  • Collaborate with other Co-Responders, law enforcement, court personnel, and external providers to provide services to community members that may include intervention and diversion; maintain close and cooperative relationships with community agencies and other public agencies in carrying out treatment/service plans
  • Co-Responders are continuously collaborating with individuals to provide person-centered assessments; they devise safety plans, identify support systems, reduce and mitigate risk factors and point community members to supportive services, subsequent care, and treatment for substance use issues and/or mental health issues
  • Establish and maintains contact with key stakeholders both within the City and with community partners; is innovative while working with the Co-Response team and others to identify potential fields of intervention and works to implement plans and programs to meet those needs

Health Records/Legal Considerations

• Possess the ability to utilize health records management systems specific to Co-Response; works to complete accurate data collection, input, analysis and reporting to ensure a proper monitoring and application of the program
• Maintain and update health records within established departmental or program directed timelines
• Understand the criteria and procedure for Emergency/Involuntary Commitments within the State of Colorado and Emergency Mental Health Holds; asses a person’s risk of harm to self or others related to opiate/substance use and/or mental health and arrange needed resources or immediate placement if necessary
• Understand HIPPA regulations as it applies to substance use and mental health information and records collection, retention, and release within crisis situations and follow up

Maintains regular and punctual attendance Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Possess the ability to learn police related CAD/RMS computer systems for information review
• Embrace the goals and objectives of the Co-Response team, according to WPD project plans, policies and procedures, standards and protocols
• Advocate for the City’s interests in all situations to evoke a positive public image; raises awareness in the target population about the existence of WPD and City programs and how they may be accessed
• Maintain clinical competencies within DORA requirements for licensure
• The Co-Responder is accountable for all duties of this job
• Other projects and responsibilities may be added or changed at the City or Police Department’s, or Supervisor’s discretion
• Opiate/Substance Use Co-Responder will assist in backfilling mental health Co-Responder role when calls for service and case management are low related to their primary duties

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required :

• Master’s or doctorate degree in counseling, social work, psychology or related field from an accredited university or college
• For opiate/substance abuse role, must have Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Addiction Technician (CAT), Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) if no Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or in process of obtaining LAC, and LCSW, LPC, LMFT, LP
• Experience working in a clinical, co-response, or related crisis service position, knowledge and expertise in opiate/substance abuse and crisis intervention strategies
• Understanding of medical record keeping platforms and the federal and state guidelines regarding information collection, retention and release (HIPAA)
• Experience working with community behavioral health treatment systems and supportive services
• Exceptional organizational skills for necessary reporting requirements, data analysis and a valid driver’s license

Preferred :

• Current license in the State of Colorado as a psychologist, LPC, LMFT, or LCSW Preferred
• Preferred provisional license is as LPCC or LSW/SWC but all provisional licenses will be considered
• Experience working and collaborating with law enforcement officials

Any combination of education and experience may be substituted for position requirements on case by case basis.
Physical Requirements

• Ability to respond to in progress opiate/substance use and crisis situations in the field and effectively communicate with team members, law enforcement and persons in crisis
• Ability to constantly carry a police portable radio (up to five (5) pounds) and listen to it during working hours
• Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods
• Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material, and supplies
• Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional pushing and/or pulling of up to 25 pounds with dollies and carts
• Ability to enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle in a safe and prudent manner
• Ability to wear an external ballistic vest; all Co-Responders are required to wear external ballistic vests that indicate their role

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This work is performed primarily within the community in a variety of environments including parks, homes, businesses, fields, emergency rooms or other places where a person in crisis is located; response may be outdoors in both good and bad weather. The Co-Responder Unit operates seven (7) days a week with coverage from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; hours and schedule for this position will be determined in concert with the Co-Responder Supervisor to meet the needs of the organization, including nights and weekends
• City vehicles are provided for use by the Co-Responder Unit to travel to calls for service and other City related meetings or obligations
• Co-Responder Unit members will be trained in Westminster police culture and will be shown how to utilize police tools (radio and RMS/CAD systems) and understand scene and co-response physical safety
• Work requires the ability to work closely with others, with frequent interruptions, during periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions
• Work may also include adversarial conditions related to in progress crisis situations involving persons suffering from mental or behavioral health crisis and substance disorders
• The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, other police agencies and community organizations

Required Materials and Equipment

• Work requires visual, auditory and physical capabilities to operate a motor vehicle, and general office equipment including computers, copiers, fax machines, telephones, printers, and the ability to listen to and hear a police radio

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background checks could include, but is not limited to, the following: employment references, criminal history, credit check, job suitability and psychological fitness evaluation and education verification
• Must be able to pass the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check due to access to sensitive areas
• Drug screen, voice stress test or polygraph examination
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
• Must have a clean driving record

The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Health and Dental
• Flexible Spending
• Pension/Retirement Plans
• Term Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability
• Survivor Benefits
• Wellness Program
• Leave program that provides for vacation, holidays, sick leave, major illness, on the job injury, and administrative reasons
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

For a more detailed overview of our Exempt and Administrative Officer benefit package:
Benefit Package

The City of Westminster does not participate in the Social Security system.In lieu of Social Security contributions, the city contributes to a 401(a) defined contribution plan on your behalf.

401(a) Contribution Rates:
Employee Mandatory Contribution: 11.5% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.
Employer Contribution: 11.75%of your base pay.

Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule

• Less than 3 years - 0%
• 3 years- 60%
• 4 years - 80%
• 5 plus years or age 55 or older when separating - 100%

The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.

Closing Date/Time: 11/4/2024 8:30 AM Mountain

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• City of Westminster, Colorado

• 303-658-2150

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