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Police Crisis Counselor

This job listing has already closed.
Location: Orange
Position Type: Full-time
Closing Date: January 31, 2022

Summary
This position is part of the Chapel Hill Police Crisis Unit. The purpose of this position is to provide immediate crisis intervention to persons with the goal of promoting overall stability and minimizing interaction with law enforcement, emergency mental health hospitalization, and incarceration. This is accomplished by providing on-scene response and incident follow-up.

*This position will work Monday – Friday 4:00P – 12:30A *.

Effective August 09, 2021, the Town will require either proof of vaccination for all employees or weekly testing of employees who have not verified their vaccination status.
Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Responds to emergency calls with officers to emotionally stabilize persons and link them with community resources; provides follow-up contact with appropriate parties once situation is stabilized. Must be willing to deliver services in varying environments such as homes, schools, jails, homeless shelters, campsites, and various community locations.

Evaluates crisis telephone calls and determines the type of response needed including field-based crisis intervention, phone counseling, information, follow-up, and/or referral. Works on-call in the team rotation. Types of calls may include but not limited to psychiatric emergencies and suicide attempts; crime victims; family violence and child abuse; sexual assault, indecent exposure, interpersonal conflicts; traumatic events such as a death of a family member, missing child or residential fire.

Responds to concerns from citizens, other town employees, or human service agencies regarding individuals needing services for stabilization.

Receives requests for services from individuals or human service agencies, providing short-term counseling service and assisting in determining the appropriate resolution.

Provides external and internal training on Crisis related issues and attends professional and in-service training as required. Assists with the development and delivery of community programming.

Provides mutual aid to assist other law enforcement, court, schools and victim service agencies as requested.

Acts as liaison between Police Department and local mental health agencies and hospitals, social and human services agencies, emergency service providers, civic and community groups and court personnel.

Coordinates with other community resources for referrals, sharing of information and case management.

Initiates, completes, and maintains program records and documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.

Performs other duties as required

Supervision Exercised
None

Physical Demands
The work requires long periods of standing and walking with intermittent periods of sitting at a desk or table. May require hiking and walking in areas of uneven surfaces.

Work Environment
This is a field-based crisis response position
.

Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

An equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of community-based behavioral health principles and psychotherapeutic treatment techniques
Thorough knowledge of the theories and techniques of counseling and crisis intervention.
Ability to participate in an on-call rotation which includes some weekends and holidays.
Ability to work a rotating schedule, as needed, which includes some days, evenings, and nights.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, community members, and supervisors.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility.
Model behavior that is consistent with our town values of RESPECT.
Utilize a computer and various word processing and database software applications.
EDUCATION:
A Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or other program of study directly related to the occupational field is required.

EXPERIENCE:
At least three years of professional work experience within the social service/human service field with experience in crisis work.

CERTIFICATION:

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the state of NC.

Supplemental Information
This classification has been designated as Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
The position is driving essential and must conform to the Town’s Safe Driving and Accident Policy and procedures.