Co-Responder in Gig Harbor, Washington at City of Gig Harbor

Starting Wage: $38.17 - $47.75/hour

Benefits

Position Closes: November 22nd

The Co-Responder works in partnership with the Gig Harbor Police Department, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One, and the city’s Housing, Health & Human Services division to provide a coordinated, community-based response to individuals experiencing behavioral health concerns, substance use challenges, homelessness, housing instability, or other complex social service needs.

This is a non-law-enforcement role that blends crisis response, proactive outreach, short-term case management, and system navigation. The position focuses on connecting individuals to appropriate services before, during, and after crisis, helping build a responsive, accessible, community-based support model.

The goal of the program is to provide a comprehensive, accessible point of connection between residents and the city's broader network of social service resources. The position will help strengthen a community-based service model that is responsive to emerging needs and capable of connecting residents with appropriate resources before, during, and after a crisis.

This position operates within a trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based framework and is expected to use a flexible, problem-solving approach to meet individuals where they are and connect them with the most appropriate level of support.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description do not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and undertake other projects consistent with the role as requested by a supervisor.

Co-Response and Crisis Intervention

• Respond alongside Gig Harbor Police Department personnel or fire/EMS to behavioral health crisis and other calls involving individuals experiencing mental health concerns, substance use, homelessness, housing instability, self-neglect, family or interpersonal conflict, or other complex social service needs.
• Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, supportive engagement, and problem-solving during field contacts.
• Help first responders determine appropriate non-law-enforcement alternatives such as community services, outpatient care, or voluntary transport when safe and appropriate.
• Coordinate with designated crisis responders, behavioral health providers, medical professionals, housing programs, and other service systems.
• Conduct timely follow-up to support continuity of care and reduce repeated emergency or law enforcement involvement.

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Conduct proactive outreach to individuals and groups experiencing or at risk for behavioral health, substance use, housing insecurity, or social service needs.
• Build rapport with individuals who may be isolated, distrustful, or reluctant to engage with traditional service systems.
• Engage individuals in locations where they are most likely to be reached, including homes, public spaces, community facilities, shelters, healthcare settings, and other appropriate locations.

Case Management and Service Coordination

• Provide short-term case management and service coordination for individuals identified through co-response, outreach, referrals, or other community contacts.
• Support individuals in creating goals and accessing behavioral health care, substance use treatment, housing resources, healthcare, benefits, transportation, food assistance, legal services, and other partners.
• Coordinate services among multiple providers to improve communication and reduce gaps in care.

Community Resource Development and Collaboration

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, regional, and statewide social service, behavioral health, housing, healthcare, and crisis response systems.
• Develop and strengthen referral pathways between the city, Gig Harbor Police Department, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One, behavioral health providers, housing providers, healthcare organizations, schools, nonprofits, and other community resources.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case consultations for individuals with complex needs.
• Identify service gaps and contribute to program development, collaborative solutions, and improved community response strategies.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• Behavioral health, crisis intervention, substance use, homelessness, housing instability, and related social service systems.
• Community outreach and engagement strategies.
• Case management and service coordination practices.
• Trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Local and regional behavioral health, housing, healthcare, and social service resources.
• Strategies for engaging individuals who experience barriers to accessing traditional services.
• Principles of confidentiality, professional ethics, and appropriate information sharing.
• Public safety environments and the roles of law enforcement, fire, EMS, behavioral health, and social service professionals.
• Knowledge of Washington State behavioral health and crisis response systems.
• Electronic case management, documentation, and data tracking practices.

Ability to:

• Respond effectively and calmly during behavioral health or other crisis.
• Build trust with individuals across diverse circumstances and backgrounds.
• Adapt engagement strategies to meet people where they are.
• Provide both immediate crisis intervention, longer-term outreach, and short-term case management support.
• Identify needs and connect individuals to appropriate services.
• Navigate complex service systems and coordinate across agencies.
• Develop creative solutions when traditional services are insufficient or unavailable.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement while maintaining an independent social service role.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with community providers and partners.
• Identify service gaps and contribute to development of new partnerships and community-based solutions.
• Use sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and respond to changing circumstances.
• Communicate effectively with individuals, families, law enforcement personnel, healthcare providers, service providers, and community partners.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Prepare clear, accurate documentation and use data to identify trends and inform program improvements.
• Maintain punctual and reliable attendance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Work is performed in both office and field environments. Field work may occur in residences, businesses, public spaces, parks, vehicles, shelters, temporary living locations, healthcare facilities, and other community settings. The position may encounter individuals experiencing behavioral health crisis, substance use, homelessness, housing instability, interpersonal conflict, or other complex circumstances.

The position may work in high-stress, rapidly changing environments and must be able to adjust priorities based on immediate community and public safety needs. The employee may be exposed to unpredictable behavior, emotionally difficult situations, inclement weather, environmental hazards, and other conditions associated with field-based community response.

The position will respond in coordination with law enforcement and must comply with established safety procedures and operational protocols. The Co-Responder is not a law enforcement officer and will not be expected to perform law enforcement functions.

Schedule: Typical hours may be Monday-Friday during established city business hours; however, the position may require flexible scheduling, including occasional evenings, weekends, or other hours based on program and community response needs.

Driving and Travel: Frequent local travel is required to conduct field response, outreach, service coordination, and follow-up. Travel to regional meetings, trainings, healthcare facilities, partner agencies, and other locations may be required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education, training and experience that indicates the individual can successfully perform the job may be considered.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, behavioral health, human services, counseling, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience involving behavioral health, social services, crisis intervention, case management, community outreach, or a related field.
• Experience serving individuals with behavioral health concerns, substance use, homelessness, housing instability, or complex social service needs.
• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, behavioral health, or a related field.
• Washington State behavioral health professional license or credential.
• Clinical experience providing assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, or behavioral health services.
• Experience working in a co-response, crisis response, mobile crisis, emergency department, law enforcement, fire/EMS, or other public safety environment.
• Training or experience in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, crisis intervention, or de-escalation.
• Experience navigating behavioral health, healthcare, housing, and social service systems.
• Experience working with individuals who frequently utilize emergency services.
• Experience with electronic case management systems, data collection, program evaluation, or grant reporting.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

The following certifications and licenses are required for the position (or must be obtained within the timeframe stated) and must be maintained for the duration of employment.

• A valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire).

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The physical attributes described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time. Walking short distances and navigating a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. Reaching, handling, and grasping documents and equipment. Clear speaking and adequate hearing sufficient to communicate effectively and respond appropriately in person and by telephone. Repetitive motions for computer and telephone use. Ability to drive a city or personal vehicle for work-related purposes. Ability to work in community environments may include uneven terrain, stairs, outdoor locations, residences, and other field settings.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the City's motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy and information-sharing requirements.
• Ability to pass position-relevant pre-employment screening.
• Ability to successfully complete required training related to crisis intervention, de-escalation, field safety, and co-response operations.
• Ability to work effectively in a public safety environment and follow established safety and operational protocols.

The requirements outlined in this job description may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.