The Crisis Responder I position will reside in the Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency and report directly to the Crisis Responder Supervisor. The Crisis Responder I serves on a team of other citywide community responders as part of the RCR Agency, which 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: The Crisis Responder I is an entry-level level position within the Crisis Responder job series. This classification is reserved for those with an associate license. An employee in the Crisis Responder I classification will move to the Crisis Responder II classification when they are able to demonstrate that they have an independent clinical practice license from the Washington State Department of Health.

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:

• Respond to 911 calls for service in the community, both within a team or independently:
  • Conduct ongoing biopsychosocial assessments of community members:
    • Provide appropriate referrals and resources to community members (e.g., caregiver respite programs, paratransit applications, DSHS applications, SSDI, Veteran’s Benefits)
    • Follow-up with community members periodically to ensure a warm hand-off to the appropriate resource(s) or services
    • Periodically re-evaluate efficacy of the resource(s) or services, and determine need for additional or alternate services
  • Thoroughly document all encounters in accordance with policy and professional standards
• Conduct home visits based on referrals from other responders and community service professionals
• Provide appropriate level of support to community members during particularly vulnerable transitional times, such as post-hospitalization discharge to home or to alternate points of care
• Provide community member and/or caregiver/family education on alternative care strategies and resources
• Complete all mandatory training in a timely fashion such as clinical competency, culturally relevant practices, use of appropriate technologies, customer service, and any other assigned program and Department training

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Promote public health and wellness by coordinating and participating in community-wide events, health fairs, volunteer fairs, and activities
• Participate in the development of the Crisis Responder Program’s performance metrics, tracking, and referrals.
• Provide or coordinate training for Fire, Police and City Staff on social services or program updates and advancements.
• Represent the Crisis Responder Program on regional related work groups or committees when requested.

Why Work for Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!
If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they’ll tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive management and City Council, and fearless innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages:
We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome Benefits:
The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.

Childcare Programs:
To help address the challenge of finding reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has reserved spots for City employees at local and regional service providers, available at a discount. New employees gain access to Kirkland’s reserved spots as soon as they start employment. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

• 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.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, Outlook) or similar programs.
• Skilled in professional writing and communication.
• Ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities in physically demanding, stressful, and environmentally diverse conditions.

• 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 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.
• Value Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Understand and support equity and inclusion in policies and practices; work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences; inspire and encourage fair treatment.
• Dedicate to Continuous Quality Improvement: Commit to work with teams to improve the quality of life for community members.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive professional relationships with City of Kirkland staff and other community partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s Degree in social work, sociology, psychology, human development or other related field.
• Experience: 1 year of paid experience in a health care setting, including public health or behavioral health.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must have Associate's license as a social worker, mental health counselor, or marriage and family therapist as defined by WAC 246-809.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Prefer American Safety Health Institute (ASHI) Healthcare provider CPR/AED/first aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to conduct suicide/homicide risk assessments and safety planning, or the ability to obtain training within 90 days of hire.
• Paid experience working with older adults and/or adults with disabilities is highly desirable.
• Prefer two 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.
• Crisis intervention training and/or experience is desirable.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, a personal computer, tablet computer, calculator, copier, scanner and fax machine.
• Must be able to safely operate a city vehicle.
• 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.

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.