Crisis Alternative Responder

$38.46 - $49.44 / Per Hour
*Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range.

Six Month Rotational Schedules:
Care 1:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 AM � 5:00 PM
Care 2:
Sunday � Wednesday: 10:30 AM � 8:00 PM
Care 3:
Wednesday: 7:30 AM � 5:00 PM
Thursday � Saturday: 10:30 AM � 8:00 PM

NATURE OF WORK: Under the direction of the Deputy Director for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, this position provides a specialized alternative and first response to mental health and social needs that traditionally would be received by law enforcement. Response includes de-escalation, conflict resolution, mediation, and motivational interviewing that is compassionate and trauma informed. Team members support an overall effort to deliver specialized and compassionate services tailored to meet the needs of people with mental health conditions, substance abuse disorders, co-occurring disorders, those who are unhoused and those with unmet social needs who interface with the City's emergency response system. In addition to an alternative response, team members are required to not only refer those in crisis to social service organizations but also to follow up to ensure a soft handoff. Team members must have the ability to work flexible and on-call hours, including weekends and holidays, and be comfortable responding to calls in all areas across the city. Hours can change depending on program needs. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):

• Provides a First Response to low-risk low emergency 911 calls
• Responds, in collaboration with other team members, to 911/311 calls with an identified behavioral health component and provides crisis assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, safety planning, referrals, and linkage to care services for community members.
• Provides referral case management services as needed or assigned as part of a first response to behavioral health related 911 calls. This may include telehealth or telephonic follow-up subsequent to the crisis event to ensure linkage to appropriate community support.
• Provides case management services to community members in crisis.
• Conducts proactive outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders who may have unaddressed behavioral health or social service needs.
• Provides training and education to community members and city staff to increase an understanding of the importance of appropriate communication that will ultimately decrease CARE related calls to 9-1-1.
• Works collaboratively across all departments and city-wide social services organizations to ensure that activities are promoted through social media campaigns.
• Prepares a variety of written program material, reports, and correspondence, maintains files as required in addition to budget preparation for the overall crisis and alternative response for the city.
• Assists with in-service training for internal and external employees to ensure proper use of the crisis and alternative response program.
• Coordinates the community outreach committee for the city.
• Provides explanations of rules and regulations to community members who are referred to the crisis and alternative response program and must be well versed in city ordinances, policies and procedures to ensure that the rights of those in crisis are not violated.
• Recommends purchases and maintains an inventory of supplies for crisis and alternative response program(s).
• Responsible for the coordination of the city's crisis response when there is community violence included but not limited to gun violence and instances when violence or horrifying events involve a number of community members, including neighbors who witnessed the above.
• Develops implements, supervises, coordinates and evaluates tenant community engagement hours and ensures that each tenant is completing hours in accordance with the lease.
• Delivers services that are compassionate, trauma-informed, and attentive to the particular needs and values of each individual.
• Coordinates transport of individuals in crisis to safer locations or appropriate resources
• Participates in team/department meetings, in-service training, and supervisory sessions as required.
• Attend regular meetings with Northwestern University, Districts 202, District 65 and other community partners to best understand and support the needs of the community.
• Performs all duties as assigned in accordance with the city's policies and procedures.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Must possess two (2) or more years of directly relevant experience supporting individuals in crisis or in behavioral health, homelessness outreach, violence prevention/interruption, peer support, substance use recovery, community response, or closely related settings. - [Relevant experience may include paid employment, volunteer service, peer-support roles, community-based work, or directly relevant lived experience that demonstrates the ability to build trust, de-escalate crises, engage vulnerable individuals, connect people to services, maintain professional boundaries, and perform the essential functions of the position].
• Bachelor's degree in a social service field is welcome, but not required.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is preferred due to regularly serving Spanish-speaking community members.
• Must complete Crisis Response Certification Training within 90 days of hire, or as coordinated by the Parks and Recreation Department with partnering educational resources.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.

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Knowledge and experience in the following areas: 

• Working with individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorder
• Working on a mobile crisis, alternative response, co-responder, outreach, peer-support, or closely related community-based response team
• Learning and implementing trauma-informed principles and practices.
• Linkage to community resources.
• Motivational interviewing and engagement techniques to build rapport with individuals, clarify individuals' values/goals and explore readiness for change.
• Understanding of privacy rules and laws, mandatory reporting, and legal responsibilities to Individuals and the community and other related laws, rules, and regulations including HIPAA.
• Understanding of cultural differences, especially as they relate to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religious identity and their various intersections.
• Competency and general operating knowledge of a personal computer, software, and telephone/radio equipment.
• Directly relevant lived experience may be considered when it demonstrates job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the role.

Skills in the following: 

• Understands the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
• Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Selects and uses training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Monitors and assesses performance of self, other individuals or organizations.
• Identifies complex problems and reviews related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Adjusts actions in relation to others' actions.
• Brings others together and tries to reconcile differences.
• Persuades others to change their minds or behavior.
• Actively look for ways to help people.
• Demonstrates awareness of others' reactions and understands why they react as they do.
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities in the following areas:

• Listens to and understands information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Communicates information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Reads and understands information and ideas presented in writing.
• Communicates information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Can identify when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Applies general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Quickly makes sense of, combines, and organizes information into meaningful patterns.
• Arranges things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations.
• Combines pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Maintains patience and composure in stressful situations.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, certifications, directly relevant lived experience, and work experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK: Employees are subject to inside and outside environmental conditions including operating out of a vehicle when in the field. General office environment when completing paperwork and documentation. The majority of work and tasks are performed outdoors. The employee performs tasks outdoors; weather can be hot in the summer, etc., while in the fall, spring and winter can be cool/cold/freezing. Employees should have the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force consistently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

SUPERVISION: The Crisis Alternative Responder will outline work assignments, review work in progress and complete work with the Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Under the guidance of the Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, team members work closely with internal and external partners to execute the role of the Alternative Response Team. Guidance is provided via the strategic plan goals, City Code, City policies and procedures, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, as well as a wide variety of information relating to alternative response, ensuring that initiatives are met. Work is evaluated monthly with respect to progress toward achieving goals, leadership, communication skills, customer service, ability to work productively and effectively with employees at all levels in the organization as well as elected and appointed officials, community groups and the general public, specifically those who are in crisis.

PUBLIC CONTACT: The employee has regular and frequent contact with department and division employees and other City employees; regular contact with individuals in crisis in the community including elected officials.

To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.

Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.

The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-448-8052 (TTY).