Mental Health Co-Responder

Under the general direction of the Sergeant/Captain, provides mental health related services based on law enforcement contracts and acts as liaison between the police department and various mental health providers, consumers and the community. This mental health responder will work closely with a CIT police officer in a co-responder model. Will provide crisis intervention, case management, resources and community conflict resolution by responding to calls involving persons that need assistance due to mental health concerns, community concerns, substance abuse, experiencing homelessness and those that need a resolution outside of the criminal justice path. 

*Hours for this position will be: 11am-7pm

Are you looking for a career to make a difference within the community? Are you a person who is built on integrity and wants to join a department who leads with community-oriented passion? Check out this video about becoming part of the City of Urbandale. 
 

• Individual health insurance for only $77.86 per month; or family health insurance for only $238.94 per month
• Dental, vision, and flexible spending account options
• 15 paid vacation days per year
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 4 weeks of paid paternal leave
• 10 paid holidays + 3 additional personal holidays
• IPERS retirement plan
• 457(b) retirement plan with 2% city match
• City-paid Life Insurance policy plus additional voluntary life insurance options
• City-paid Long Term Disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Onsite wellness center

Routine Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency calls or situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises alongside law enforcement. 
• Assess the mental health status of individuals in crisis and determine immediate needs, including potential risks to themselves or others. 
• Provide emotional support and crisis de-escalation techniques to calm individuals in distress. 
• Connect individuals to appropriate mental health services, such as psychiatric evaluations, inpatient care, outpatient therapy, or substance abuse treatment and complete follow-ups, as needed. 
• Collaborate with local mental health professionals, hospitals, and social service agencies to facilitate timely care. 
• Maintain accurate, confidential and timely records of interventions, assessments, and referrals made during each case.
• Maintains data as prescribed by the department, prepares computerized reports; develops and maintains tracking programs, as needed.  
• Work in tandem with police officers to ensure an appropriate and coordinated response to individuals in crisis. 
• Acts as a liaison with the mental health task force and other mental health agencies, assists in development, coordinating and implementing training to support the mental health service mission.
• Attend court proceedings, as needed, based on mental health protocols and legal requirements.
• Collaborate with clients to create individualized, strength-based treatment plans that address both mental health and housing stability, working toward long-term solutions. 
• Stay current with mental health crisis intervention techniques, best practices, and legal or policy changes relevant to the role.  
• Assures that the City’s mission, goals and objectives are fully supported and initiated
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge is qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a human services-related field (including, not limited to psychology, social work, nursing and education) + Minimum of three years of experience in behavioral or mental health services. 
• OR AA Degree in a human services-related field (including, not limited to psychology, social work, nursing and education) + Minimum of five years of experience in behavioral or mental health services. Or without a BA degree or AA degree minimum of seven years of experience in behavioral or mental health services. 
• Valid Iowa Drivers’ License 
• CPR/First Aid/AED certifications within twelve months of employment

• Ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive manner
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action during stressful, emotional and/or physically taxing situations
• Ability to write clear, accurate, factual, and concise reports
• Excellent critical thinking skills, including, but not limited to, the ability to: make observations and remember pertinent facts; question witnesses and obtain pertinent information
• Excellent oral/interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to handle stressful, hostile, or irrational persons, whether due to physical or mental impairments.
• Ability to maintain intense concentration and alertness during stressful situation, particularly when preceded by extended periods of relative low stress or monotony.
• Must be of good moral character
• Continuous visual effort, depth perception, color vision, hearing, and speaking abilities. 
• Ability to perform essential duties at designated work site location at designated hours.

Supplemental Information

The Civil Service testing process for this position consist of a written supplemental and an oral board interview.

Tentative Timeline:
Written Supplemental: sent out after the close of the posting 
Oral Interviews: tentative May 21st - 23rd (official dates will be determined by the the number of candidates and sent out in future communication) 
Start date approximately: July 1, 2025

Candidates qualified for the process will be notified of dates and steps in the process as appropriate, via thegovernmentjobs.com email notifications. Be sure to apply with a valid email you check regularly and sign up for text message option for more communication options. If you have a BA or AA degree please attach your transcripts to your application or email them to blauck@urbandale.org. 

The salary range listed includes pay steps based on length of service with the City if Urbandale.  New employees are hired close to the minimum of the advertised range.

Post-offer/pre-employment background check/MVR check and drug test is required. The City of Urbandale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons with disabilities must submit requests for ADA accommodations to the Human Resources Department, in writing at HR@urbandale.org,  prior to the application deadline.