Mental Health Co-Responder Clinician

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $43.02 - $47.80/hour

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Co-Responder partners with law enforcement to respond to behavioral health calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use concerns, and other complex behavioral health needs. The Co-Responder provides on-scene crisis intervention, de-escalation, clinical assessment, and risk evaluation to promote immediate stabilization, enhance safety, and connect individuals with appropriate treatment, services, and community resources.

Working collaboratively with law enforcement, emergency responders, healthcare providers, schools, and community partners, the Co-Responder supports diversion from the criminal justice system and unnecessary emergency department utilization by identifying the most appropriate level of care and facilitating timely access to behavioral health services. Responsibilities include responding to behavioral health emergencies, assisting with behavioral threat assessment and intervention efforts, providing short-term case management and follow-up, coordinating care across systems, and supporting individuals and their support networks in accessing ongoing treatment and preventative services.

The Co-Responder is responsible for resource navigation, maintaining collaborative relationships with community partners, and preparing legal documentation related to mental health interventions, including mental health holds (M1), court-ordered mental health evaluations, and emergency commitments (EC), in accordance with applicable laws and agency policies. This position requires independent clinical judgment, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to effectively respond in dynamic, high-stress environments while promoting recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered care.

This position is scheduled as a full-time, four 10-hour shift assignment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (7-10 essential functions, prioritized according to importance and/or frequency)

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Respond to behavioral health calls providing de-escalation, crisis intervention, assessment, evaluations, problem identification, and referrals to appropriate levels of care. These responses will be conducted alongside Lakewood Police Department Agents, dedicated SPARK Agents or follow-ups can be conducted with another clinical staff member when no safety concerns are present.
• Work independently while collaborating with team members and supervisors in high stress and active environments. Demonstrate knowledge of behavioral crisis situations in a law enforcement setting.
• Conduct crisis intervention and clinical assessment with individuals and families in crisis.
• Assist and/or execute appropriate mental health holds (licensed clinicians).
• Utilize M4 petition process when appropriate or provide education to individual's supports with this process
• Utilize EC/IC process when appropriate and coordinate with detox centers. Provide education to support nets if applicable.
• Provide short-term case management with familiar face individuals to identify problems, look for alternative care options and help problem-solve alongside individuals and families.
• Maintain accurate and timely case management records.
• Participate in team meetings, in-service training, and clinical supervision as required. Come prepared to supervision with cases to staff and provide clinical input on other team members’ cases in a strength-based manner.
• Participate in proactive, preventative outreach efforts to individuals struggling with behavioral health concerns.
• Provide departmental training on behavioral health response strategies and best practices.
• Represent the program at community partner meetings and community events to provide education on Co-Responder services.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to improve Co-Responder services, team effectiveness, and community outcomes.
• Safely operate department motor vehicles during shift.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: General supervision from the manager of the Co-Responder team will be availabl