Behavioral Health Specialist

The Community Health Unit at the Brooklyn Park Police Department utilizes a licensed mental health professional to provide early identification and intervention for individuals with complex mental health, medical, and substance use needs. This role serves those in congregate living facilities or independent community settings, intervening during contact with emergency response systems such as law enforcement, fire, or EMS. The position is funded through a grant and authorized for a two-year term, with continued employment contingent upon future funding and organizational needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide community outreach, resources, and care coordination to individuals with mental health or substance use needs in congregate care facilities or those referred to the Community Health Unit.
• Develop and implement crisis stabilization plans, therapeutic de-escalation strategies, clinical treatment plans, safety plans, and harm-reduction strategies.
• Maintain frequent contact with staff and management of group homes to assist in mitigating issues with clients, staff, or management.
• Conduct on-scene diagnostic assessments, mental status exams, suicide, homicide, violence risk assessments, lethality assessments, and chemical health evaluations.
• Lead consultations with Community Health Unit staff and outside service providers for case planning and specialized programs.
• Collaborate with sworn and non-sworn personnel to direct effective responses to behavioral health crises, including creation of mental health bulletins.
• Review and analyze program impacts and implement training for police staff related to mental health, chemical dependency, and related conditions.
• Maintain proper and timely documentation of case records, findings, reports, correspondence, and databases.
• Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of post-graduate clinical experience, including crisis assessment, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment planning.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Licensed by the Minnesota Board of Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health & Therapy, or a similarly related licensing board.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position may be considered.

Skills

• Knowledge of behavioral health principles, including serious and persistent mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, trauma-informed care, crisis stabilization, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Knowledge of diagnostic assessment processes, behavioral health screening tools, risk assessment methodologies, and crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, harm reduction strategies, treatment modalities, and community-based recovery resources.
• Knowledge of medical, social, environmental, and systemic factors impacting individuals with complex behavioral health challenges.
• Knowledge of community support systems, housing resources, healthcare networks, social service programs, and emergency response systems.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, confidentiality requirements, data privacy laws, and professional ethical standards.
• Knowledge of law enforcement, fire service, EMS, corrections, and public safety operations as they relate to behavioral health response and diversion efforts.
• Skilled in conducting comprehensive behavioral health, substance use, psychosocial, and risk assessments in community and crisis settings.
• Skilled in crisis de-escalation, suicide prevention, safety planning, and crisis stabilization interventions.
• Skilled in developing, implementing, monitoring, and modifying individualized treatment, stabilization, and support plans.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, problem-solving, and exercising sound professional judgment in complex and evolving situations.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective in highly emotional, volatile, or potentially dangerous situations.
• Ability to make independent decisions and prioritize competing demands in dynamic community environments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals served, law enforcement, emergency responders, healthcare providers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to identify service gaps, develop creative solutions, and mobilize community resources to support individuals with complex needs.
• Proven commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to provide customer service that meets or exceeds expectations.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience interacting with diverse populations, including individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, and developmental disabilities.
• Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao, or Vietnamese.
• Experience or ability to work closely with law enforcement agencies.
• Professional experience conducting crisis assessments related to mental and chemical health.
• Recent professional experience completing diagnostic assessments and psychological evaluations.

Working Conditions

• Core business hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with occasional evenings.
• Some travel to other locations may be required.
• Participation in on-call rotations, after-hours response, or emergency response activities as assigned.
• Ability to move throughout community settings and access client residences, treatment facilities, and emergency response scenes.
• Ability to lift and carry materials, files, and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Exposure to individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use disorders, behavioral challenges, emotional distress, cognitive impairments, and unstable living situations.
• May encounter unpredictable, volatile, hostile, or potentially dangerous situations requiring crisis de-escalation and situational awareness.
• Works in close collaboration with law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and other community partners.
• May be exposed to communicable diseases, hazardous environmental conditions, secondhand smoke, illicit substances, bodily fluids, and unsanitary living conditions.
• Frequent operation of a motor vehicle for field visits, transport activities, meetings, and crisis response.
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, driving, sitting, bending, reaching, and navigating uneven terrain, stairs, and confined spaces during fieldwork.
• Exposure to sensitive, traumatic, and emotionally challenging situations, requiring resilience, professionalism, and adherence to confidentiality requirements.
• Visual acuity sufficient to observe behaviors, assess safety risks, and prepare written documentation.
• Hearing and verbal communication abilities sufficient to interact effectively with clients, emergency responders, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Office environment and fieldwork; exposure to computer screens; frequent interruptions.
• High attention to detail and deadlines.

A criminal background check and/or qualifications check are required for this position. Applicants must sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify qualifications.

Pay

Annual salary range: $102,044.80 - $138,070.40 depending on qualifications.