Clinical Navigator (Licensed)

This is a position with an expected end date of 7/31/2027, and the potential to be extended. This position requires a pre-employment drug screen prior to start date.

About the Role

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is the City’s accredited public health agency, promoting healthy people, healthy pets, and a sustainable environment through education, engagement, and enforcement. The department is funded by the General Fund, Enterprise Funds, Special Revenue Funds, and a mix of state, federal, and private grants and donations.

We foster an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.

The Clinical Homeless Outreach Team (C-HOT) is a co-responder program that fosters a partnership between program clinicians (otherwise known as clinical navigators) and specialized officers from the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) through Denver Police Department (DPD). The goal of this collaboration is to divert individuals from unnecessary legal system involvement and/or hospitalization into a coordinated system of care. The program works in alignment with the Mayor’s Office and other city programs to address 311 calls with a behavioral health focus, providing assessments, crisis intervention, and de-escalation among populations with higher acuity and severity in health needs.

Responsibilities

• Perform outreach activities to unhoused individuals within the City and County of Denver that are affected by behavioral health issues or substance abuse along with DPD's HOT officers.
• Engage individuals in trauma-responsive, person-focused crisis support and de-escalation, and collaborative problem solving to meet self-identified needs of community members.
• Provide on-scene behavioral health evaluations, crisis interventions, safety planning, and referrals to appropriate resources and services.
• Perform 27-65 evaluations and initiate emergency mental health holds for individuals meeting criteria for involuntary mental health treatment.
• Provide expert clinical judgement in the field to inform LE partner (and other first responders when applicable) and provide the most appropriate intervention at the time of contact.
• Complete accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure proper monitoring and application of the program.
• Facilitate the entire referral process for clients including providing recommendations of best-suited behavioral health services based on client need, transporting individuals to service, and conducting warm handoff to service provider.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation and data standards in recording daily activities, client interactions, and outcomes for client engagements as it relates to set program systems and platforms.
• Provide follow-up based on clinical acuity when appropriate and necessary.
• Participate in team/department meetings, in-service trainings, clinical supervision, and supervisory sessions as required.

This position may require operating outside in potential inclement weather conditions including extreme heat or cold. This position also requires the operation of a city vehicle and could be required to lift equipment and samples weighing up to 30 lbs.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Counseling, Counseling, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in crisis intervention, suicide and risk assessment, verbal de-escalation, and differential diagnosis working with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, substance use, and other at-risk populations or two (2) years experience in a co-response related position.
• Possession of a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) under the provisions of the Colorado Revised Statutes for the State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor or Social Worker Examiners, or a clinical license issued by the Colorado State Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners such as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Equivalent licensure issued in another state may be accepted in lieu of this requirement, provided that the applicant obtains Colorado licensure prior to the start date.
• Must obtain Basic life CPR and First Aid certification within the probationary period.
• Must pass an initial pre-security clearance screening and maintain CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) Security and Privacy certification as a condition of employment.
• Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.

Skills

• Experience with crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments, safety planning and crisis de-escalation, trauma-responsive care, and level of care determination.
• Experience working with unhoused community members, individuals with problematic substance use, individuals diagnosed with a severe and/or persistent mental illness, or those experiencing an active crisis.
• Compassionate about working with the unhoused population with ability to build rapport quickly.
• Experience working in or with the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks for area of licensure, as well as understanding of criteria for mental health care and treatment in Colorado statute (Title 27, Article 65, C.R.S.).
• Experience working in co-response or crisis settings.
• Strong situational awareness and ability to de-escalate situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, internal and external agency leadership, coworkers, and other first responder agencies (PD, EMS, Fire).
• Comprehensive knowledge base of crisis services and mental health/substance use related resources and criteria to access resources within the Denver metro area.
• Possess a proactive mindset, capable of making informed decisions to drive program expansion and foster partnerships with community-based organizations.
• Enjoyment from working outside of the typical office space.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 1 volunteer day per year.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $35.21 - $44.89 per hour. Though the full range is posted as $35.21 - $54.57, our expected hiring range is between $35.21 - $44.89.

Schedule

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. In this position, you can expect to work primarily in the field, with occasional office meetings for departmental/division or administrative purposes. The office for this position is located at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80202.

This position will regularly work either Sunday through Wednesday or Wednesday through Saturday.