Court and Community Liaison, Fairhope

About the role

The Probate Court Evaluator & Mental Health Liaison is a master’s-level behavioral health professional responsible for conducting clinical evaluations related to involuntary commitment proceedings, providing expert testimony in Probate Court, and serving as a liaison between the Baldwin County Probate Court, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and the Baldwin County Mental Health Court.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical evaluations for individuals subject to involuntary commitment petitions.
• Affirm the presence of mental illness and/or substance use disorders in accordance with Alabama statutory criteria.
• Evaluate risk factors, level of impairment, and least restrictive treatment alternatives.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports for Probate Court.
• Provide professional testimony regarding clinical findings and treatment recommendations.
• Maintain compliance with all legal, ethical, and documentation standards.
• Serve as primary liaison between Baldwin County Probate Court and inpatient psychiatric facilities.
• Coordinate admission, discharge planning, and continuity of care for court-ordered individuals.
• Ensure timely communication of clinical findings, legal status, and treatment updates.
• Facilitate efficient case processing and reduce delays in care transitions.
• Serve as clinical evaluator and liaison for Baldwin County Mental Health Court.
• Determine program eligibility based on diagnosis, legal criteria, and clinical presentation.
• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments.
• Identify treatment needs, level of care, and service recommendations.
• Develop and coordinate individualized treatment linkage plans.
• Monitor engagement and provide clinical updates to the court as required.
• Respond to community crises at the request of individuals, families, law enforcement, or court officials.
• Conduct on-site mental health and substance use assessments.
• Promote voluntary engagement in treatment whenever possible.
• Divert appropriate individuals from arrest, emergency department utilization, and involuntary commitment when clinically safe.
• Provide consultation to law enforcement regarding behavioral health crises and de-escalation strategies.
• Complete all evaluations, assessments, and court documentation accurately and within required timelines.
• Maintain organized, legally defensible records.
• Track diversion outcomes and system impact data as required.
• Effectively interacts and corresponds with the court and accepts directives when appropriate.
• Assists with court services as needed and helps participants with supports needed to remain in compliance.
• Makes sure consumers are placed in the least restrictive environment.
• Advocates on behalf of the consumer to engage in treatment and secure community resources.
• Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of case management services.
• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
• Actively works to enhance case management skills.
• Courteous and respectful towards consumers, community partners, visitors, and co-workers.
• Treats consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality.
• Pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed.
• Sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations, and individual differences.
• Gentle and calm to consumers and families.

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.
• Licensure: Active Alabama licensure (LMSW, LICSW, LPC, ALC, LMFT, or equivalent) preferred. Independent licensure preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of clinical experience in mental health and/or substance use treatment. Experience conducting diagnostic assessments and risk evaluations. Experience working within court systems, crisis services, inpatient settings, or diversion programs preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use disorders.
• Working knowledge of involuntary commitment statutes and court procedures.
• Ability to provide expert testimony in a clear, professional manner.
• Skilled in crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Strong clinical decision-making and independent judgment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, hospital staff, and community providers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to complete assessments and documentation in a timely and organized manner.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population and/or knowledge of addiction as a primary/secondary illness.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, and/or consumers with substance abuse issues as well as, non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of available community resources.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations regarding appropriate benefit entitlements, such as social security, Medicaid, and Medicare.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Court and its goals.
• Knowledge of Stepping Up and its goals.
• Knowledge of criminogenic needs, definition, and risk factors.
• Knowledge of Law Enforcement protocols.
• Knowledge of court services.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use disorders.
• Working knowledge of involuntary commitment statutes and court procedures.
• Ability to provide expert testimony in a clear, professional manner.
• Skilled in crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Strong clinical decision-making and independent judgment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, hospital staff, and community providers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to complete assessments and documentation in a timely and organized manner.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population and/or knowledge of addiction as a primary/secondary illness.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, and/or consumers with substance abuse issues as well as, non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of available community resources.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations regarding appropriate benefit entitlements, such as social security, Medicaid, and Medicare.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Court and its goals.
• Knowledge of Stepping Up and its goals.
• Knowledge of criminogenic needs, definition, and risk factors.
• Knowledge of Law Enforcement protocols.
• Knowledge of court services.

Benefits

Commensurate with experience.

Pay

TBD

Schedule

TBD