Crisis Counselor, 3rd Shift (Part Time)

Kenosha Human Development Services•Village of Somers, WI

About The Position

The Crisis Counselor provides walk-in, telephone, and mobile interventions to individuals experiencing a mental health emergency. The role also connects clients with community resources and provides follow-up. The position is part-time, scheduled as needed on the third shift, and is based at the Crisis Prevention Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The starting pay is $21.20 per hour. The counselor responds to crises across Kenosha County, assesses urgency and safety needs, helps defuse immediate crisis reactions, and works with involved parties to develop safety plans and facilitate appropriate outcomes. The role includes assessing and authorizing appropriate emergency and county-funded services, supporting placement decisions, responding to detention facilities and crime scenes when requested, and referring or admitting individuals to crisis stabilization services. The position requires accurate and timely documentation, continuing education, clinical supervision, and professional conduct, including confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, and responsiveness to feedback. A bachelor's degree is required. The counselor must complete at least 40 hours of training upon hire and be willing to use a personal vehicle to transport clients.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in English.
Ability to observe, interpret, assess, and document human behavior.
Ability to maintain an active pace for up to an eight-hour shift and frequently traverse the workspace and community.
Professional attitude, strong work ethic, ability to work independently, and ability to maintain personal boundaries.
Complete a minimum of 40 hours of training upon hire.
Willingness to use a personal vehicle to transport clients.
Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license with a good driving record.
Personal auto insurance with coverage of at least 100,000/300,000/100,000.
Ability to maintain records and document case notes daily.
Ability to give and accept feedback as part of a team.
Willingness to learn and work with the treatment philosophies.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Respond to calls in a timely manner, prioritize them as needed, and determine whether phone or on-site intervention is appropriate.
Assess crises, including their elements, degree of danger, and urgency, and obtain assistance when needed.
Defuse immediate crisis reactions; collaborate with involved parties on safety plans, advocacy, and outcomes; and provide supportive listening, feedback, information, and referrals.
Respond to local detention facilities to conduct suicide assessments of targeted inmates.
Refer or authorize county-funded services as appropriate and consult with emergency room staff regarding Kenosha County funding for voluntary placements.
Assess and authorize emergency psychiatric inpatient hospitalization when appropriate; assist law enforcement with involuntary inpatient-care decisions; present suitable alternatives; and assess or assist with voluntary substance-use detox placement.
Assess, refer, or admit clients to the KARE Center for crisis stabilization or to defer emergency hospital admissions, and provide facilitating services such as transportation as needed.
Respond to crime scenes at law enforcement's request, assist police as instructed, support victims and witnesses, provide referrals or immediate services, and develop short-term safety plans.
Complete required continuing education and clinical supervision, and maintain accurate records of task completion.
Complete required documentation promptly, including daily case notes.
Maintain confidentiality and participants' rights, follow HIPAA guidelines for verbal and written communication, maintain professional boundaries, and respond professionally to difficult situations and feedback.
Attend training as requested and perform other duties assigned by supervisors.