Mental Health Professional - Limited Duration Three-Year Term

Port of Seattle • SeaTac, WA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a limited duration position, expected to last no longer than three years. The Mental Health Professional will work alongside the Port of Seattle Police Department’s (POSPD) Officers and Crisis Care Coordinator to support the unsheltered community and those in crisis. Responsibilities include facilitating connections to local resources and services, coordinating case management with POSPD, and accompanying law enforcement officers to assist individuals with mental health, substance use, homelessness, and other social service needs. The role involves providing outreach, engagement, and support, making referrals to service providers, promoting best practices in treatment approaches, advocating for needs, and liaising between individuals, caregivers, and service providers. The professional will follow up with identified individuals and service providers, study and analyze program participation, prepare recommendations and reports for program improvement, review statistical data, and identify future trends. Additionally, the role includes providing information, consultation, and referral for officers and staff, determining the appropriateness of service contracts, conducting training sessions for officers and staff on dealing with the target population and social service resources, and potentially providing information to courts and testifying in legal proceedings.

Requirements

• Pass a background investigation that includes a complete criminal records check, a polygraph examination, a medical examination and a psychological examination.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one, prior to your start date.
• Establish a residence in Washington state within 30 days of their first day of employment and must maintain a residence in Washington State during their employment.
• Pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check as well as a criminal history background check with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Obtain a Port of Seattle ID badge upon clearance.
• Obtain a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Customs Seal within 30 days of hire.
• Obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) within the first three months of employment.
• Two (2) years of experience working in behavioral health, chemical dependency, and/or with unsheltered populations.
• Possess a Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field.
• Hold one or more of the following licenses active in the State of Washington: Advanced Social Worker, Independent Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor.
• Apply equity and exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices in all aspects of the work.
• Knowledgeable in Mental Health: Ability to identify symptoms of behavioral and social characteristics affecting populations served. Understanding of methods and philosophies related to providing social services and community service programs related to mental health challenges, homelessness and substance reliance.
• Problem Solver: Skilled in identifying the best solutions to address problems, apply conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to result in the best possible outcomes.
• Personable Communicator: Possess excellent verbal and written communications skills, public speaking skills, and ability to provide presentations and facilitation. Ability to communicate with diverse populations and address issues on a spectrum of social needs.
• Analytical: Effectively prepare reports and present findings as well as analyze programs, policies, and procedures to meet operational needs.

Nice To Haves

• Five (5) or more years of experience working with individuals with mental illness, homelessness, and/or chemically dependent.
• Awareness of available local resources in and around the area.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside POSPD Officers and Crisis Care Coordinator in support of the unsheltered community and those in crisis.
• Facilitate connections to local resources/services and coordinate case management with POSPD.
• Accompany law enforcement officers to assist individuals with mental health, substance use, people experiencing homelessness and other social service needs.
• Provide outreach, engagement, and support to individuals in need and make referrals to appropriate service providers.
• Promote best practices in treatment approaches, support systems and interventions.
• Advocate needs and liaise between individuals, caregivers, and service providers.
• Follow up with identified individuals and/or emergency medical contacts and social service providers.
• Study and analyze program participation, prepare recommendations and reports for improving existing and development of new programs.
• Review statistical data and identify future trends and prepare data for reports and outcome summaries.
• Provide information, consultation and referral for officers and staff, determining the appropriateness of a service contract or agreement with professionals with expertise in crisis case management.
• Conduct training sessions for officers and staff on methods for dealing with population served, and training on social service resources.
• Provide information to courts and attorneys, may attend, and testify at court hearings or other legal proceedings, as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care with options that work for you and your family.
• Paid Vacation – Just about four weeks per year that increases with tenure.
• Paid Sick Leave – At least one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
• Holidays – More than ten days per year.
• Pension/Retirement Plans – A pension and additional savings plans.
• Getting to Work – Subsidized parking and a low-cost public transit card to alternative work arrangements giving you an opportunity to work hybrid.
• Parental Leave – Six weeks of paid leave to spend with new additions to your immediate family.
• Development – Tuition reimbursement, training, stretch assignments and internal internships.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level