Police Social Worker/ Mobile Crisis Responder

Lake County•Waukegan, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lake County Government is seeking a motivated individual for the role of Police Social Worker/Mobile Crisis Responder within the Sheriff's Mobile Response Team for Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COaST). This team actively engages with the community, dispatching skilled professionals to respond to urgent crises. The role involves providing essential crisis intervention services to individuals and their families, utilizing techniques such as de-escalation, stabilization, and connecting them to appropriate levels of care. The team, composed of a Sheriff's Deputy and a Mobile Crisis Responder, assists community members experiencing mental health or substance abuse crises. Team members may also have the opportunity to supervise social work interns. The goal is to address crises collaboratively, often mitigating situations before they escalate into life-threatening scenarios or detainable offenses, thereby fostering a safer community.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work or the ability to obtain a Master's Degree in Social Work within 12 months of appointment.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) designation or the ability to obtain LSW designation from the State of Illinois within 12 months of appointment.
Minimum licensure must be maintained at all times.
Experience with behavioral health treatment planning and mental health assessments.
Experience with interventions for individuals affected by alcohol and drug addiction.
Demonstrates cultural competency in providing services to low-income disadvantaged populations.
Have a valid driver's license.
A basic working knowledge of Microsoft applications (i.e., Word/Excel).
Normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking abilities.
Must pass mandatory background checks, which include pre-employment drug screening and polygraph.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) is preferred.
Previous experience in crisis intervention and providing mental health services to individuals and families.
Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Responsibilities

Mobile crisis response coverage over the telephone and/or in person.
Evaluate and assess clients for level of care.
Prepare and implement treatment plans with clients.
Create stabilization plans with the client and link the client to the appropriate level of care.
De-escalation of persons in crisis.
Maintain counseling records, prepare reports, and other recommendations based on data analysis to evaluate and enhance program effectiveness.
Supervise interns in the capacity of social workers.