Public Safety Counselor - SR-26

County of Hawai`i•Future vacancies with immediate vacancy in Hilo, HI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Serves as a staff counselor for the Hawai‘i County Police Department and its members. The role provides individual, couples, and family counseling; assessment-related activities; operational support; and organizational and management consultation, along with other related duties. There is one immediate permanent, full-time vacancy with the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Administrative Services Division in Hilo. The eligible list may be used to fill additional permanent and temporary vacancies during the life of the list; temporary appointments may lead to permanent appointments. The position provides brief counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, and on-call emergency counseling services for department employees, their families, HPD command, and police operations. Services may be provided by telephone or in person, including at police or fire incidents, crime scenes, and department offices. The counselor develops policies, procedures, training, and counseling materials; coordinates with health care providers and agencies; maintains service documentation; and maintains recruits’ psychological evaluation pass/fail test results. The role also supports the PEER Support and Chaplain Corp. and requires work-related travel by motor vehicle. Applicants must have a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Social Work, Clinical Psychology, or a related field, and two years of mental health program experience providing counseling and crisis intervention, including some experience working with first responders. A valid Hawai‘i Class 3 driver license or comparable license is required, as is a current Hawai‘i LSW or MHC license at the time of filing. The position requires knowledge of public safety work and its stressors, crisis services, confidentiality, applicable laws, and community resources, as well as the ability to work independently, communicate sensitively, and function effectively in a paramilitary environment. Physical effort grouping is Light; applicants must meet the health and physical condition standards needed to perform essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Social Work, Clinical Psychology, or a related field.
Two years of work experience in a mental health program providing counseling and crisis intervention, including some experience working with first responders.
Possess a current State of Hawai‘i Social Worker License (LSW) or Mental Health Counselor License (MHC) at the time of filing.
Possess a valid State of Hawai‘i Class 3 driver license or another valid comparable driver license; the license must be submitted at hire.
Knowledge of the essential functions, working conditions, and common stressors of public safety personnel and organizations.
Knowledge of normal and abnormal adaptation and responses to occupational stress and trauma, and research related to resilience and recovery in public safety personnel.
Knowledge of confidentiality and testimonial privilege considerations when providing services to public safety personnel or agencies.
Knowledge of interactive theories and principles for complex and volatile situations, appropriate solutions, and response techniques for emotionally distressed individuals.
Knowledge of community mental health and crisis services, applicable state and federal laws related to individual rights, community resources and referral services, and third-party rights to private information.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to work with first responder personnel with empathy and understanding of their experiences and points of view.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with department personnel, community members, law enforcement and other first responder agencies, and vendor representatives.
Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively in person, by phone, and in writing with peers, supervisors, citizens, agencies, entities, and community resources.
Ability to understand first responder culture, procedures, and general orders, and to function effectively within a paramilitary environment.
Ability to develop and implement standards, policies, and procedures for evaluating, counseling, and referring employees with personal, family, or work-related issues.
Ability to use equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments, including a computer terminal, video equipment for telehealth, tape recorders, photocopier, fax machine, police radio, typewriter, and telephone.
Meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Submit required supporting documentation with the application, including official transcripts and professional license documentation; foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official transcript or credential evaluation establishing U.S. equivalency.

Responsibilities

Provide counseling and help department personnel access community mental health services, including crisis lines and law-enforcement response hotlines.
Provide brief professional counseling to law enforcement employees and their families.
Develop policies and procedures for counseling services supporting the Hawai‘i County Police Department.
Provide counseling interventions for department personnel when necessary, including at police and fire incidents, crime scenes, and division or unit offices.
Apply counseling principles, methods, techniques, theories, and modalities.
Use counseling measurements and resources to help individuals, couples, and families build coping and resiliency skills.
Provide 24-hour, on-call emergency counseling, consultation, and assistance by telephone or in person to HPD command, employees, and police operations.
Recommend and refer individuals for further treatment, including referral when needs exceed the County’s scope of service.
Research, develop, and implement counseling materials on topics such as trauma, children’s activities, parenting, couples work, and workplace conflict management and resolution.
Develop and deliver training to Hawai‘i County employees on counseling skills, stress management, suicide prevention, and related topics.
Assist PEER Support and Chaplain Corp. services as necessary.
Coordinate care with other health care providers and agencies as necessary.
Maintain relevant documentation of services in accordance with the Manual of Operations.
Maintain psychological evaluation pass/fail testing results for recruits.
Operate a motor vehicle for work-related travel.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package, subject to eligibility requirements.
Flexible working arrangements may include alternate work schedules such as 4-10 schedules and flexible working hours; availability depends on department and position eligibility.
Vacation accrual of up to 21 days per year.
Sick leave accrual of up to 21 days per year.
13 paid holidays per year, plus General Election Day when applicable.
Training and development opportunities.
County tuition reimbursement program.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Employees’ Retirement System defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees and beneficiaries.
Voluntary deferred compensation retirement savings plan with tax-deferred contributions.
Flexible Spending Plan for qualified dependent care or medical expenses and insurance premiums.
Health benefit plans for eligible employees.
Employee Assistance Program offering free, confidential professional assistance to employees and family members.
Free group life insurance policy for active employees.
Credit union membership.
Potential eligibility for additional leave, including family, funeral, leave sharing, military, donor, victims protection, parent-teacher conference, disaster relief, blood bank donation, and jury duty leave.