Suicide Prevention Specialist

the Great Plains Veterans Services Center•Rocky Boy's Agency, MT

About The Position

The Suicide Prevention Specialist works under the direction of the Veterans Support Services Manager to coordinate suicide-prevention activities, risk screening, safety planning, intervention support, wellness outreach, partnership development, and eligibility determination throughout the Veterans Support Services (VSS) service area. The role provides non-clinical services intended to reduce suicide risk, strengthen protective factors, and improve Veterans’ and their families’ access to care, resources, and community support. The Specialist also supports documentation, reporting, and grant compliance for VSS. The Specialist works closely with Veterans, GPVSC case managers, tribal entities, healthcare and behavioral-health providers, crisis-response organizations, VA resources, and community partners. Work takes place in office, community, virtual, and field settings and includes regular interaction with Veterans, families, partners, and the public. The role may involve emotionally difficult or crisis-related situations involving suicide risk, trauma, or grief. Travel within GPVSC service areas and occasional overnight travel are required. A valid Montana driver's license and successful completion of a driver's history check are required. Successful applicants are subject to drug testing and background checks. The position is based in Rocky Boy, Montana, is full-time and non-exempt, and pays $23.32–$28.43 DOE. Veterans Preference and American Indian Preference apply. The position is open until filled.

Requirements

Education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public health, social work, behavioral health, or a related field.
Two years of experience in suicide prevention, behavioral-health support, Veteran services, case management, public health, community outreach, or related human-services work.
Knowledge of suicide-prevention principles, risk and protective factors, crisis-intervention support, postvention practices, trauma-informed approaches, and Veteran-centered service delivery.
Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with people experiencing emotional distress or crisis-related situations while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Ability to develop safety plans, coordinate timely services, work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain accurate documentation and grant-compliance records.
Valid Montana driver's license and successful completion of a driver's history check.
Successful completion of drug testing and background checks.

Responsibilities

Conduct suicide-risk screenings and coordinate timely support, referrals, and warm handoffs for Veterans identified as being at risk.
Develop and maintain individualized safety plans, including crisis resources and lethal-means safety conversations, consistent with training and GPVSC policy.
Support crisis-intervention and postvention coordination, advocate for Veterans during referral processes, and strengthen organizational response following suicide-related crises or deaths.
Identify social isolation and other social determinants of health and connect Veterans with peer support, GPVSC activities, healthcare, housing, benefits, transportation, financial assistance, and other resources.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with tribal organizations, healthcare providers, Veteran agencies, crisis-response organizations, and community partners.
Provide suicide-prevention education and awareness activities for Veterans, staff, community partners, and the public, including trauma-informed approaches, warning signs, protective factors, coping skills, and available supports.
Support organizational suicide-prevention planning, policy development, outreach, coalition participation, and public-awareness activities.
Determine program eligibility, complete enrollment activities, and maintain timely and accurate records, data tracking, outcome measures, reports, and grant-compliance documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of GPVSC's mission and program goals.