Diversion Social Worker

Salary: $51,130.00 - $80,008.00 Annually
Location : Police Station, NC
Job Type: Regular, Full-time
Department: Police
Division: Police-Administration
Opening Date: 10/18/2024
Closing Date: 11/10/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs if they believe they are unable to perform every task on a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The town will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications.
About the Position
The position is primarily responsible for serving as a Diversion Social Worker for the Town of Hillsborough Police Department and with the Community Care and Diversion Response (CCDR) Team, a collaborative, pre-arrest and post-charge diversionary program for individuals with a history of serious mental illness.
The social worker will work in close collaboration with law enforcement officers, CCDR social workers in three other law enforcement agencies in Orange County, and with the clinical coordinator in the Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department. A primary goal for this position is to enhance and increase diversion efforts in the community by steering individuals in need of mental health interventions and treatment away from law enforcement and the criminal legal system through a warm hand-off, developing individualized treatment/service plans with the client, providing case management services for up to ninety days and ensuring treatment referrals to a dedicated CCDR Clinician and Peer Support Specialist at Freedom House. A mission of the CCDR Team is to maximize opportunities for success in diversion with an enhanced focus on serving individuals with mental illness from marginalized backgrounds, including people of color and those experiencing homelessness.
Job Duties
The following duties are representative of this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Works with vulnerable residents in the community to ensure trauma-informed care, supportive case management, that appropriate treatment plans and services are in place and to provide interventions that will enhance the likelihood of long-term well-being.
• Receives referrals from law enforcement officers to calls or interactions regarding people with serious mental illness and people with serious emotional disturbance in order to divert them from the criminal legal systems and into the CCDR program.
• Coordinates and collaborates closely with law enforcement officers to ensure pre-arrest diversion and a warm hand-off for individuals who could be charged with misdemeanor or low-level felony offenses where the underlying issue is primarily mental illness or a co-occurring disorder.
• Responds to calls with law enforcement officers or in lieu of law enforcement in order to deflect individuals from the criminal legal systems and provide diversion opportunities, services and/or connections to treatment. Must be willing to deliver services in varying environments such as homes, jails, shelters, campsites, and various other community locations.
• Provides training and support for the law enforcement agency and its staff, as directed by CHPD supervisors.
• Conducts initial de-escalation and on-site evaluations and works with the CCDR Program Coordinator to create an individualized plan for clients. Interprets needs through a person-centered, trauma informed and intersectional approach.
• Develops treatment/service plans for integrated care and provides care coordination and case management for participants.
• Connects individuals to behavioral health treatment at Freedom House and other services to assist with other needs including, but not limited to, peer support, housing or food insecurities.
• Participates in intensive case-conferencing and a team-based approach to client case management in collaboration with CJRD's CCDR Clinical Coordinator and the Freedom House Team.
• Collaborates with other community resource providers for referrals, information sharing and continuity of care.
• Ensures strict client confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• Coordinates post-charge diversion planning for individuals in the court system with underlying mental health issues in partnership with the District Attorney's office and defense counsel.
• Initiates, completes and maintains program records and documentation in accordance with agency, county and grant policies and procedures.
• Communicates with CCDR Team, law enforcement and the community in a manner that demonstrates cultural sensitivity and professionalism.
• Provides timely and accurate completion of documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
• Adheres to the department's safety rules and regulations.

Position Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Social Work.
• Valid driver's license.
• Work experience in criminal justice field and/or with marginalized populations is preferred.
• Specialized training and education related to Mental Health First Aid, Crisis Intervention Training, racial equity principles and trauma-informed care is preferred.
• Familiarity with local mental health resources is preferred.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Must be able to lift or carry up to 10 pounds.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures and operate a computer terminal.

Supplemental Information
Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care and equity issues as they relate to justice-involved individuals and those with mental illness.
• Thorough knowledge of mental illness, substance use and treatment and supportive services.
• Thorough knowledge of privacy and consent guidelines and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality when working with various records and reports containing personal and medical information.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the principles of advocacy, empowerment and client-centered practices.
• Good knowledge of the various social and health service functions and interrelationships of the county, other governmental agencies and community resources, and the ability to make appropriate referrals.

Skills

• Skill in being client-focused, adept at problem solving and working collaboratively with others.
• Skill in effectively communicating with persons in crisis, difficult situations, and diverse populations.
• Skill at prioritizing work activities and multi-tasking while under pressure.
• Skill in public and interpersonal relations. Strong written and oral communication skills.

Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, while maintaining an ethical standard of care.
• Ability to work effectively, patiently and compassionately with high-risk, high-need individuals, understand the challenges of individuals facing crises, and react calmly and quickly in stressful and/or emergency situations; ability to maintain objectivity in dealing with others who may be under emotional stress.
• Ability to work independently, effectively problem-solve and handle difficult situations and complex decision-making.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with racially and socio-economical diverse populations to express information and ideas clearly and concisely; ability to speak in front of groups ranging in size.
• Ability to read and understand moderately complex written information; ability to interpret and apply county, state and federal regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships and collaborate effectively with court system stakeholders, law enforcement, co-workers, residents, county staff, local agencies, community members, and clients and their family members.
• Ability to endure emotional stress related to the nature of interactions with residents and/or family members who may be hostile or resistant.
• Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment; integrity; resourcefulness; accuracy; thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

A competitive benefits package is provided:

• 12 paid vacation days/year
• 12 paid sick days/year
• 12-13 paid holidays/year
• Employer-paid medical insurance
• Employer-paid dental insurance
• Employer-paid vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Local Government Retirement System
• 401(k) plan with 5 percent contribution by the town
• Longevity pay plan
• Employee Assistance Counseling Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Potential for relocation assistance
• Flexible work schedule (dependent on position and approval)
• Transfer of sick leave from another North Carolina state or local government agency will be considered

Employees have the option to cover their dependents and domestic partner on the town's group policy at their own expense through payroll deduction. The Town may make other group insurance plans available for its employees upon authorization of the board.
01
Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• Some High School
• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

02
Are you currently working as a social worker and if so, in what capacity?
03
Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No
• No, but I can have a valid driver's license upon hire.

04
I have the ability to speak, read, and/or write a language other than English.

• Yes
• No

05
If yes, list the language(s) you speak, read, and/or write.
06
Please describe your experience working with law enforcement and in an inter-jurisdictional collaboration.
07
Please describe your experience providing a person-centered, trauma informed and intersectional response to individuals who are facing misdemeanor or criminal charges with underlying issues of mental illness.
08
Why do you believe that you are a good fit for this position?
Required Question