THE POSITION:
The City of Hayward is excited to announce its recruitment for the position of Mobile Mental Health Clinician. Under general direction, the Mobile Mental Health Clinician provides field and office based professional behavioral health counseling, psychoeducation, outreach and engagement, and case management services as part of the City’s Hayward Evaluation and Response Teams (HEART) Program improving public safety responses to people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders and homelessness.
THE PROGRAM
The Hayward Evaluation and Response Teams (HEART) Program is a cross departmental program between the Hayward City Manager’s Office, Police, and Fire Departments and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services developed to improve access to medical, mental health, and other support services. The HEART program aims to achieve two main goals: 1) to reduce the need for police officers to intervene in calls for service involving people experiencing chronic mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness and 2) to reduce reliance on emergency services for individuals needing long-term case management and follow-up services. HEART consists of three distinct response teams: the Mobile Integrated Health Unit (MIHU) made up of Hayward Fire Department Community Paramedics; the Hayward Mobile Evaluation Team (HMET) which pairs a specially trained Hayward Police Officer with an Alameda County behavioral health clinician; and the Case Management and Mental Health Linkages Team (LINK) consisting of Mobile Mental Health Clinicians and a Lead Program Assistant (Case Manager).
You are:
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
As a member of the LINK team, the ideal candidate has experience providing short term crisis intervention, safety assessments, and other mental health services to adults, youth and children experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders and/or homelessness. They have the ability to work primarily in the field and have the situational awareness to respond alongside emergency response teams. They are knowledgeable about local community resources and skilled at forming relationships quickly.
Essential Duties
What you will do:
Provides direct casework, individual and group therapy; secures and evaluates medical or psychosocial data such as behavior patterns, use of coping skills and family relationships; analyzes factors which exert an adverse effect upon health issues, treatment and recovery which contribute to or are responsible for behavioral health issues and/or affect the potential for recovery and resiliency.
Performs field work to proactively serve the unhoused population, persons with mental illness and others in crisis.
Interprets the social aspects of physical or behavioral health issues to clients, relatives, other behavioral health and medical care staff and appropriate persons or agencies.
Provides crisis intervention as needed; stabilizes clients in crisis including brief intervention in clinic; arranges for hospitalization and coordinates treatment elements.
Assists clients in understanding clinical health challenges and their reaction to them, accepting the need for treatment, building on strengths and working toward the solution of challenges and stresses the importance of engaging in treatment to increase social functioning, modifying unrealistic attitudes, and strengthening client's effort toward satisfactory adjustments.
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with contractors and community organizations and other governmental agencies regarding programs and services; participates in committees, meetings and conferences; provides guidance regarding appropriate social-psychological practices and services.
Compiles and prepares reports and documentation on clinical activities; maintains records; prepares periodic reports.
Identifies emerging trends related to crimes and issues; develops and implements prevention and intervention program approaches; provides community education on current procedures and practices related to mental health and intervention strategies.
Serves as a liaison with law enforcement, school officials, social service agencies, and the general public regarding difficult and/or complex situations related to mental health and social services.
Provides support and guidance to Fire and Police First Responders concerning victim advocacy, juvenile and adult crime, domestic violence, chemical dependency, and other services as needed.
Represents function on committees, outside organizations, other City departments, and outside agencies, as appropriate.
Fosters an environment that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and collaboration.
Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, tolerance and communication.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
CORE COMPETENCIES
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of clinical social work, especially as related to family system counseling and victim advocacy.
Intervention programs, support group facilitation practices, and availability of community social services resources.
Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology.
Cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns.
Methods of sound case management and tracking.
Community needs, resources and organizations related to behavioral health care.
Clinical standards of practice and licensure requirements.
Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
Computer applications related to the work.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Ability to:
Provide intervention, counseling in field locations including but not limited to crime scenes, detention centers, unhoused areas and other field/community locations.
Independently perform professional social services and mental health counseling to the community.
Interpret and explain pertinent service program activities and department policies and procedures.
Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, community resources and organizations.
Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
Interpret, explain, and apply regulations, policies and procedures.
Develop and maintain positive effective working relationships with community groups, organizations, co-workers, City departments and the public.
Analyze, evaluate and make sound decisions.
Prepare clear, concise written reports, letters and memoranda.
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
You have:
Minimum Qualifications
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Two (2) years’ experience working in the social work or counseling field with strong emphasis on social services, resources and referrals using a collaborative and community framework.
Education: A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology, counseling or a related field.
License & Certificates: Possession of a valid professional mental health therapy license issued by the State of California, such as Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Associate Social Worker License (ASW), Intern Marriage Family Therapist (IMFT) or Clinical Psychologist or a closely related field is highly desirable.
Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License.
Candidates must submit a completed City of Hayward job application, which fully describe the nature of their professional experience and qualifications. Applications submitted without all required materials will not be considered.
Based on the information provided, employment applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Those best qualified may be invited to the next phase of the process, which may include an oral, practical, written examination and/or supplemental questionnaires reviewed by subject matter experts.
The examination process will result in a ranked eligible register of candidates for hiring consideration by the department derived from any of the exam processes mentioned above. Actual hire depends on success in the departmental selection process.
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting.
Applicants will be notified electronically via Government Jobs as to their status in the selection process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they can receive email notice from Neogov/Government Jobs and the City of Hayward.
APPLICATIONS
Candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.hayward-ca.gov under the Current Vacancies tab or at www.GovernmentJobs.com. Paper applications can be obtained by visiting the Human Resources Department at Hayward City Hall located at 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. Our on-line application system is provided by Government Jobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Government Jobs Help Desk at (855) 524-5627.
The City of Hayward is an Equal Opportunity Employer
