Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist

Provide resource coordination and short-term case management services for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges who are referred following contact with the Police or Fire department. This position is primarily performed onsite, located at the Minnetonka Police Department (14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN  5534) and requires travel throughout Minnetonka and, at times, other areas of Hennepin County. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend hours for community engagement events.

This position is funded through a grant and is currently authorized for a two-year term. Continued employment beyond the grant period is contingent upon future funding and organizational needs.

• Conduct follow-up outreach to individuals and families identified through the Minnetonka Police or Fire Department who could benefit from behavioral health or social service interventions, including therapy referrals, basic needs assistance, housing, substance use treatment, transportation or other supports.
• Maintain a select caseload for short-term case management where there is a need for specialized, continuing support, or where connection to county case management is not available.
• Provide services to individuals and families where a member has mental, emotional, or physical disabilities, as well as those experiencing complex social or financial struggles. Services will be provided over the phone or in person at either the Minnetonka Police Department or in the community.
• Maintain regular communication with individuals, treatment providers, and partner agencies as necessary to support successful service engagement.
• Work closely with the department’s social worker to ensure continuity of care and coordinated service delivery.
• Maintain case records and documentation within the department’s records management system in accordance with Minnesota Data Practices requirements and department policy.
• Participate in multidisciplinary community support meetings and consult with internal and external partners as needed.
• Review adult protection reports received by the Police or Fire Department and offer support or resources as appropriate.
• Provide outreach and resources to individuals identified by the Minnetonka Fire Department as having excessive emergency response calls for lift assists or medical services.
• Assist with grant reporting including maintaining necessary case referral and outcome data.
• Complete ongoing professional development through attending training and/or conferences to remain current on relevant best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• This position performs work in office, community, residential and field environments. 
• Duties require travel throughout the community, occasional evening or weekend work, and frequent interaction with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, substance use, and housing instability. 
• The position requires the ability to safely conduct home and community visits independently

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in social work, human services, criminal justice or related field.
• Three years of experience providing direct support to individuals with mental health, substance use, housing or other basic needs resources.
• Experience with community resource coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Experience effectively interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Network Certification and pass the CJIS Competency Exam. Annual certification is required to continue employment.
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required to travel within the metro area to meet with individuals in their homes and to perform authorized off-site work duties.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice or a closely related field.
• Professional experience collaborating with law enforcement, emergency services, hospitals or crisis response programs.
• Completion of the MN Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
• Familiarity with Hennepin County behavioral health resources and community service providers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Behavioral health systems and community resources within Hennepin County which address mental health, substance use disorders, housing, and other basic needs.
• Mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Trauma-informed and person-centered approaches.
• Motivational interviewing, de-escalation techniques, and crisis intervention principles.
• Confidentiality requirements and applicable data privacy laws.
• Diversity of cultural and lifestyle experiences, beliefs, and practices.

Ability to:

• Establish good rapport and working relationships with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals including law enforcement and other internal and external partners.
• Effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Exercise sound judgment while working independently and use consultation when appropriate.
• Manage multiple cases simultaneously while maintaining accurate and timely documentation.
• Navigate complex service systems and advocate for clients effectively.
• Work effectively in a law enforcement environment, including riding with officers and working within a police facility.
• Remain calm and professional in the presence of uniformed officers, weapons and potentially high-stress or emotionally intense situations.
• Function in fast-paced, unpredictable, and challenging situations calling for sensitivity, flexibility, resourcefulness and independent judgment.

Physical Requirements: 
Occasional lifting up to 10 pounds; frequent sitting, speaking, hearing, and use of hands; and occasional standing, walking, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and repetitive motion. Standard vision and hearing are required. Work involves preparing and analyzing written or electronic information, operating standard office equipment and observing general surroundings and activities. The position may involve occasional exposure to environmental conditions and is generally performed in a moderately noisy environment.

Job Posting Opens	July 29th
Job Posting Closes	August 11th
Applications under review	August 12 - 15th
Round 1 Interviews	Week of August 17th
Round 2 Interviews	Week of August 24th (if needed)
Conditional Job Offer	August 31st
Backgrounds/Onboarding	September
Start Date	October