Mental Health Therapist II - Parks & Recreation

WellPower provides you with the support you need to help you develop a career in helping others succeed. We innovate, adapt, and leverage the diverse perspectives of the people on our team and the people we serve in everything we do.

WellPower values and is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to ending bias and discrimination in our community and ensuring equity within all aspects of our organization. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, transfer, or promotion opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The Co-Responder program consists of a partnership between the Denver Police Department (DPD) and WellPower. The Co-Responder program supports an overall effort to expand specialized law enforcement and behavioral health strategies tailored to meet the needs of people with behavioral/mental health concerns in the Denver community. The Co-Responder Unit aims to reduce the number of people with mental health issues in the jail system; to improve information sharing and coordination, as appropriate, across systems and service providers; and to reduce overall costs relating to people with mental or behavioral health concerns, including the use of emergency services.  Clinicians work in close partnership with the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Denver Sherriffs Department, Parks & Recreation, and Regional Transportation District (RTD) responding to calls involving people who suffer from mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use issues.  Clinicians are trained to assist people in crisis and provide the most effective services for resolution. Clinicians and officers collaborate to provide treatment in a format that best decreases current stressors and replaces them with long term community-based supports. Co-Responders also help identify community resources, alternative treatment options, and long-term community supports in any area identified by the individual. 

Pay Range & Benefits:

• Mental Health Therapist II (Masters):  $28.89/hr (WellPower provides free licensure supervision)
• LAC - plus $1/hr
• Language Differential: $1-$2.50

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Respond to mental Health related 911 calls and provide psychological evaluations/problem identification, crisis interventions, referrals and linkage to resources for consumers who are not arrested.
• Provide case management services to clients as needed or assigned as part of response to mental health related 911 calls.
• Develop crisis related treatment plans.
• Provide psychological consultation while responding to mental health related calls.
• Coordinate client's use of other city programs and outside community resources.
• Coordinate medication/medicinal needs of clients with psychiatrists, nurses, and other medical sources as part of crisis resolution.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records consistent with WellPower standards.
• Participate in team/department meetings, in-services, and supervisory sessions as required.
• Perform 27-10 (M-1) “mental health hold” evaluations in the community while responding to mental health related 911 calls.
• Maintain a trauma informed environment of wellbeing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 Requirements & Qualifications:

 Education: Master's Degree in social work, psychology, or similar field.         

Experience:   Minimum of two years’ experience in clinical social work. Experience working with moderate to severe and persistently mentally ill populations.

• This position requires additional background checks through the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division to be cleared to work alongside law enforcement officers.
• This position requires the individual to wear a bulletproof vest for the entire shift. The safety of our team members is a priority, and wearing a vest may be necessary when responding to specific situations involving law enforcement or other high-risk environments.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Denver Police Department: May require occasional evening, weekend or on-call hours.  Some local travel depending on position. Will ride with Denver Police Department (in coordination with 911 communication center) in response to mental health related 911 calls.  Some local travel may be required.

Denver Sheriff’s Department   Will receive referrals and/or ride with Denver Sheriffs in response to civil support within Denver, including but not limited to evictions where behavioral health needs require assistance as well as and probate court pick-up orders. Will develop and follow up with long-term plans for individuals contacted as appropriate. Some local travel may be required.

Denver Fire Department:  Will receive referrals from Denver Fire Department in response to mental health-related 911 calls where the fire department is primary and there is a presenting behavioral health need  Will develop and follow up with long-term plans for individuals contacted as appropriate.  Will work towards developing a system to respond on the scene as requested by Denver Fire Department and in coordination with 911 communications center. Some local travel may be required.

Denver Parks Department: Will respond with Denver Park Rangers on locations that fall under their scope where behavioral health needs are required. Some local travel may be required.

RTD Team: Will ride with RTD officers in response to mental health related 911 calls.  Some local travel depending on position.

Why else might you want to consider working at WellPower?

• Named Top Workplace - we have been named a Top Workplace by the Denver Post for 11 consecutive years
• Champion Social Justice Causes - we are committed to ending anti-Black racism in our community
• 9 Paid Holidays – including Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and more
• Robust Benefits Package – our benefits start at 30 hours per week and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a retirement match
• Employee Resource Groups – our ERG’s offer a chance to connect, address workplace challenges and get support from individuals who share similar characteristics or life experiences
• Gainsharing – we offer a bonus to employees if the organization meets certain requirements for the year
• $53,435.00/year minimum wage for all employees – we believe that our employees should earn a livable wage conducive to the cost of living in Denver, Colorado
• Free Licensure Supervision – for LCSWs/LPCs/LMFTs
• Sports Leagues – we offer a variety of activities for our employees, including bowling, dragon boat racing, volleyball leagues, and more

Tuberculosis (TB) screening, testing  -  TB  screening and testing, is required and must be completed prior to hire ( i.e., preplacement), and maintained during employment

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