POSTING DATE: April 11, 2023
RESUME AND COVER LETTER REQUESTED BY 05/09/23 VIA EMAIL TO employment@cambridgema.gov Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply.

 

Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply.

 

Department:Community Safety

Job Title:Crisis Response Specialist (2 positions)

Job Code:M652-001, M652-002

Civil Service Position:Non Civil Service position

Union Affiliation:None

Hours Per Week:37.5 hours per week, shift work, days, and evenings

ABOUT THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE:

 

The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that 120,000 residents of different ethnic, racial, religious, U.S. nationals and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our City's diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve -- one in which all employees can thrive. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. In joining our team, you would work in a workplace environment that advances and values antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and that is committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT/ROLE:

The City of Cambridge is looking for Crisis Response Specialists to staff two (2) crisis response teams as part of the Cambridge Community Safety Department (CSD), an evidence-informed program rooted in harm reduction and trauma-informed response principles that will provide behavioral health crisis response services to the City of Cambridge. The CSD will work toward operating 7 days a week and will respond to non-violent behavioral health and/or homelessness crises. Reporting to the Program Coordinator and the Director of Community Safety, the Crisis Response Specialists will respond as a two-person team to non-violent behavioral health and/or homelessness crisis calls as they are received by Cambridge Emergency Communications (911). Teams will use their combined training, department policies, knowledge, and lived experiences to provide immediate support. Crisis Response Specialists may utilize applicable training to provide psychological and physical health evaluation to community members in crisis. This is a new Department that will be consistently adapting the model based on data collected over time. The CSD will embody a growth mindset with a culture of constantly learning and growing. The ideal candidate will bring flexibility, eagerness to learn and a willingness to shift approaches as new data is collected.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific duties/responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Respond to behavioral health and/or homelessness crises utilizing harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles in a variety of community settings.
• Provide non-judgmental, unconditional support to patients/clients.
• Assess individuals in crisis for immediate safety and stabilization needs.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect the boundaries of community members experiencing emotional distress.
• Engage with individuals that are intoxicated or under the influence of controlled substances.
• Engage with individuals that are experiencing acute mental distress.
• Make appropriate level of care decisions on-scene and communicate these decisions with related agencies.
• Create relationships with related agencies to facilitate high quality care and resource provision.
• Refer and link individuals to community resources as appropriate.
• Follow training and protocols to safely de-escalate behavioral health crisis situations.
• Collaborate with other first responders to manage and navigate emergency scenes.
• Partner with family members or relevant parties involved during the management of a crisis event.
• Maintain appropriate paperwork, strict adhesion to confidentiality, documentation, and record-keeping requirements.
• Contact public safety agencies such as EMS and law enforcement as necessary.
• Seek assistance from and report incidents to Program Coordinator as applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned that may be inherent to the position.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience/License/Certifications

• Experience in crisis intervention.
• Must be CPR and First Aid certified on date of employment or within 60 days of employment and maintain current certification throughout employment.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Sensitivity to multi-cultural populations and their experiences and perspectives.
• Ability to quickly create rapport with community members, and to navigate encounters with professionalism when attempts at rapport are challenging.
• Working knowledge of major mental illness, personality disorders, traumatic brain injury, dementia, complex trauma, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning and crisis de-escalation.
• Ability and eagerness to spend time outdoors and in the community with vulnerable individuals, some of whom are experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to work independently yet collaboratively towards a common goal.
• Ability to learn and help navigate all applicable resources with patients/clients.
• Ability to maintain strong professional boundaries.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Some familiarity with psychiatric conditions, crisis de-escalation, and recovery principles.
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong awareness of local social service providers/community resources.
• Experience as a licensed EMT or Paramedic.
• Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing significant mental illness.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing substance abuse.
• Experience in violence prevention.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to climb stairs and move in any type of terrain. Occasionally lift or drag at least 125 lbs. Squat, stand, or kneel for prolonged periods of time. Maintain focus and composure when around bodily fluids. Ability to operate a cell phone, radio, and computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily in the field. Field work may include performing duties in hazardous areas, such as streets, medians, homeless encampments, wooded areas, alleys, confined spaces, and around potential biohazards such as used needles and human waste. This position involves exposure to individuals in varying degrees of distress.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Summary of Benefits: Health, dental and vision insurance; vacation, personal and sick days; sick incentive pay eligibility; management allowance of $2700/year; City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

 

RATE: $29.99 - $35.15 per hour

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Internal applicants submit a job bidding form and 2 copies of both your resume and cover letter; external applicants submit both your resume and cover letter via email to: employment@cambridgema.gov or to the Personnel Dept, Room 309, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA  02139. Fax 617-349-4312.  Resume and cover letter requested by 05/09/23. Position will remain open until filled. 

 

THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED CATEGORY. WOMEN, MINORITIES, VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CITY OF CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES, WRITTEN MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS, AND REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WILL BE PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FREE OF CHARGE, UPON REQUEST. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.