Behavioral Health Liason

Program:	Behavioral Health Program		Salary Grade:	GS – 19
Supervisor:	Mental Health & Substance Abuse Director		Salary Range:	$29.31-$35.00
FLSA Status:	X Exempt      Non-Exempt     Public Safety		Position Type:	Regualr-Full Time

Position Description

The Behavioral Health Liaison is a trained mental health and substance use disorder professional embedded with the Fallon Tribal Police Department able to provide intervention, education, outreach, and referrals to service providers to at risk community members in contact with the Tribe, in particular due to public safety related incidents.  Acts as a connection between tribal residents and community resources.  Represents the Police Department and Fallon Tribal Health Center in multiple settings and with various community organizations and supports officer training.

(This position receives policy direction from the Chief of Police and is responsible for advancing those policies directly or through collaborations and referrals to other staff, while overall supervision is by the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Director due the license requirements for the position)

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Provide intervention, referral, advocacy and facilitation services in partnership with the members of the Police Department (and the Crisis Intervention Team when implemented) through referrals and direct contacts with individuals known to have drug or alcohol addiction and/or mental health issues, and others in the community at risk, and who usually are identified through Public Safety encounters.
2. Provide crisis de-escalation and assessment of immediate behavioral health symptoms and needs. Collaborate with Tribal Police Officers on scene to ensure safety of all present. Engage with individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, assess and offer efficient assessment for linkage to continuing care.
3. Provide support for individuals who have mental health disorders and/or co-occurring mental health/substance use disorders to ensure they have appropriate and needed services in place to access care.
4. Refer individuals to appropriate medical, psychiatric, housing and/or behavioral health services utilizing collaborating organizations whenever possible to ensure rapid entrance into programs without delay.
5. Work closely with other substance use and mental health professionals to access and facilitate best care for individuals’ needs.
6. Provide training to members of the Police Department on topics such as mental health issues, substance use disorders, and other non-criminal issues they may encounter.
7. Establish strong working relationships with community providers.
8. Educate members of the Police Department and the community about related recovery resources available in the community and beyond.
9. Maintain statistics and records of client contacts.
10. Arrange for training for all personnel regarding the negative physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions that may occur following a critical incident.
11. Develop policies, procedures, and ordinances for best practices among tribal employees for proactive stress management and mental well-being, mental health crisis holds, etc. in coordination with other tribal resources, such as the Fallon Tribal Health Center and Tribal Administration.
12. Develops a familiarity and connection with local health care providers, education resources, job training programs, housing resources, parenting groups, local schools, after school programs, and family support groups.
13. Tracks relevant case referral and program/patient follow up metrics to determine success of interventions and supports offered to inform future program decisions.
14. Participates in interdisciplinary activities with Police, Health Center, Housing Department, and others tribal community entities identified as partners.
15. Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualification Requirements

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant social science field is required. Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
2. License Requirement: Licensure from the State of Nevada as a LSW, LMSW, LCSW, or LISW; or an equivalent licensure highly preferred. Will consider a license eligible (conditional) candidate.
3. Experience: Experience working in a rural environment with individuals with behavioral health issues or similar experience required. Experience working in a law enforcement environment highly preferred. Experience in working with Native and/or minority communities preferred.
4. Must have the ability to work evenings and/or weekends, when needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

To perform this job, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements, below, are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of the physical, psychological, social and economic effects of substance use disorder and Mental Illness is required.
• Knowledge of homelessness, medical and trauma-based issues required.
• Understanding of social determinants of health and of systems/structures which impede health and wellness in order to successfully advocate for the needs of clients.
• Considerable demonstrated skill to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program participants, other personnel, subordinates, other offices and agencies.
• Skill in operating personal computers and applicable word processing, spreadsheet, database and/or statistical applications may be required.
• Skill in coordinating various programs and projects simultaneously.
• Considerable skill in crisis de-escalation and conflict resolution.
• Ability to assess and provide or refer for immediate crisis intervention services.
• Ability to determine a client’s appropriate level of care and successfully connect individuals to the appropriate services.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative professional relationships with stakeholders, providers and clients.
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to the provision of quality care.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with clients, families, town employees and service providers, while maintaining confidentiality.

Other Requirements

1. This position is covered by the provisions of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (Public Law 101-630), as amended, which requires an investigation of the character of each individual who is employed, or is being considered for employment, in a position with duties and responsibilities that involve regular contact with or control over Indian children. A criminal history investigation will be performed, and the applicant must meet the requirements of the Act.
2. The duties of this position include mandatory reporting pursuant to 1) the Victims of Child Abuse law (34 USC § 20341) and 2) elder and vulnerable person laws (NRS 200.5093), as incorporated by decision of the FBC that elders and those who cannot speak for themselves are entitled to the same protections. Because such laws may subject employees to criminal penalties under FPSTLOC § 5-50-040 and/or 18 U.S.C. §§ 1169 and 2258, all employees hired to this position must complete a Mandatory Reporter training within 90 days of hire.

Employment Information

Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and Native American/Indian Preference:  Employment preferences to members of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone and to members of federally-recognized Indian Tribes shall apply to this position pursuant to the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.  Persons of Tribe and/or Indian ancestry and wish to claim these employment preferences should submit a copy of the Tribal Enrollment Card/Certification indicating the name of the Tribe they are enrolled with.

U.S. Veteran’s Preference:  Preference to opportunities to veterans honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces shall apply to this position pursuant to the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national original, sex, religious preference, age, handicap, marital status, political preference, genetics or membership or non-membership in any employee organization, except as allowed by Federal and/or Tribal Law.

Drug Free Workplace:  The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe is a drug-free workplace.  All employees are subject to a pre-employment and random drug screens.

Driving Record:  Employees who drive tribal vehicles must have a valid Nevada Driver’s License, be insurable under the Tribe’s vehicle insurance program, and must also provide a DMV printout annually.

Background Checks:  All employees must be able to pass a background check per the Tribe’s Background Check Policy.

Position Description Limitations:  This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Tribe and the employee, and is subject to change by the Council as the needs of the Tribe and the requirements of the job change.  This position description is not intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by any employee in this position and is not intended to reflect all duties performed within the position.