Clinician - Co-Responder

Description

Department: Police non-sworn

Reports to: Commander - Support Staff

Salary Wage Rate: $58,385.60 - $71,530.20

Benefit Summary

FLSA Status: Full-Time Exempt

Position closes: Midnight, Sunday November 8, 2026

Please Note: Verification of minimum qualification(s) and, if applicable, starting salary/wage is based on information provided in the official application. Resume content will not be used for these purposes. Please ensure your application is complete and accurate.

The City of Cañon City does not provide visa sponsorships. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.)

Position Summary: The Co-Responder Clinician responds alongside law enforcement personnel to behavioral health, mental health, substance use, and crisis-related calls for service within the community. The position provides field-based crisis intervention, emergency behavioral health evaluations, short-term stabilization, referrals to community resources, and follow-up support when appropriate. The Co-Responder Clinician utilizes trauma-informed, person-centered, and strength-based approaches to reduce unnecessary incarceration, hospitalization, and repeat law enforcement contacts while promoting access to appropriate care in the least restrictive environment possible. Follows the appropriate chain of command in the PD for day-to-day operations and with the appropriate licensed personnel for the treatment aspect that an individual may need.

The goals of the Co-Responder Service program are to:

1. Prevent unnecessary incarceration and/or hospitalization of individuals with behavioral health needs.

2. Provide alternate care in the least restrictive environment through a coordinated system wide approach.

3. Reduce duplication of behavioral health services and improve coordination between agencies.

4. Support law enforcement operations by allowing patrol personnel to return to service more efficiently.

5. Enhance long-term community wellness through follow-up services, referrals, and collaborative problem-solving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities*: The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are central to the job or are the reason the position exists, and the employee must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. This list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provides operational oversight of the Co-Responder program.
• Supervises all staff assigned to the Co-Responder program, which includes performance management, hiring and separation recommendations, as well as assignment and oversight of Co-Responder staff work activities.
• Refers to Consulting Clinician and Support Services Commander, when appropriate
• Responds to behavioral health, substance use, suicidal subject, welfare check, and other crisis-related calls alongside law enforcement personnel.
• Conducts field-based crisis intervention, emergency behavioral health evaluations, and risk assessments.
• Provides telephone and short-term face-to-face interventions designed to stabilize individuals in crisis.
• Assesses individuals for appropriate levels of care and coordinates referrals to community treatment providers and support services.
• Provides follow-up services and case coordination when appropriate to support continuity of care.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation utilizing case management software and other approved records management systems.
• Works collaboratively with hospitals, schools, behavioral health providers, advocacy organizations, and other community partners.
• Provides consultation and behavioral health resources to law enforcement personnel.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, steering committees, and program development initiatives.
• Assists with community outreach, education, and training related to behavioral health response and crisis intervention.
• Maintains confidentiality and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional ethical standards.
• Participates in required meetings, training, and continuing education opportunities.
• Refers appropriate cases to the Co-Responder Administrative Clerk for follow-up.
• Responsible for the administration of Julota, or other integrated case management and communication system(s), to record events and outcomes related to active 911 call for service related to behavioral health crisis, follow-up, community referrals, and case management activities.
• Provides community-based crisis assessment and intervention.
• Provides excellent customer service to external and internal customers including but not limited to effectively listening and communicating, providing accurate information, offering solutions, assisting in resolution, and ensuring timely follow up as needed.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities*: The following duties, although not essential to the position, are important components to the smooth and efficient operation of the Division, Department, and City.

• Communicates, collaborates, and creates relationships with multiple collateral agencies, including schools, hospitals, non-profits, family members, etc., and facilitates referrals for needed community-based services and treatment.
• Provides flexibility and accommodation, as needed.
• Serves as an information resource to law enforcement.
• Participates in job-related training sessions and seminars.
• Attends required staff meetings.
• Transports, or arranges for transportation, individuals in crisis, as needed.

* This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The essential and non-essential duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. The below list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all knowledge, skills and abilities that are required.

• Working knowledge of major mental illness, traumatic brain injury, dementia, trauma-informed care, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning and crisis de-escalation.
• Possesses effective organizational skills.
• Possesses knowledge of specific medical/psychiatric illnesses, procedures, and treatments.
• Possesses effective interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Has the ability to provide effective clinical psychosocial assessments and treatment/management protocols.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competency in age specific behaviors.
• Has knowledge of available community resources.
• Ability to interpret police operating procedures with particular reference to emergency response to calls for service involving individuals in crisis.
• Ability to demonstrate effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to advocate/negotiate systems for patients.
• Ability to gather and analyze data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.
• Ability to prioritize decisions based upon multiple criteria and identifiable standards.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of citizens or employees of organizations.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers, and other law enforcement/judicial personnel.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification(s):

Please note, the following are disqualifiers from employment with the Canon City Police Department:

• Any felony convictions.
• Any misdemeanor crimes involving moral turpitude.
• A fugitive from any jurisdiction.
• Arrest history, despite conviction status, for any crime of moral turpitude.

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience working with individuals with mental illness or substance abuse.
• Two (2) years completing psychiatric crisis assessments and formulating treatment plans; at risk assessments and crisis intervention.
• Experience with Trauma-Informed Care.

Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Criminal Justice, or closely related discipline.

Licenses/Certifications

• Must have a valid Colorado Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one within sixty (60) days of hire, with a driving record acceptable to the City of Canon City.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted.

Preferred Qualification(s):

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience working and collaborating with law enforcement officials.
• Two (2) years of experience with Trauma-Informed Care.

Education

• Doctoral Degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Criminal Justice, or closely related discipline.

Licenses/Certifications

• State of Colorado Licensed as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Physical Activities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee will travel within the City of Canon City and Fremont County

• Potential for contact with blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases, as well as potential for contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.
• Majority of work time will be conducted indoors with low noise levels. However, the position may require some work to be performed outdoors or in inclement weather.
• Physical demands of job require some lifting; pulling; carrying and pushing of objects –of up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent bending, simple grasping, finger/manual dexterity, standing, walking, twisting upper body, stooping, and hearing.
• Occasional climbing on stairs.
• Communicates verbally with City staff, outside agencies and the public in one-on-one settings, group settings and over the telephone.
• Routinely requires use of standard office equipment, such as, computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Additional Information:

• This position will typically work Monday – Friday but will flex to working weekends and evenings based on seasonal, organizational or event needs.
• This position may be required to attend occasional City Council meetings and/or other meetings and events after normal work hours.
• Travel within the City of Canon City and Fremont County will be required.
• Frequent extension of work day to meet deadlines is possible.