Jail Diversion Specialist

Community House is looking to fill the position of Jail Diversion Specialist.

Employment Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30 am -4:30pm

Program Summary (may fluctuate):

The Legal Intervention and Network of Care (LINC) Program is a prosecutorial diversion program that provides behavioral health treatment in lieu of prosecution for individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, have been booked into jail for misdemeanors and low-level felonies, and have a history of legal competency being raised. LINC serves adults with behavioral health conditions who have been referred by prosecutors who are willing to dismiss or not file charges if individuals agree to work with LINC. The program is short-term, and is designed to connect individuals to long term mental health and/or substance use treatment and social services resources. Individuals do not have to be Medicaid enrolled to be eligible for LINC, and can be served by other agencies at the same time as LINC participation. The team provides individualized outreach case management to connect participants to resources including housing and/or shelters, DSHS and SSI benefits, food, transportation, and legal support.

Jail Diversion Specialist Job Summary (may fluctuate):

This position works as part of a team to provide LINC services, to meet established LINC Program goals, and to establish long term community support for clients in offsite settings which may include jails, shelters, Social Security and DSHS administrative buildings, streets, and offices. LINC Specialists work with a small caseload in order to provide intensive outreach case management with individuals in the community. The LINC team utilizes a harm-reduction and trauma-informed approach.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Master’s Degree in social services field preferred or Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years of experience.

2. Mental Health Professional (MHP) status preferred.

3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with community mental health, individuals with severe and persistent mental illness who come into contact with local criminal justice system is essential.

4. Two years’ experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, individuals with chronic substance use issues, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system is preferred; at least six months’ experience working with courts and defendants is recommended.

5. A working knowledge of co-occurring behavioral health issues is preferred.

6. A working understanding of systemic inequities the population experiences from a social justice framework.

Skills Required:

1. Expertise with Co-Occurring disorders and Forensic background is a necessary part of the position; individuals who do not have some aspect of this experience will be considered, and training will be provided upon hire.

2. An understanding of case management approaches to provide services to individuals with psychiatric disability.

3. Good working knowledge of community and social service resources in King County and Washington State.

4. Familiarity with state and local mental health delivery systems, including knowledge of various funding principles and clinical service mandates.

5. Ability to organize ones’ own work, to work independently and to initiate collegial, supervisory, and consultative work.

6. Capacity to appreciate and work well with individuals who have high mental health needs and maybe experiencing homelessness and living in extreme poverty.

7. Good diagnostic assessment skills.

8. The ability and skills to work as a team member and understand the criminal justice system.

9. Working knowledge of Mental Health Courts, Jail systems and behavioral dynamics of individuals who become incarcerated, is essential.

10. Cultural competency and a working understanding of providing culturally responsive and culturally informed services, including a commitment to the City of Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative and the King County Equity and Social Justice Initiative.

Salary: $50,000/DOE

Community House is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from female and minority candidates.