DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is an important mental health position responsible for coordinating the Putnam County Suicide Prevention Task Force’s LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team. Responsibilities include the planning, coordination and implementation of services provided through the initiative. Work involves responding to and/or deploying LOSS Team volunteer responders to scenes of suicides, in order to provide immediate emotional support and resources to impacted individuals. Work is performed under the Supervision of the Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Manages the activation and deployment of team responders to scenes of suicides to provide initial on-scene support and resources to suicide loss survivors and individuals impacted by a suicide and/or incident;
• Provide information and referral services to individuals and families;
• Follows up with and provides continued outreach to suicide survivors and impacted individuals, when appropriate;
• Maintains scheduling and ensures volunteer coverage for on-scene responses;
• Participates in debriefings and provides emotional support to LOSS Team members before and after incidents of suicide;
• Recruits, trains, and supervises volunteer team members to ensure effective team operations;
• Attends scheduled meetings between the Department of Social Services and Mental Health,  Putnam County’s Suicide Prevention Task Force, community stakeholders and other community agencies/providers as required;
• Attends identified trainings;
• Develops policies and procedures for the program and responders in accordance with the LOSS Team model, grant requirements, applicable laws and codes;
• Provides any appropriate community outreach and attends events to promote awareness about suicide prevention;
• Compiles and submits information, reports, and statistics as needed;
• Maintain necessary documentation and records in accordance with program requirements;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of crisis intervention methods, critical incident response, mental health crises and suicide dynamics; thorough knowledge of community service agencies and programs that offer grief counseling and support to individuals coping with loss; thorough knowledge of professional principles and code of ethics; ability to remain calm in high-stress situations; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to work effectively with diverse populations; ability to establish and maintain effective relations with community agencies; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to plan, organize, coordinate, administer and evaluate the effectiveness of programs; ability to plan and supervise the work of others; good judgment; empathy; compassion; good judgment; tact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Master’s Degree or higher in psychology, human development, social work, mental health, or closely related field and three (3) years of experience with a public or private agency adhering to acceptable standards in social work involving crisis intervention, crisis response, suicide prevention and/or case management; or
2. Bachelor’s Degree or higher in psychology, human development, social work, mental health, or closely related field and five (5) years of experience with a public or private agency adhering to acceptable standards in social work involving crisis intervention, crisis response, suicide prevention and/or case management.

EDUCATION NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possession of a valid, unrestricted, appropriate level driver’s license, and acceptable driving record are required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
2. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to respond to emergency situations.

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Competitive Class