Police Licensed Clinical Social Worker

City Of Torrington

Location/Dept: Torrington Police Department

Reports To: Chief of Police or his designee

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000 depending upon experience.

Management Resolution/Non-Bargaining Unit

Position Status: Full time

Weekly Hours: 40    

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary/Purpose: Provides 24-hour crisis intervention assistance to the Police Department in handling critical incidents and/or traumatic events and perform short-term individual and family counseling to police department employees. A licensed clinical social worker specialized in crisis intervention and management, behavioral health assessments, conflict resolution and social service resources, is a liaison with the community, emergency medical services, police, emergency dispatchers, and other social service agencies. This position will assess domestic violence incidences, child and elder abuse and neglect, homelessness, sexual trafficking, alcohol, drug abuse and addiction, juvenile and other behavioral health issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Assists police/fire/EMT/dispatch/emergency management personnel with assessments of individuals who are in a psychiatric crisis as determined through a 911 call or as requested from leadership.
• Provides training, consultation and counseling services to Police Officers and their families.  
• Provides services to community residents such as crisis intervention, mediation, stress management and referrals to local resources.
• Performs an on-site psychiatric evaluation to determine a safe resolution of the individual(s) which may include issuing an emergency commitment certificate to the hospital emergency department and/or clinical follow-up.
• Provides counseling and crisis response support for community members who are referred by Police Officers.
• Provides on-site support for victims of domestic violence or substance abuse. Accompanies law enforcement to scenes that require negotiation with angry or distraught individuals.
• Counsel’s residents who have lost loved ones or suffered property damage.  
• Provides referrals and follow up to other community resources as necessary.   
• Provides psychiatric assessments to individuals and/or families as requested by city departments.
• Provides crisis intervention services to the community as needed.  
• Provide transportation to emergency shelters or care facilities.
• Works with public, private, non-profit and state governmental agencies to facilitate the community and mental health resources needed for the Torrington community. Must attend community meetings as assigned.
• Participates as a member of the Juvenile Review Board (JRB) to address juvenile criminal issues.
• Responds to law enforcement calls for service as requested serving as a crisis response specialist and completes all required paperwork and documentation associated with those calls for service.
• Serves in an unrestricted on-call duty role as directed.
• Prepares detailed case reports per incident to assure accurate record keeping documenting client/community member interventions and services and uses appropriate tracking software to produce monthly statistics/metrics and other reports as needed.
• Assists individuals in obtaining protective/restraining orders.
• Leads in-house crisis intervention training for emergency responders.
• May assume additional clinical caseloads as assigned.
• Must be available to work a flexible work schedule including holidays, weekends, evening and midnight shift hours as assigned or as needed.
• Assess law enforcement contacts for referral to community resources related to suicide, mental health and domestic violence, substance abuse, elder abuse and juvenile delinquency.
• Compiles and maintains statistical data related to law enforcement calls for service related to social work needs and highlights gaps in service.
• Provides input to Chief of Police and senior leadership of the Torrington Police Department related to social work incidents and awareness.
• Works with current service providers and police department programs such as the CLEAR intervention team and/or other established programs in place.
• Conducts in house training for sworn law enforcement personnel as well as non-sworn personnel and other Town personnel related to de-escalation techniques, grief counseling, post incident stress management, etc.
• Reviews Police Department records to identify community members in need of additional social services and develops action plans to connect these individuals to services. 
• Request police response to scenes for purposes of follow up interviews/assessments.
• Responds to private residences and other locations within the City of Torrington as requested.
• Works with and coordinates with the department chaplaincy program.

Other Functions:

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Assists other departments, offices, or staff as needed to promote a team effort to serve the public.
• Will be required to follow rules, regulations and policies of the Torrington Police Department and City of Torrington Management Resolution Agreement. 

Supervision:

Works under daily and specific direction of the Chief of Police.

Supervision Scope:  Performs responsible duties requiring independent judgment and initiative in coordinating, scheduling, and monitoring the work.  Has no supervisory responsibilities.

Supervision Received:  Works under the general direction of the Chief of Police, following departmental standards, procedures, and policies.  Works closely with the Chief and Deputy Chief of Police, and their designees.

Supervision Given: May supervise as requested a clinical intern or other clinician as requested.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), from an accredited college or university, in social work, counseling/clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field; and
• Connecticut State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in the social work field or social services mental health experience
• Experience in criminal justice system preferred.
• Experience in conducting critical incident stress debriefings (CISD).
• Crisis intervention experience required.

Special Requirements:

• Must possess, upon hire, current licensure as a clinical social worker in accordance with Chapter 383 b of the Connecticut State statutes as described in state statute 17a-503 (d)
• 21 years or older at the time of employment.
• Valid driver’s license without record or revocation in any state or ability to obtain within 30 days   of hire.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history. (Will be subject to a full background    check)
• First aid and CPR certified preferred. (Be willing to obtain basic First Aid/CPR training and Certification)
• U.S. Citizen
• May be required to wear a bullet proof vest when working in the field.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge and Ability:  The ability to understand law enforcement culture, procedures, and general orders: function effectively within a paramilitary environment, and establish and maintain rapport with police officers, emergency medical technicians, 911 dispatchers, paramedics, fire fighters, emergency management personnel and all city employees.

Skill: Strong crisis management skills, community resource networking, mediation, conflict resolution and communication resolution.

• Ability to serve as an expert witness during court proceedings and provide expert opinions, draw conclusions and respond to hypothetical statements.
• Empathy to identify with and understand another person’s experience and point of view.
• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively in person, by phone, and in writing with peers, supervisors, citizens, other law enforcement agencies and entities, and various community resources.
• Specialized knowledge and skills for effective clinical interventions with individuals, families, couples, and groups.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn and apply, interactive theories and principles in complex and volatile situations, initiate appropriate solutions, and offer empathy to emotionally charged individuals.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn and apply, computer and electronic data processing skills, modern legal terminology, format of and standard legal instruments pertaining to victim rights, criminal justice system and court procedure, and crisis intervention and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint and other software programs and Police Department database/report management software.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn and comprehend, law enforcement system, criminal justice system, social services.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of record keeping and methods of performing basic business mathematic calculations.
• Knowledge of the City of Torrington and surrounding communities preferred.
• Skilled in production of professional caliber letters, memoranda, and reports.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining efficient filing and records systems.
• Ability to identify and utilize community resources to ensure that appropriate referrals occur.
• Ability to use mathematical reasoning and analytical skills and to apply results.
• Ability to develop and present recommendations to supervisors, contacts, and others.
• Ability to translate verbal communication into written material.
• Ability to perform a variety of clerical duties with limited instruction or assistance.
• Ability to respond in a professional and general manner without violating victims’ right to privacy, or without violating goals of investigators and prosecutors when fielding inquiries concerning mental health and behavioral health issues.
• Ability to recognize participating law enforcement departments’ roles in creating and implementing solutions.

Equipment and Tools Used:

Unmarked police car, police radio, and body worn camera, ballistic vest. Desktop and laptop computers including word processing software, dictation equipment, photocopier, postage machine, fax machine, calculator, telephone and cell phone.

Job Environment:

Administrative work is performed in a moderately quiet office with regular interruptions during the day for scheduling via phone and radios.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform essential job functions. Employees are exposed to moderate levels of walking and may be at times required to run.  Employees will be exposed to varying seasonal weather and temperature extremes while working out in the field and within the community.  Incumbent performs duties in a modern office environment or as indicated, in the field under possible adverse weather conditions, stressful situations involving individuals in crisis, and outdoor environments that may be considered challenging to some.  Overall physical demand should be considered minimal.  The employee may, although not likely, occasionally need to carry more than 75 pounds.  Specific vision requirements include the use of near vision, far vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision, exposure to bright light and low light conditions, and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and office equipment.  Specific auditory (hearing) requirements for the position include frequent exposure to routine conversation in a normal office environment and the ability to distinguish between telephone, voice, and other auditory tones and signals.

Mental Requirements**:

The mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform essential job functions.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  While performing job duties, the employee frequently reads, comprehends, and executes simple written and verbal instructions, reads work orders, graphs, logs, and schedules, and counts and makes simple arithmetic additions and subtractions. Employee frequently plans own work activities, works alone, and works without supervision. Employee is exposed to levels of operating cars.  The employee is exposed to moderate levels of working as a member of a team, working under pressure, and working on several tasks at the same time. Employee occasionally reads and executes complicated instructions.

(This job description does not constitute an employment contract between the employer and employee. It is used as a guide for job responsibilities/actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

The City of Torrington exists to provide municipal services necessary to support the residential, business, environmental, and historical interests that define our community. Our services enhance the quality of life for those who live here and enhance the experience for our guests. It is the mission of the City of Torrington to provide municipal services that enhance the quality of life for our residents and guests and to help support the local economy. We train, mentor and challenge our employees to develop to their highest potential and to provide service that exceeds the expectations of residents, guests and others. We foster partnerships to solve problems and more effectively use our resources. We appreciate the unique environmental resources and scenic beauty where we live and work and acknowledge our responsibilities to future generations.

To Apply:
Download the attached application, complete, and submit.  Applications are accepted via email to HR@torringtonct.org, by fax to 860-489-2381, or by mail or drop off to the address listed at the top of the application.  Resumes may be submitted in addition to applications but not in lieu of.   

***Note: Please do not write "see Resume" on application forms, as that will deem applications incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.***

The City of Torrington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  AA/EOE