Crisis Intervention Specialist

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Salary Information

This is a BART Police Officers' Association (BPOA) represented position.

Step 1: $44.17/hourly to Step 5: $53.00/hourly (BPOA Hourly)

NOTE: All external candidates will start at Step 1.

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

Days Off

As assigned. (Must be willing to work various shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime.)

Reports To

Supervisor of Crisis Intervention & Outreach Programs

Department

The Bureau of Progressive Policing and Community Engagement's mission is to engage the BART Police Department in leading transparent, equitable, and innovative policing practices to improve public safety across the diverse communities in which we serve. We are committed to rebuilding trust and nurturing relationships between our communities and law enforcement through a culture of accountability, responsibility, and collaboration.

Current Assignment

Are you passionate about helping individuals in crisis? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where compassion, collaboration, and sound judgment make a daily impact? The BART Police Department is seeking dedicated professionals to serve as Crisis Intervention Specialists (CIS) - a vital civilian role supporting some of the Bay Area's most vulnerable community members. The Crisis Intervention Specialist conducts proactive outreach to individuals experiencing:

• Mental health crises
• Homelessness or housing insecurity
• Substance use challenges
• Co-occurring or complex needs

CIS professionals engage directly in the community-on trains, in stations, and throughout BART property-building relationships grounded in trust, dignity, and respect. They collaborate with behavioral health providers, social services organizations, and community partners to facilitate access to care and promote long-term stabilization. As a liaison between the Police Department, District departments, and community organizations, the CIS ensures underserved and unsheltered patrons are met with compassion and connected to appropriate services.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

• Experience conducting needs assessments and connecting underserved individuals to homeless advocacy, behavioral health, mental health support programs or other support services
• Understanding the benefits and challenges of police-behavioral health collaboration
• Experience working with underserved and diverse communities
• Ability to build new external relationships with community-based organizations providing supportive services
• Ability to apply conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques
• Case management experience, including organization and time management

Selection Process

This position is represented by the BART Police Officers Association (BPOA). Applications will be screened to ensure minimum qualifications are met, and qualified candidates will proceed through the selection process. Note that the hiring department may incorporate additional screening criteria to identify candidates with the ideal knowledge and skills beyond the minimum qualifications.

The selection process will include the following phases:

Phase 1: Pre-Screening Background Questionnaire

Phase 2: Minimum Qualifications Screening

Phase 3: Oral Board Interview

Phase 4: Background Investigation

** Note: The entire process may take six (6) months up to one (1) year to complete. **

The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as requested and/or required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S.; pass a pre-employment medical examination which includes a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include an extensive background check and successful completion of a polygraph exam. (Does not apply to current full-time BART Police Department employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

If selected to proceed in the background investigative phase of the process, you will be asked to provide some essential documents. The following are some of the documents you may be asked to provide naturalization/citizenship papers, birth certificates, school transcripts, proof of selective service (men only), DMV driving history documents, proof of automobile insurance, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and POST certificates (if applicable).

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Eligibility to Reapply

1. Performs outreach services to individuals experiencing mental health and/or housing insecurity issues by providing linkages to services provided by local organizations.
2. Makes mental health assessments and provides crisis counseling to the homeless community and individuals experiencing mental health related issues within the BART system.
3. Provides short-term case management services as appropriate and makes direct referrals to other community services.
4. Serves as a liaison between the Police Department, other departments in the District, and public and private community-based organizations that provide mental health, crisis intervention, and homeless and supportive housing services.
5. Engage and establish relationships with the homeless community to provide supportive services in collaboration with behavioral health and social services organizations; advocates and collaborates with service providers to facilitate access to care with the goal of stabilization.
6. Works with management to perform outreach within the community and participate in community-violence reduction efforts including informational presentations
7. Responds to requests and inquiries from District personnel, city and county agencies, merchants, community groups, and citizens to assist individuals found at-risk in places not meant for habitation.
8. Assists in medical emergencies on BART property by gathering information, providing logistical support, and/or providing first-aid as appropriate; summons medical response as necessary.
9. Participates in and successfully completes all required training, such as conflict resolution, security awareness, etc.
10. Provides various routine assistance to BART personnel; may operate various office equipment; gathers, maintains and retrieves records as directed; fills out forms and writes basic reports; enters data into appropriate computer database or application.

Education:
Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience:
Two (2) years of (full-time equivalent) professional verifiable experience in social work or related experience. Experience in homeless advocate programs, behavioral health support programs, or interacting and engaging with the homeless community and/or individuals experiencing complex mental health issues preferred.

Other Requirements:
- Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record
- Must be able to work various shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime
- Must respond to afterhours incidents and perform field activities

Substitution:
Additional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:
Exposure to heat, cold, moving vehicles, and inclement weather conditions.

Physical Conditions:
Requires maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Knowledge of:
- Principles and techniques of working with ethnically and culturally diverse individuals with psychiatric challenges and those who may be homeless and have co-occurring or complex issues
- Welfare & Institutions Code 5150 and 5585
- Principles and practices of effective conflict resolution
- Methods and techniques of crisis intervention
- Methods and techniques of effective communication
- Current office procedures and practices, including the use of online computer equipment
- Applicable BART rules and safety regulations

Skill/Ability in:
- Developing and maintaining effective working effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work including a diverse population including impoverished and alienated persons - Operating District vehicles including cell phone and police radio equipment
- Reading, interpreting and following a variety of instructions
- Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing
- Remaining professional and courteous when dealing with disorderly patrons
- Maintaining basic and accurate records
- Exercising sound judgment within established guidelines
- Detecting unusual, hazardous or emergency situations and taking appropriate actions according to specified regulations
- Speak effectively in public and provide clear, concise and understandable verbal direction and information
- Plan, organize and support others
- Dealing with difficult people in a customer service setting
- Remaining calm in emergency and/or uncomfortable situations

Equal Employment OpportunityGroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov.

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs.