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Jail - Mental Health Professional

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Jail - Mental Health Professional

Salary

$63,902.93 - $89,441.05 Annually

Location

WA 99260, WA

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

25-00182

Department

Detention Services

Opening Date

10/02/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

+ Description

+ Benefits

Job Summary

This recruitment may be used to fill up to two (2) vacancies working 40 hours per week.

This position is responsible for providing mental health care and access for all offenders incarcerated in the Spokane County Detention Services. The position allocated to this class functions under the direction and supervision of the Detention - Mental Health Manager, Detention Lieutenant, and or Chief. Duties include providing mental health services to offenders with short term crisis episodes or serious to severe chronic mental health needs. In addition, the Detention - Mental Health Professional works with Community Health Care Providers and outside organizations to ensure continuity of care, and appropriate discharge planning. The Detention - Mental Health Professional will comply with all federal, state and local legal requirements regarding mental health treatment, referral, and confidentiality issues.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: $81,795 - $114,484 annually. Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Examples of Duties

+ Screens and assesses detained offenders for mental health concerns, particularly as it affects the physical safety of the offenders and others.

+ Reviews detained offenders whose daily classification status indicates a physical threat to self and/or others.

+ Adjusts classification restrictions as indicated.

+ Counsels offenders identified through observation, screening, assessment or referral as needing mental health services.

+ Consults with a local Mental Health Professional, the offender’s current therapist, psychiatrist, chemical dependency counselor regarding interventions and discharge plans.

+ Coordinates mental health services with other departments, external organizations, Detention Services staff, and other agencies.

+ Works with the in-house academy to provide suicide prevention and mental health trainings to all new hires and volunteers, with a unique curriculum that has been developed to provide effective education and training.

+ Provides crisis risk assessments to incarcerated individuals who are either experiencing or acting on thoughts of harming themselves or others, which involves mitigating risk quickly, making choices about housing and safety, and providing relevant clinical and behavioral interventions as needed.

+ Provides crisis response and intervention.

+ Maintains a current database and all necessary documentation of services including, but not limited to: screening, assessment, referral, counseling, consultation, behavioral and treatment plans, and agency administrative paperwork.

+ Participates and successfully completes all training requirements at the direction of the Detention – Mental Health Manager.

+ Identifies and provides transition services (as available) to persons with mental illness to expedite and facilitate their return to the community.

+ Resources with other community agencies to provide post incarceration housing, medical, and mental health services on an on-going basis.

+ Determines Medicaid eligibility and facilitates reinstatement of Medicaid and/or other appropriate social services.

+ Serves as a court liaison, and provides court testimony.

+ Develops and maintains curriculum a for the in-house academy to educate new hires and volunteers.

+ Provides clinical training and oversite to interns if applicable.

+ Assists the Detention – Chief in drafting departmental mental health policies and procedures.

+ Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Minimum Requirements

+ Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or related behavioral health field.

+ Two (2) years of experience in direct treatment of persons with mental illness or emotional disturbance, such experience gained under the supervision of mental health professional.

+ Possess and retain current registration in a mental health profession in the state of Washington or actively in the process of obtaining current mental health profession licensure in the state of Washington to be received within two (2) years of hire.

+ Possession of a valid Washington Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment may be required when travel is required of the position.

Selection Factors

+ Knowledge of mental health and chemical dependency issues, normal and abnormal human development, developmental disabilities, and abuse and neglect.

+ Knowledge of currently accepted principles and best practices in the treatment of mental health and chemical dependency issues, normal and abnormal human development, developmental disabilities, and abuse and neglect.

+ Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws for voluntary admissions and involuntary commitments, restraints, and confidentiality.

+ Knowledge of outpatient resources available through other allied providers.

+ Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.

+ Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with mental health staff, physicians, departments, supervisors and inmate population.

+ Ability to provide referral to appropriate mental health providers regarding assessment and treatment.

+ Ability to manage aggressive and harmful behaviors.

+ Ability to deal with offenders, co-workers, and the public in a tactful, calm, and courteous and professional manner often in stressful situations.

+ Ability to perform duties independently with minimal supervision.

+ Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, particularly with diverse client populations.

+ Ability to exercise independent judgment in addressing a variety of problems and situations.

+ Ability to understand and support clinical services and treatment plans.

+ Ability to liaison with corrections staff.

+ Ability to handle interruptions efficiently and effectively.

+ Ability to effectively use interpersonal communication skills to avoid or defuse tense or hostile offenders.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Employee Benefits Summary

The following is a brief list of benefits available to Spokane County regular employees. Complete information is available from Human Resources Department. This information is subject to change.

PAID TIME OFF

Spokane County Observed Holidays

Up to 10 (ten) paid holidays are observed by Spokane County.

PTO

Non-represented and a select group of represented employees receive a bank of hours that combine both vacation and sick leave into a paid time off bank. There is no waiting period to use this time and it starts out at almost 2 days per month accrual increasing in accrual rates annually for first 5 years.

Vacation

For employees with less than five (5) years of continuous service, the accrual rate is 1 day of vacation each month for a total of 12 days per year. After six (6) months, employees are eligible to take accumulated vacation time. (Please note the vacation time accumulation may vary depending on contract language).

Sick Leave

Sick leave is earned at 1 day per month and can be taken as the days are accumulated.

Other Leaves

Spokane County provides several other paid leaves such as: bereavement leave, jury duty and military duty leave.

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Medical Insurance

Two plans are currently available: Premera Blue Cross (PPO) and Kaiser Permanente (HMO). Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents. Premiums are deducted each pay period (pay periods: 15th and last day of the month).

2024 Rates:

Premera

Employee Only: $38.04 per month

Employee & Spouse: $149.52 per month

Employee & Family: $209.60 per month

Employee & Child(ren): $136.16 per month

Kaiser:

Employee: $35.92 per month

Employee & Spouse: $140.56 per month

Employee & Family: $196.06 per month

Employee & Child(ren): $128.58 per month

Dental Insurance

Two plans are currently available: Delta Dental of Washington (PPO) and Willamette Dental (DMO). Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents.

2024 Rates:

Delta Dental Willamette Dental

Employee: $5.74 per month Employee: $5.98 per month

Family: $11.48 per month Family: $11.96 per month

Group Life Insurance

The County provides a $25,000 group life insurance policy to employees. The County provides a $10,000 benefit for those represented by 492, 492CS & 492CL. This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.

Long Term Disability Coverage

Provides an income protection benefit in the event of a long-term illness or injury at rate of 60% of income up to a maximum of $5,000 per month. Spokane County pays the full premium for this plan. Deputy Sheriff's receive a benefit through their union for disability.

RETIREMENT

Retirement Plan (401a)

Spokane County employees are automatically included in the Washington State Retirement System. Both the employer and the employee contribute to the plan. This retirement plan provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit once vested and eligible for retirement.

Additional Retirement Plan Option (457b)

Employees may supplement their retirement income and save money on taxes by participating in this optional County program. Roth (after-tax) option is also available through this retirement plan.

VOLUNTARY BENEFITS

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay for benefits not covered by major medical insurance. The employee pays 100% of the premium.

Travel Assistance

Provides additional travel protections anytime you travel more than 100 miles from home. Includes pre-trip information, emergency ticket replacement, and emergency evacuation coverage. This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.

Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)

Spokane County sponsors a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account to allow out-of-pocket Medical & Daycare Expenses to be paid with Tax Free Dollars. Premiums are automatically set up pre-tax under the FSA.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is additional optional life insurance provided through The Standard Insurance. New employees are guaranteed up to $50,000 for self and $20,000 for a spouse with no medical underwriting needed.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program

Employees and their family members are eligible to receive free counseling. There are also benefits relating to financial and legal concerns.

Reduced Cost Bus Pass Program

Spokane County participates in a program with STA which discounts bus passes to $5 a month.

Wellness Programs

There are opportunities for nearby exercise programs at reduced cost and education programs around wellness themes including financial well-being, nutrition and stress reduction.

Discounts

There are local and national discounts available to Spokane County employees.

Employer

Spokane County

Address

824 N Adams Spokane, Washington, 99260

Phone

509-477-5750

Website

http://www.spokanecounty.org/employment