Job Description

Posting number: 18443

Department: Fire Department

Division: Community Health

Job classification: BH Clinical Navigator II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety, Fire & EMS, Community and Social Services

Summary

Behavioral Health Clinical Navigator II (HOP)

In this position, you will play a critical role in the Community and Public Health (CPH) Division of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD). As a Behavioral Health Clinical Navigator II assigned to the Homeless Outreach Program (HOP), you will conduct proactive, field-based outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness; complete behavioral health assessments; provide intensive case management, community navigation, and clinically appropriate, solution-focused interventions; and assist individuals in accessing housing, healthcare, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, and other resources that support long-term stability.

HOP works with individuals facing complex medical, behavioral health, substance use, and housing-related challenges. The position emphasizes sustained engagement, individualized goal setting, coordination with service providers, and advocacy for high-needs clients in community settings, including downtown areas, trails, parks, and business corridors.

Work hours are shift-based. The hours of operation are: Monday – Thursday 8-6:30pm or Tuesday-Friday 8-6:30pm

downtown Colorado Springs with Pikes Peak in the background

As a Behavioral Health Clinical Navigator II, you will:

• Conduct regular outreach as part of a team to identify and engage individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown Colorado Springs and other assigned community locations
• Complete behavioral health intakes and assessments for individuals identified through outreach or referred by community partners, including those with complex or acute symptoms
• Provide intensive case management and community navigation; maintain an assigned caseload of high-needs clients and conduct consistent follow-up to support progress toward individualized goals
• Connect clients to medical care, behavioral health treatment, substance use treatment and recovery services, housing and shelter opportunities, and practical supports such as identification, benefits, transportation, and employment resources
• Respond to requests from community partners and business leaders for outreach, assessment, intervention assistance, and resource navigation for individuals experiencing behavioral health or medical concerns
• Use clinically appropriate behavioral interventions, motivational and solution-focused approaches, and psychoeducation to address barriers to improved functioning and quality of life
• Develop individualized intervention plans, treatment goals, and stabilization strategies with clients; reassess needs and adjust plans based on progress and changing circumstances
• Assess safety concerns encountered during outreach, use verbal de-escalation when appropriate, and coordinate with appropriate emergency or clinical services when a situation exceeds the HOP role or requires urgent care
• Participate in internal and external case consultation; coordinate with providers, community organizations, and client support systems to facilitate continuity of care and referrals
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential assessments, case notes, referrals, services, and outcomes in designated electronic records systems in accordance with applicable standards
• Advocate for clients through professional communication with healthcare, housing, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and other community partners
• Represent CPH at community meetings, provide education about HOP services, maintain positive partnerships, and report program activities and outcomes to supervisors
• Assist supervisor with caseload assignments, referral processing, and other duties as assigned

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

Knowledge of:

• Professional scope of practice, ethical responsibilities, and clinical documentation standards
• DSM-5 concepts and evidence-based behavioral health approaches, including cognitive behavioral, systems-based, and solution-focused methods
• Needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and complex medical or social barriers
• Goal setting, treatment planning, harm reduction principles, and community-based resource coordination

Ability to:

• Build trust and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with individuals who may be difficult to engage
• Assess field safety concerns, apply verbal de-escalation skills, and recognize when consultation or emergency assistance is necessary
• Manage a complex caseload and formulate coordinated, practical intervention plans with limited supervision
• Communicate effectively with clients, community partners, and interdisciplinary providers while demonstrating cultural sensitivity
• Document clinical and outreach services clearly and navigate electronic medical records after training
• Work effectively in a fluid field environment, exercise sound judgment, accept feedback, and represent CSFD professionally

Examples of duties

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field
• Three (3) years of full-time experience working with patients in a crisis setting
• Possess, or obtain within 30 days of hire, and maintain a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver's license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges
• Licensed, in good standing, in the State of Colorado (DORA) in a counseling, social work, or related behavioral health field (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

The background check process for this position includes being fingerprinted by the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Qualifications

• Crisis intervention skills
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health crisis
• Experience working with individuals with behavioral health and substance use disorders

Supplemental information

Physical Demands: This position requires the ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently.

Environmental Conditions

Primary Work Environment - Field environment (with some office time) with travel from site to site and possible exposure to extreme weather conditions

Extreme Temperature - Seasonally

Wetness and Humidity - Seasonally

Respiratory Hazards - Rarely

Noise and Vibrations - Rarely

Physical Hazards - Occasionally

Mechanical and/or Electrical Hazards - Rarely

Exposure to Communicable Diseases - Frequently

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Please contact CSFD Human Resources at csfdhr@coloradosprings.gov or 719-385-7244 for any questions about this position.

The background check process for this position includes being fingerprinted by the Colorado Springs Police Department.