Job Description

Make a difference today!

Sound is growing, and we are hiring a law enforcement co-responder in Tukwila, WA, in partnership with the Tukwila Police Department! Sound is one of King County’s most comprehensive providers of quality mental health and addiction treatment services, supporting our area’s most vulnerable populations.

The law enforcement co-responder plays a critical role in supporting individuals experiencing behavioral health crises by working in partnership with law enforcement officers in real-time, field-based situations. This position bridges the gap between public safety and behavioral health care, ensuring individuals in crisis receive timely, appropriate, and compassionate responses that prioritize de-escalation and stabilization in the least restrictive environment.

As a co-responder, you will be embedded alongside law enforcement personnel to provide on-site mental health and substance use assessments, crisis intervention, safety planning, and referral to community-based services. The primary goal is to divert individuals from emergency departments, inpatient hospitalizations, and the criminal justice system when clinically appropriate, and to facilitate immediate connection to supportive services.

While it is not a primary responsibility of this position, the co-responder will have the opportunity to contribute to improving community safety and reducing stigma surrounding mental health and associated behaviors by sharing information with law enforcement partners. This educational information may include resource sharing, promoting best practices in behavioral crisis intervention, and other supportive practices.

Schedule: Sunday-Wednesday, swing shift. Specific hours to be determined during the interview process.

Accepting applications until April 19th.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

Provide mobile crisis outreach services in collaboration with law enforcement and community partners within a supportive, multidisciplinary team environment.

· Conduct thorough clinical assessments, including evaluations for involuntary detention related to psychiatric and substance use disorders.

· Ensure the dignity and respect of each individual while being responsive to the unique needs of diverse populations, including those with complex or marginalized backgrounds.

· Represent the agency and the mental health profession with integrity, cultural competence, and professionalism in all interactions with clients, first responders, and community stakeholders.

· Demonstrate strong clinical judgment in case investigation, crisis de-escalation, interviewing, integration of collateral information, and making timely, appropriate decisions for safe client disposition.

· Participate in documentation, team meetings, and other duties as assigned to support agency operations and client outcomes.

KEY WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Establish and maintain positive, ethical, and professional relationships with clients, team members, law enforcement personnel, first responders, community partners, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related field is required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a mental health setting, preferably with crisis intervention or community-based services.

Education/Licenses/Certifications:

• Must meet the definition of a Mental Health Professional (MHP) under Washington State regulations.
• Washington driver’s license and insurable driving record required. Driving is an essential function of this position. The clinician will conduct outreach in the community, which requires driving between various locations in King County, and conduct home visits in response to dispatches.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

To successfully perform the essential duties of this job, an individual must be able to sit at a desk for two or more hours a day and use office equipment, including phones and computer keyboards, for two or more hours per day. Must be able to climb in and out of a patrol vehicle and sit inside for three or more hours a day, often while using a computer.

Individuals must be able to engage vendors, team members, clients, and others over the

phone and in person by voice. Regular attendance is an essential function of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Our multi-step interview process is designed to ensure a strong clinical fit, alignment with the position's responsibilities, and readiness to work in a collaborative law enforcement environment.

1. Phone Screening Interview: An initial phone interview with the recruiting team to review your qualifications, clinical experience, and interest in the co-responder role.

2. Behavioral Clinical Interview: A structured behavioral interview with the hiring manager. This interview will assess your clinical decision-making, crisis response skills, and ability to work in high-pressure environments.

3. Police Ride-Along: A ride-along with the Police Department to observe real-time crisis response and better understand the nature of the job, community needs, and day-to-day responsibilities of a co-responder. This is a key experiential component and must be completed to proceed in the process.

4. In-Person Panel Interview: A final in-person interview with leadership representatives from both the Police Department and Sound Behavioral Health. This panel will assess your overall readiness and ability to collaborate across systems.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above Job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work performed; it is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and required skills for the Job. Team members will be required to follow any other Job-related instructions and to perform other duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities necessary to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Perks at Sound!

All Team Members at Sound working 40 hours per week will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Premium 100% paid by Sound for team member and child coverage to age 26, depending on plan selected. Spouse/Domestic Partner coverage available at team member’s cost.
• Life Insurance (2x annual salary + additional $25,000): paid by Sound Long Term Disability Insurance (60% monthly salary): paid by Sound Retirement Plan: Sound contributes 3% to team member’s plan; team member is 100% vested
• Retirement Plan - 401(k) Plan, pre-tax and/or Roth: team member may contribute to their own plan
• Health Savings Account: Sound contributes $1,133.33 (individual) or $2,266.67 (family) for eligible team members, pro-rated for new hires in first year
• Flexible Spending Accounts: for health care and dependent day care costs (pre-tax)
• EAP: Employee Assistance Plan
• Vacation: 18 days per year, increasing with years of service.
• Holidays: 9 days per year
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year
• Bereavement Leave: for death in the family
• Parking: Free at all Sound sites
• Training: Free in-house professional training and $400 annually + 3 paid days approved off-site training
• Service Award: at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 & 40 years of service

Compensation: $41.83-$45.36 per hour. #IND