Care Responder

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Cambridge Community Safety Department's (CSD) mission is to provide additional services to enhance the community's health and well-being. We value compassion in our prevention and intervention efforts. The Community Safety Department is guided by the following values:

• We are continuously learning, evolving and reimagining our approach in order to best meet the needs of the community we serve. We embrace a growth mindset and value curiosity, humility, and our shared humanity.

• We commit to living restorative practices such as building empathy, compassion, trust and mutual respect in all we do.

• We center relationships, partnerships, authentic collaboration and joy in our work. We are guided by the wisdom, insights, and experiences of those who came before us and those who are doing the work today to build solutions community-wide. We are intentionally laying groundwork for the future we envision.

• We are consciously not reproducing systems of oppression. We aim to create equitable, anti-racist, and non-discriminatory ways of serving our community.

• We acknowledge the historical implications of the criminal legal system and the harm it has done to our communities. With this understanding, we value the dignity and humanity of all people.

The City established the CSD in response to a City Council policy order to develop an unarmed alternative response program, as well as in response to community concerns about supporting Cambridge's most vulnerable residents and enhancing violence prevention efforts. The CSD's CARE (Community Assistance Response and Engagement) team will respond to 9-1-1 calls for assistance that do not include scene safety concerns. The CARE team provides an alternative response model for non-violent behavioral health crises with specialized field teams who serve as a primary response. These specialized teams employ their training as well as lived experiences to provide immediate and follow up support to individuals in crisis. The CSD will work toward operating 7 days a week and will respond to non-violent behavioral health and/or homelessness crises. Teams will use their combined training, department policies, knowledge, and lived experiences to provide immediate support. This is a new Department that will be consistently adapting the model based on data collected over time. The CSD will embody a growth mindset with a culture of constantly learning and growing.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The City of Cambridge is looking for two CARE Responders to staff two (2) crisis response teams as part of the Cambridge Community Safety Department (CSD). Reporting to the Assistant Director of Clinical Services, the CARE Responders will respond as part of a two or three person team to non-violent behavioral health and/or homelessness crisis calls as they are received by Cambridge Emergency Communications (911). Teams will use their combined training, department policies, knowledge, and lived experiences to provide immediate support. CARE Responders may utilize applicable training to provide psychological and physical health evaluation to community members in crisis. This is a new Department that will be consistently adapting the model based on data collected over time. The CSD will embody a growth mindset with a culture of constantly learning and growing. The ideal candidate will bring flexibility, eagerness to learn and a willingness to shift approaches as new data is collected.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties/responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Respond to behavioral health and/or homelessness crises utilizing harm reduction and trauma informed care principles in a variety of community settings.

• Provide non-judgmental, unconditional support to patients/clients.

• Assess individuals in crisis for immediate safety and stabilization needs.

• Maintain confidentiality and respect the boundaries of community members experiencing emotional distress.

• Engage with individuals that are intoxicated or under the influence of controlled substances.

• Engage with individuals that are experiencing acute mental distress.

• Make appropriate level of care decisions on-scene and communicate these decisions with related agencies.

• Create relationships with related agencies to facilitate high quality care and resource provision.

• Refer and link individuals to community resources as appropriate.

• Follow training and protocols to safely de-escalate behavioral health crisis situations.

• Collaborate with other first responders to manage and navigate emergency scenes.

• Partner with family members or relevant parties involved during the management of a crisis event.

• Responders will be responsible for providing short term case management, as needed, in addition to going on acute crisis calls.

• Making referrals to resources and services on behalf of community members.

• Having one on one meetings with community members to ensure appropriate access to resources.

• Maintain appropriate paperwork, strict adhesion to confidentiality, documentation, and recordkeeping requirements.

• Contact public safety agencies such as EMS and law enforcement as necessary.

• Seek assistance from and report incidents to the Assistant Director of Clinical Services as applicable.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience/License/Certifications:

• Experience in crisis intervention.

• Must be CPR and First Aid certified on date of employment or within 60 days of employment and maintain current certification throughout employment.

• Must possess a Massachusetts valid driver's license and successfully pass a CORI background check, driving history check, and drug screen.

• Must successfully complete and pass the CARE Training Academy within 120 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Sensitivity to multi-cultural populations and their experiences and perspectives.

• Ability to quickly create rapport with community members, and to navigate encounters with professionalism when attempts at rapport are challenging.

• Working knowledge of major mental illness, personality disorders, traumatic brain injury, dementia, complex trauma, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning and crisis de-escalation.

• Ability and eagerness to spend time outdoors and in the community with vulnerable individuals, some of whom are experiencing homelessness.

• Ability to work independently yet collaboratively towards a common goal.

• Ability to learn and help navigate all applicable resources with patients/clients.

• Ability to maintain strong professional boundaries.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Some familiarity with psychiatric conditions, crisis de-escalation, and recovery principles.

• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong awareness of local social service providers/community resources.

• Experience as a licensed EMT or Paramedic.

• Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness.

• Experience working with individuals experiencing significant mental illness.

• Experience working with individuals experiencing substance abuse.

• Experience in violence prevention.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to climb stairs and move in any type of terrain. Occasionally lift or drag at least 125 lbs. Squat, stand, or kneel for prolonged periods of time. Maintain focus and composure when around bodily fluids. Ability to operate a cell phone, radio, and computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily in the field. Field work may include performing duties in hazardous areas, such as streets, medians, homeless encampments, wooded areas, alleys, confined spaces, and around potential biohazards such as used needles and human waste. This position involves exposure to individuals in varying degrees of distress.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance

• Vacation and Sick leave eligible

• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible

• 3 Personal days

• 14 Paid Holidays

• Management Allowance, $2,700/year

• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

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