Behavioral Health Co-Responder Clinician (Sheriff's Office)

CO Salary Range: USD 33.35 - 50.00 per hour

Job Number: 456
Salary: $33.35 - $50.00
Department: Sheriff's Office
Division: Behavioral Health
Location: 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy., Centennial, CO, 80112
Job Type: Hourly Full-Time
Posting Date: 06/28/2026
Closing Date: 07/12/2026

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE:

While the full salary range for the Behavioral Health Co-Responder Clinician position is $33.35 - $50.00 hourly / $69,368.00 - $104,000.00 annually, the anticipated hiring range is $33.35 - $41.65 hourly / $69,368.00 - $86,632.00 annually. Final salary is DOQ.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under the general supervision of the Behavioral Health Response Program Manager, the Co-Responder Clinician responds to mental health emergency calls for service with Public Safety personnel (Sheriff's Office, Fire/Rescue). Utilize skills on scene to de-escalate, assess, and intervene in the moment of crisis. Prepare legal documents for transition to appropriate levels of care, including 27-10 (M-1) mental health holds. Contacted individuals may be evaluated for transport to the most appropriate destination which could include in-patient facilities, crisis centers, or other locations as needed. Co-Responder Clinicians manage follow-up with community members to connect them with resources and behavioral health treatment after crisis has concluded. Case management to include treatment plan development, resource navigation and community outreach and resource integration.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job:

• Respond to Behavioral Health related 911 calls with public safety personnel and provide on scene behavioral health evaluations/problem identification, crisis interventions, crisis treatment/care plans and make referrals which are consistent with the identified needs in the plan of care and/or by the client.
• Provide follow up as needed to individuals served via phone calls, messages, and on-site visits (accompanied by Deputy Sheriff's, as needed).
• Follow direction from the partnering Deputy Sheriff regarding on-scene safety and security measures and protocols.
• Provide behavioral health consultation to Deputy Sheriff's while responding to mental health related calls.
• Provides mobile response to situations involving behavioral health concerns or crisis in a variety of community settings upon law enforcement request.
• Conducts mental status, suicide, and risk assessment to provide psychological evaluations/problem identification, crisis interventions, referrals and linkage to resources.
• Prepare legal documents for transition to appropriate level of care, if necessary.
• Makes appropriate level of care decisions on scene and communicates, collaborates and creates relationships with multiple collateral agencies, including schools, hospitals, family members and significant others to facilitate referrals for needed community-based services and treatment.
• Conducts follow-ups and interventions with community members, working to connect them to behavioral health care and other support resources in the community.
• Documents all phone and face-to-face contacts and supplies documentation consistent with clinical and administrative policies and procedures and research related to the provision of services.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical records.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks for area of licensure, as well as understanding of criteria for mental health care and treatment in Colorado statute (Title 27, Article 65, C.R.S.).
• Working knowledge of major mental illness, traumatic brain injury, dementia, trauma-informed care, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning and crisis de-escalation.
• Knowledge of law enforcement accreditation standards at the Sheriff's Office.
• Ability to use computer systems, including MS Office Suite programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers and other law enforcement/judicial personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both verbal and written English, to include public speaking.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with all staff.
• Ability to get along well with others.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance at such level as determined at the Sheriff's Office discretion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: A Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years of experience, post licensure in crisis counseling, verbal-de-escalation, working with diverse and at-risk populations, community networking and resource delivery.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: Current license as a LCSW/LPC/LMFT in the State of Colorado.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EXPERIENCE: Experience working and collaborating with law enforcement officials.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: LAC or CAC.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the initial probationary period.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License.
• Must be available for on-call work schedule assignments that require working nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must successfully complete the initial probationary period and training.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Occasional use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery and writing utensils.
• Constantly involved in oral and auditory interaction, enabling interpersonal communication, including automated devices such as the telephone, radio, and computer.
• Spends 60% of the time sitting, 10% standing, and 30% walking.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches and balances while operating office machinery, or interacting with individuals.
• Frequently uses visual capacity, including depth perception and peripheral vision enabling completion of required office duties.
• Occasionally lifts or carries up to 15 lbs. when moving office supplies or files

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:

Contacts frequently include interactions with contract staff, Deputies, civilian agency members, members of the public and community partners. Information given and received is often of a critical and confidential nature. This position requires the ability to work and communicate effectively, clearly and concisely, during contact with contractors, employees, and the general public. Hand-to-hand exchanges and face-to-face verbal communications between the member and the public are required on a frequent basis.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Often works off site and in the community, including homes, community agency sites, hospital emergency rooms, psychiatric units, nursing homes, and detention facilities. Regularly works with people in acute distress or crisis. May require travel to several sites throughout Arapahoe County.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:

This position has been determined to be an EXTREME exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".

YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).

BENEFITS:

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees are provided benefits to include, but not limited to, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. For a complete summary of benefits review them at: 2026 Benefits Summary.

401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN:

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees must set aside 9.00 percent, which is subject to change in the coming years, on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 10%. The County also contributes 6.2% to Social Security.

APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:

Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use - Marijuana use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who have used any other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years will be disqualified.
• Any felony conviction
• Any conviction involving an act of Domestic Violence
• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.
• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest
• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior
• Documented record of prior poor work performance
• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement
• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Police history - type, frequency and nature of contact(s)
• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process

It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:

The screening process for any position within the Sheriff's Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s) and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants' ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.

Additional required tests/examinations also include:

• Phase I Suitability Exam
• Polygraph Examination

Additional screening may include:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination, including a drug screen
• Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicant's former employers, associates, neighbors and other pertinent sources. Applicant's military history, school records, police records and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriff's Office at the Sheriff's Office expense.

EXPECTED DURATION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriff's Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.

WORK SCHEDULES:

Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriff's Office.

DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:

All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agencies bureaus, sections or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at will status of employment.

COMMUNITY POLICING:The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy which emphasizes problem solving partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.

INITIAL STATUS PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicant's examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriff's Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.

POLICY ON REAPPLICATION:

Applicants who failed a written test may reapply and retest no sooner than three (3) or six (6) months (position dependent) from the date they took the written test. Applicants who failed an interview may reapply and retest no sooner that six (6) months from the date they received notification of non-selection. All other applicants who are disqualified can reapply with the Sheriff's Office no sooner than one (1) year from the date of notification of non-selection.

This job announcement does not constitute a contract of employment. Should there be any discrepancy or error in this job announcement, the applicable policy or pay rate will apply. The Sheriff's Office retains the right to amend this job announcement at any time without notice.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Should you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact Human Resources.

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