What are the responsibilities and job description for the Co-Response Crisis Specialist position at DC Department of Human Resources?
Job Summary
The incumbent serves as a Co-response Crisis Specialist in the Adult Services, Clinical Services Administration, Department of Behavioral Health. The incumbent provides direct services to children, adolescents, and adults in crisis in the community or at the police station. The clinician works collaboratively with the Metropolitan Police Department by riding along with an MPD Police Officer in a police cruiser, around the city, for their entire tour of duty, to assist in responding directly to 911 dispatched calls, for individuals exhibiting signs of mental distress. The incumbent independently provides assessments, and delivers rapid access to community mental health, substance abuse and psychiatry services, including linkage to behavioral health services. The incumbent utilizes advanced skill in handling on- the- spot, difficult cases involving complex problems and situations.
This position IS in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME 2095 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through an automatic payroll deduction.
Area of Consideration: Open to the Public
First Screening Date: January 15, 2026; And Every Two Weeks Thereafter
Duration of Appointment: Permanent
Tour of Duty: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm, Monday – Friday
Work Site: 821 Howard Road, S.E.
Washington, DC 20020
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT: As a basic requirement, all applicants must have successfully completed a four (4) year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelors or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences. In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the DS-11 level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position to be filled which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.
LICENSURE
None
EDUCATION
Bachelors or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The incumbent is required to ride along with an MPD Police Officer for entire shift. Work is performed in the community, residences, community-based facilities, or specialized service centers throughout the District of Columbia metropolitan area. Some degree of hazard may be present in working with emotionally disturbed consumers and their families and caretakers. The CRT functions as a 24/7 city wide crisis response team and as result assignments and locations can vary based on need. At the discretion of the Clinical Supervisor and/or Program Manager, tours of duty and locations of service may be modified to meet the needs of the District of Columbia. Assignments are subject to change in accordance with the Union Agreement.
Position Designation: This position is deemed as “Protection Sensitive” pursuant to Section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:
RESIDENCY PREFERENCE
A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, a line attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proof of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
The incumbent serves as a Co-response Crisis Specialist in the Adult Services, Clinical Services Administration, Department of Behavioral Health. The incumbent provides direct services to children, adolescents, and adults in crisis in the community or at the police station. The clinician works collaboratively with the Metropolitan Police Department by riding along with an MPD Police Officer in a police cruiser, around the city, for their entire tour of duty, to assist in responding directly to 911 dispatched calls, for individuals exhibiting signs of mental distress. The incumbent independently provides assessments, and delivers rapid access to community mental health, substance abuse and psychiatry services, including linkage to behavioral health services. The incumbent utilizes advanced skill in handling on- the- spot, difficult cases involving complex problems and situations.
This position IS in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME 2095 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through an automatic payroll deduction.
Area of Consideration: Open to the Public
First Screening Date: January 15, 2026; And Every Two Weeks Thereafter
Duration of Appointment: Permanent
Tour of Duty: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm, Monday – Friday
Work Site: 821 Howard Road, S.E.
Washington, DC 20020
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT: As a basic requirement, all applicants must have successfully completed a four (4) year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelors or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences. In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the DS-11 level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position to be filled which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.
LICENSURE
None
EDUCATION
Bachelors or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The incumbent is required to ride along with an MPD Police Officer for entire shift. Work is performed in the community, residences, community-based facilities, or specialized service centers throughout the District of Columbia metropolitan area. Some degree of hazard may be present in working with emotionally disturbed consumers and their families and caretakers. The CRT functions as a 24/7 city wide crisis response team and as result assignments and locations can vary based on need. At the discretion of the Clinical Supervisor and/or Program Manager, tours of duty and locations of service may be modified to meet the needs of the District of Columbia. Assignments are subject to change in accordance with the Union Agreement.
Position Designation: This position is deemed as “Protection Sensitive” pursuant to Section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:
- Criminal background check;
- Traffic record check (as applicable);
- Pre-employment drug and alcohol test;
- Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
- Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test; and
- Return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.
RESIDENCY PREFERENCE
A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, a line attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proof of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.