Portsmouth - Police Social Worker

Job Announcement

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The Police Social Worker is a civilian position that provides crisis intervention, short-term counseling, advocacy, community outreach and education as well as other social service assistance to individuals and families in the City of Portsmouth.  The Applicant should have a master’s degree in social work preferred, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) preferred, previous experience in crisis intervention and providing mental health services to individuals and families.  Must be at least 21 years of age, a U.S. Citizen and hold a valid driver’s license.  

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Social Worker position performs the following duties, functions, and responsibilities:

1. Provide referral services to members of the public.  This includes but is not limited to referring people for assistance in three main categories, housing, substance misuse and mental health needs. 
2. Connect members of the public in need to meet with and get services from organizations that can provide aid.  These organizations will include local community mental health agencies, the local recovery centers, City Welfare Department, homeless shelters, the school department, child services, and any other agencies that can help assist with getting people help and or resources. 
3. Review police incidents and identify cases in which people could benefit from follow up from a social worker.  Maintain connections to area resources and help the individuals get connected and stay connected to these resources.  Educate individuals and police personnel on what resources might be appropriate for their needs.
4. Communicate with Family Services Sergeant and the School Resource Officers about incidents that happen outside of the school that have affected students and their family.  Then follow up to make sure their services and needs are being addressed. 
5. Serve as an advocate when appropriate; assists clients in developing the skills and expertise to advocate on their own behalf; helps clients develop skills leading to long-term success.
6. Help members of the community enroll in the vital emergency information program which helps identify residents who have special circumstances or mental health conditions.  This program allows families to provide confidential medical information and other information about loved ones who may have underlying medical conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other conditions that may make them unable to understand or communicate when police arrive at a scene or crisis. 
7. Provide updated information/training to Police Department members, sworn and non-sworn, that will help strengthen the skills, the recognition of people in crisis and laws in regard to mental health. 
8. Network, identify, and work with all local resources to provide information about this position and how best to connect people in need to their services. 
9. Be able to respond to community meetings, networking sessions, trainings and to situations in which police were called when safety allows and is applicable for a social worker to assist. 
10. Perform all other duties as prescribed by the Chief of Police. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  In order to perform the above duties, the Social Worker must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

1. Be able to read, write, speak, and communicate fluently in the English language.

2. Be mentally and physically able to read, remember, interpret, and understand statutes and court decisions.

3. Be mentally and physically able to take comprehensive written notes, organize and generate internal reports.

4. Be able to speak publicly to a wide variety of individuals including members of the police and fire departments as members of the public.

5. Have extensive knowledge of the local social service agencies and other support systems available to the public in Portsmouth and surrounding areas.

6. Must possess sufficient computer skills to perform the documentary functions of the position.

7. Must be able to maintain complete and total professional confidentiality regarding their role and their access to confidential documents and situations.

8. Travel outside of the police department when necessary to meet in person with other service providers, members of the public, persons in need, and or any other person when safe and necessary to do so.

Must have a general understanding of the criminal justice system in New Hampshire and privacy and confidentiality laws in regard to HIPPA and medical information.

Standard 40 hour work week.  Days / hours of work: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm. Hours may vary in accordance with duties.

Please direct questions regarding this position to evansh@portsmouthnhpd.gov

Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.

Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PoliceApp, PublicSafetyApp, FireFighterApp or EmployementApp account to monitor for emails, scheduling and process updates.