Mental Health Clinician (MH Law Enforcement Liaison)

Mental Health Clinician (MH Law Enforcement Liaison)

Salary

$31.59 - $41.08 Hourly

Location

Community Mental Health: 12265 James Street, Holland, MI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

22730044

Department

Community Mental Health

Opening Date

07/27/2026

Closing Date

8/10/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

AFSCME CMH Hourly

• Description
• Benefits

Job Description

Please Note: Ottawa County Community Mental Health is currently transitioning to an independent authority. As of January 1, 2027, this position will be part of the Ottawa County Community Mental Health Authority.

Community Mental Health of Ottawa County invites you to make a difference in the lives of people living with mental illness, while working with a team of dedicated and experienced staff!

Who We Are

Community Mental Health of Ottawa County partners with people with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities and substance use disorders and the broader community to improve lives and be a premier mental health agency in Michigan. CMHOC is located in the West Michigan area right along the beautiful Lake Michigan lakeshore.

• Our agency maintains high rates of staff satisfaction and retention.
• CMH continues to grow, with innovative programs across a variety of settings
• We believe in work-life balance to support the wellbeing of team members.

About the Position

Mental Health Law Enforcement Liaisons operate as a part of the Mobile Crisis Response team with a high degree of autonomy, responding to crises in conjunction with other emergency services professionals in Ottawa County. These clinicians work to maintain relationships across partner agencies and promote evidence-based and compassionate responses for individuals and families experiencing crisis. This position is unique, with opportunities for micro and mezzo practice that shape crisis response and behavioral health services toward the goals of reducing unnecessary hospitalization and criminal legal involvementthrough diversion, reducing stigma and traumatization for those in crisis, and aiding systemic transformation.

Please review these important details before applying for this position:

• This position offers non-traditional scheduling opportunities.
• The position provides additional training and certification opportunities, regular supervision, and functions as part of a supportive and close-knit team.
• The position requires flexibility and competency to collaborate with professionals across systems, including law enforcement partners, and to practice in various settings.
• This program is valued by our partners and the community, continuing to grow since its inception.

This is a professional position primarily responsible for community-based behavioral health crisis response. This is a key role, that involves responding to emergency calls with a mental health component, assisting with the training of law enforcement and first responders, and cross-sector coordination with social services and treatment providers. The position regularly provides direct intervention to people in a mental health crisis requiring emergency response, including assessment, de-escalation of crisis, safety planning, psychoeducation, and referrals to community resources.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the James Street Complex located at 12265 James Street, Holland, MI. Typical working hours are 8: a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Assigned work locations will rotate within Ottawa County.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Functions as part of the Crisis Services Department, assisting to ensure 24/7 emergency services, including crisis phone line, mobile crisis response, and walk-in services are consistently available for community members.
• Regularly engages in mobile crisis response as part of a two-person team and often in conjunction with law enforcement.
• Provides quality direct care encompassing brief clinical assessment, crisis stabilization, referral to treatment, and brief case management as appropriate.
• Assist with training and education to law enforcement and other first responders about mental health and CMH services through recurring Crisis Intervention Team training.
• Utilizes evidence-based and best practices to treat the target population, adhering to principles of recovery, community integration, and self-determination.
• Provides crisis intervention, assessing the immediate danger of the individual to self and/or others, and may assist in the coordination of placement of individuals into crisis facility or psychiatric inpatient unit. Coordinate with police and other community service providers in this process.
• Collaborate effectively and pragmatically with other first responders in the interest of public safety and compassionate public service.
• Maintains case documentation and case notes and ensures the security and integrity of private health information in compliance with the provisions of HIPAA, Ottawa County, and CMH policies and procedures.
• Attends and participates in agency meetings as well as program-specific team meetings.
• Provides information about mental health services and presents to partner agencies and the general public.
• Serves as an advocate for greater access to affordable, quality mental health care in the community.

Required Education, Training and Experience

A masters degree in social work, psychology, or a related mental health field is required. Two years of relevant professional experience in a mental health agency is preferred. Previous work experience within the criminal legal system or emergency services is highly valued. Completion of MDHHS-required training courses for Intensive Crisis Stabilization Services within the first six months of hire is mandatory.

Licenses and Certifications:

Must possess or obtain State of Michigan licensure as a Licensed Master's Social Worker, Limited Licensed Master's Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist, or Limited Licensed Psychologist. Valid Driver's License required.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and psychology.
• Thorough working knowledge of evidence-based and best practices for crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, and safety planning.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles of treatment for individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical assessment and diagnosis, and the DSM-IV criteria.
• Good working knowledge of the Medicaid Manual for Service Providers.
• Thorough working knowledge of professional standards of practice and ethics.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of medical record documentation and medical records management.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Cultural competency to work effectively with diverse populations in the community as well as within a law enforcement culture.
• Knowledge of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) is valued.
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheet, database and other necessary software programs.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.

Working Conditions:

Work is mostly performed out in the community in various public and private settings with some time spent in a general office setting or co-facilitating training as needed. Primary role of community-based crisis responder requires in-person response to 911-dispatched calls that have been identified to have a behavioral health component.

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position is benefited and is in the AFSCME bargaining unit. Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits Summary for more information.

The current wage scale can be viewed here.

Part-time benefitted positions will receive prorated benefits.

Employer Ottawa County

Address 12220 Fillmore Street

West Olive, Michigan, 49460

Phone 616-738-4800

Website http://www.miottawa.org