Benton County, Minnesota
Mental Health Co-Responder II
Benton County, Minnesota, Foley, Minnesota, United States, 56329
Job Title
Mental Health Co‑Responder II
Location Benton County, Minnesota
Job Summary The Mental Health Co‑Responder II works in partnership with law enforcement to provide immediate and follow‑up responses to individuals experiencing mental health crises within the community. This position is responsible for assessing client needs, coordinating available resources, and facilitating crisis intervention, service planning, clinical observation, counseling, and resource coordination to promote safety and stabilization for individuals, families, and groups in need. The role includes daily interaction with the public, corrections staff, social workers, and community providers.
Essential Functions
Complete jail duties as assigned, including service coordination and discharge planning for inmates.
Daily interactions with the public, corrections, and social workers regarding mental health crises, and collaborate with community providers.
Facilitate immediate planning, disposition, and coordination of services and resources for individuals in the community.
Provide response in crisis situations; maintain safety for clients and the community; develop and implement a safety plan for clients to maximize safety and minimize community risk.
Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams such as BCAT and other related groups.
Screen for basic needs and assist with referral services to community living resources that meet individual client needs and choices.
Provide information and referral services to individuals from diverse populations, both in the jail and in the community, for mental health and chemical health issues.
Data entry as required by grants/funding source.
Respond to behavioral health‑related calls with law enforcement and provide behavioral health evaluations, problem identification, crisis interventions, crisis treatment/care plans, and make referrals.
Provide follow‑up, as needed, to individuals served via phone calls, messages, and on‑site visits, accompanied by law enforcement as required.
Follow direction from partnering law enforcement officer/deputy regarding on‑scene safety, security measures, and protocol.
Provide behavioral health consultation to officers/deputies while responding to mental health‑related calls.
Coordinate with mental health crisis response teams to ensure the needs of community providers are addressed in an efficient and timely manner.
Integrate within Benton County Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance and rapid response consultation on complex cases and access to appropriate services.
Integrate with other system partners on the Community Action Team, such as law enforcement, providers, community corrections, jails, health systems, and others.
Other duties as assigned.
Additional Functions
Responsible for performing diagnostic assessments to determine inmates’ level of mental health functioning.
Develop treatment or crisis plans, case note and maintain appropriate documentation, and communicate with other criminal justice, human services, or mental health professionals on inmates’ cases.
Schedule and conduct individual and/or group counseling sessions, provide direction in setting short/long‑term goals and objectives, and prepare inmates for re‑entry back to the general population.
Provide mental health release planning, mental health assessments and evaluation, treatment activities and evidence‑based therapeutic interventions to individuals and groups.
Attend and participate in weekly classification meetings with jail administration.
Provide behavioral health training to officers/deputies/jail staff as requested.
Maintain a paperless system for recordkeeping.
Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
Valid and current Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) license or meet the requirements of a qualified Mental Health Professional in MN Statutes 245.462, Subd. 18.
Licensure required or must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
Licenses accepted for diagnostic assessments and psychotherapy, including LPCC, LMFT, or Licensed Psychologist (LP) in Minnesota.
Must be able to make psychosocial assessments and develop and implement care plans, provide after‑hours service as needed.
Minimum of three to five years of social work experience or equivalent education plus work experience; preferred experience working in a correctional setting or with justice‑involved individuals in crisis response.
Strong knowledge of the Minnesota mental health system and commitment processes.
Possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive in Minnesota.
Must successfully complete a background check.
Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
Within six months of hire, obtain and maintain: FBI Level 4 Criminal Justice Information System Security Training/Testing, FBI Fingerprinting Certification, BCA Single Certification (training, testing, and certification maintained annually).
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience working with or embedded in law enforcement or emergency response teams.
Training in CIT (Crisis Intervention Team), de‑escalation, or hostage negotiation support.
Strong clinical skills in risk assessment, trauma‑informed care, and systems navigation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong crisis management capability with clinical accuracy and composure in high‑stress situations.
Skilled in interagency collaboration with law enforcement and emergency response teams.
Ability to diagnose mental health disorders; strong skill set in individual and family therapy.
Strong communication skills for clear, professional, and empathetic interaction with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
Maintain discretion and strict adherence to confidentiality and privacy laws, policies, and ethical standards.
Demonstrate dedication and conscientiousness in carrying out job responsibilities.
Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of federal and state laws, as well as County policies and procedures.
Ability to perform job functions governed by policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and law.
Other knowledge, skills, and abilities as applied to the position.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
Typical Working Environment: 80% inside work (office and field work), 20% travel.
Work performed in office and field (clients’ homes, hospitals, group homes, schools, shelters, correctional facilities).
Exposure to high‑stress, hazardous, or emotionally intense situations.
Field visits to clients’ homes may expose employees to unsanitary conditions, communicable illnesses, and unpredictable or unsafe environments.
Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day.
Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available.
Regular sitting, walking, standing, driving, talking, hearing, typing, repetitive movement, and seeing.
Exposure to mental effort and stress; high attention to detail.
Exposure to computer keyboards and screens.
Hours of Work
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (flexible schedule).
Availability for evening, weekend, and after‑hours response as needed.
Equipment Utilized
Office equipment, computer hardware and software, medical equipment, personal vehicle, county vehicle, county cell phone, and phones.
Application Deadline Monday, January 26, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
Equal Opportunity Statement Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Contact & Apply View Full Job Description and Apply:
Benton County Career Opportunities
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location Benton County, Minnesota
Job Summary The Mental Health Co‑Responder II works in partnership with law enforcement to provide immediate and follow‑up responses to individuals experiencing mental health crises within the community. This position is responsible for assessing client needs, coordinating available resources, and facilitating crisis intervention, service planning, clinical observation, counseling, and resource coordination to promote safety and stabilization for individuals, families, and groups in need. The role includes daily interaction with the public, corrections staff, social workers, and community providers.
Essential Functions
Complete jail duties as assigned, including service coordination and discharge planning for inmates.
Daily interactions with the public, corrections, and social workers regarding mental health crises, and collaborate with community providers.
Facilitate immediate planning, disposition, and coordination of services and resources for individuals in the community.
Provide response in crisis situations; maintain safety for clients and the community; develop and implement a safety plan for clients to maximize safety and minimize community risk.
Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams such as BCAT and other related groups.
Screen for basic needs and assist with referral services to community living resources that meet individual client needs and choices.
Provide information and referral services to individuals from diverse populations, both in the jail and in the community, for mental health and chemical health issues.
Data entry as required by grants/funding source.
Respond to behavioral health‑related calls with law enforcement and provide behavioral health evaluations, problem identification, crisis interventions, crisis treatment/care plans, and make referrals.
Provide follow‑up, as needed, to individuals served via phone calls, messages, and on‑site visits, accompanied by law enforcement as required.
Follow direction from partnering law enforcement officer/deputy regarding on‑scene safety, security measures, and protocol.
Provide behavioral health consultation to officers/deputies while responding to mental health‑related calls.
Coordinate with mental health crisis response teams to ensure the needs of community providers are addressed in an efficient and timely manner.
Integrate within Benton County Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance and rapid response consultation on complex cases and access to appropriate services.
Integrate with other system partners on the Community Action Team, such as law enforcement, providers, community corrections, jails, health systems, and others.
Other duties as assigned.
Additional Functions
Responsible for performing diagnostic assessments to determine inmates’ level of mental health functioning.
Develop treatment or crisis plans, case note and maintain appropriate documentation, and communicate with other criminal justice, human services, or mental health professionals on inmates’ cases.
Schedule and conduct individual and/or group counseling sessions, provide direction in setting short/long‑term goals and objectives, and prepare inmates for re‑entry back to the general population.
Provide mental health release planning, mental health assessments and evaluation, treatment activities and evidence‑based therapeutic interventions to individuals and groups.
Attend and participate in weekly classification meetings with jail administration.
Provide behavioral health training to officers/deputies/jail staff as requested.
Maintain a paperless system for recordkeeping.
Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
Valid and current Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) license or meet the requirements of a qualified Mental Health Professional in MN Statutes 245.462, Subd. 18.
Licensure required or must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
Licenses accepted for diagnostic assessments and psychotherapy, including LPCC, LMFT, or Licensed Psychologist (LP) in Minnesota.
Must be able to make psychosocial assessments and develop and implement care plans, provide after‑hours service as needed.
Minimum of three to five years of social work experience or equivalent education plus work experience; preferred experience working in a correctional setting or with justice‑involved individuals in crisis response.
Strong knowledge of the Minnesota mental health system and commitment processes.
Possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive in Minnesota.
Must successfully complete a background check.
Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
Within six months of hire, obtain and maintain: FBI Level 4 Criminal Justice Information System Security Training/Testing, FBI Fingerprinting Certification, BCA Single Certification (training, testing, and certification maintained annually).
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience working with or embedded in law enforcement or emergency response teams.
Training in CIT (Crisis Intervention Team), de‑escalation, or hostage negotiation support.
Strong clinical skills in risk assessment, trauma‑informed care, and systems navigation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong crisis management capability with clinical accuracy and composure in high‑stress situations.
Skilled in interagency collaboration with law enforcement and emergency response teams.
Ability to diagnose mental health disorders; strong skill set in individual and family therapy.
Strong communication skills for clear, professional, and empathetic interaction with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
Maintain discretion and strict adherence to confidentiality and privacy laws, policies, and ethical standards.
Demonstrate dedication and conscientiousness in carrying out job responsibilities.
Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of federal and state laws, as well as County policies and procedures.
Ability to perform job functions governed by policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and law.
Other knowledge, skills, and abilities as applied to the position.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
Typical Working Environment: 80% inside work (office and field work), 20% travel.
Work performed in office and field (clients’ homes, hospitals, group homes, schools, shelters, correctional facilities).
Exposure to high‑stress, hazardous, or emotionally intense situations.
Field visits to clients’ homes may expose employees to unsanitary conditions, communicable illnesses, and unpredictable or unsafe environments.
Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day.
Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available.
Regular sitting, walking, standing, driving, talking, hearing, typing, repetitive movement, and seeing.
Exposure to mental effort and stress; high attention to detail.
Exposure to computer keyboards and screens.
Hours of Work
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (flexible schedule).
Availability for evening, weekend, and after‑hours response as needed.
Equipment Utilized
Office equipment, computer hardware and software, medical equipment, personal vehicle, county vehicle, county cell phone, and phones.
Application Deadline Monday, January 26, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
Equal Opportunity Statement Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Contact & Apply View Full Job Description and Apply:
Benton County Career Opportunities
#J-18808-Ljbffr