Mental Health Evaluation Specialist - Corrections Bureau

About the Sheriff’s Office

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has over 302 commissioned corrections personnel who maintain the safety of the community by supervising approximately 1100 inmates in two facilities as well as providing for the movement between the Pierce County Corrections Detention Center and the courts.

The Pierce County Detention and Corrections Center Mental Health Department provides services to people with mental illness who are incarcerated in the correctional facility. This position is exciting, challenging, multifaceted and rewarding.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office prides itself on upholding our Core Values:
Courage, Compassion, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility. Pierce County Sheriff’s Office employees are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism to serve citizens and help make Pierce County one of the best places to live and work in the beautiful Great Northwest.

Employees in this classification are responsible for the evaluation and risk assessments of mentally ill inmates at Pierce County Detention and Corrections Center. Incumbents work closely as an integrated team with correctional staff and the medical department to oversee and ensure that appropriate care is given within the detention facility and/or available upon release or transfer to another facility.

Employees have the choice of working either five 8-hour shifts or four 10-hour shifts. Work is performed during day shift. Weekend and paid on-call hours may be required. On-call is at least 1 night per week and consists of being on call from 6:00pm to 8:00am.

The Mental Health Manager is an approved supervisor who can supervise hours toward a Licensed Mental Health Counselor license for those that have a Licensed Mental Health Associates.

• Triage and prioritize referrals for mental health care according to emergent level of need.
• Provide risk assessment and brief crisis stabilization services.
• Work with outside agencies on release planning and follow up in the community.
• Determine appropriate housing needs, within the Pierce County Detention and Corrections Center (PCDCC) for those with a mental disorder or developmental/ intellectual disability and upon release or transfer.
• Assess the involvement and extent of substance use and make appropriate referrals.
• Assess for the need for psychiatric medication and make referrals to the provider.
• Make involuntary treatment referrals when needed prior to the release of the inmate.
• Participate in rotating call assignment to assure 24-hour mental health coverage.
• Coordinate care with multi-disciplinary team of treatment professionals within the PCDCC and work with provider liaisons/case managers to ensure proper treatment of mentally ill inmates.
• Identify system concerns and assist in developing appropriate intervention.
• Provide education to medical and corrections staff as necessary to facilitate cross system coordination.
• Work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime.
• For additional information, please refer to the class description - Mental Health Evaluation Specialist

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Possess and maintain current license or associate license in Washington State as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Advanced Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. License must be in good standing with no license restrictions or probationary status.
• Two years experience providing psychosocial/mental health services and/or crisis intervention services in an adult mental health setting required.
• Must be a United States citizen, lawful permanent resident or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) recipient, and ability to speak, read and write the English language as required by RCW 41.14.100.
• Ability to successfully complete a Pierce County Sheriff’s Office background investigation, which may include a medical physical, behavioral assessment and polygraph, is required prior to hire.
• As a condition of…