Sworn Police Officer / HART Program

Sworn Police Officer / HART Program - ACPD
Albemarle County Police Department
Full Time, 12 Months
Non-Exempt, Public Safety Pay Scale
Benefits Eligible, VRS Eligible

Job Summary/ Objective:

The successful candidate will be assigned to a multi-disciplinary mental health team consisting of members from the Fire/Rescue Department, Social Services Department, and Police Department to respond and follow-up on emergency calls related to mental health and/or substance abuse. Responsibilities may include de-escalating and supporting residents in crisis; utilizing crisis stabilization services; connecting residents in-need with community and mainstream resources; and providing alternative response and best practice(s) education to police department personnel and community members.

Additional responsibilities may include the performance of general duty police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement laws and ordinances. The work in this position normally consists of routine patrol, preliminary investigation and traffic control duties in a designated area on an assigned shift. Patrol may be performed in motor vehicles, on motorcycles, or on foot. Police officer duties involve an element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without immediate supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies. An officer may be assigned to work on special assignments or as an investigator, K-9 officer, plainclothes officer, community relations officer, or training officer. Specific work assignments are made by a police sergeant or other superior, and work methods and results are checked through personal inspections, review of reports and discussions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Essential Functions:

• Maintains regular and professional contact with mental health team members including fire/rescue, Region 10, hospitals, and other behavioral health providers.
• Serves as a direct liaison between the mental health community, the police department, and the multi-disciplinary mental health team.
• Builds and maintains critical collaborative relationships with other departmental and community-based program(s) to assure effective delivery of services.
• Works closely with community and team members to identify and address barriers preventing people from obtaining necessary resources and support.
• Responds to mental health and/or substance abuse-related emergency calls.
• Completes mental health follow-ups with identified consumers or referrals from the police department and/or other agencies.
• Completes assessments of individuals in mental health crisis to determine if involuntary hospitalization or other services are required.
• Coordinates with local mental health agencies for continuity of care.
• Identifies community members with high EMS use that also have behavioral health needs, provides plan for ongoing support.
• Provides transportation to mental health consumers requesting and/or requiring hospitalization.
• Performs assessment, navigation, crisis intervention, and de-escalation activities as required.
• Coordinates, prepares, and/or reviews monthly or special reports as directed.
• Evaluates programmatic outcomes and needs and advocates for same.
• Participates in agency functional teams and workgroups, and in agency and interagency meetings.
• Attends roll calls to educate and/or update officers and supervisors about the program and current work activity.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Secondary Essential Functions:

• Patrols the County to preserve law and order, to identify and solve problems, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, to serve the public and to direct traffic and enforce motor vehicle laws.
• Answers calls and complaints involving fire, automobile accidents, neighborhood disturbances and other misdemeanor and felony crimes occurring in the County.
• Secures crime scenes, administers first aid, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses and makes arrests.
• Testifies in court in connection with arrests and citations.
• Conducts criminal investigations and sensitive internal investigations.
• Interviews/interrogates suspects, gathers information and prepares detailed reports.
• Interviews persons with complaints and inquiries, attempts to make proper disposition, or directs them to proper authorities.
• Give advice on laws, ordinances and general information to the public.
• Covers an assigned sector/beat in County with primary emphasis on community policing/problem solving.
• Maintains evidence and other property.
• Recruits candidates to apply for police positions.
• Attends regular in-service training classes to maintain state certification.
• Performs crime prevention activities (security surveys, presentations to civic and business groups, etc.).

Competency: Knowledge /Skills/Abilities:

• Understanding of mental illness and substance use disorders, and their impact on individual and community wellbeing.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention strategies; de-escalation; client autonomy and choice; casework principles; harm reduction philosophy; practical problem-solving; mental health services available in the community.

• Flexible and insightful problem-solving and open to exchanging of ideas.

• Ability to plan and manage work activities with limited supervision; behavioral health interventions; crisis intervention; de-escalation strategies; developing collaborative relationships; recognizing when to seek supervision/support; accepting feedback; developing programs and procedures; making decisions in difficult situations; communicating effectively both orally and in writing; applying service and intervention approaches; interpreting laws, policies and regulations regarding human services, ensure compliance and recommend needed changes; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the community, partnering agencies, and other county departments; analyzing situations to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations;
• Some knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures, or the ability to acquire this knowledge and apply it to specific situations; some knowledge of the geography of the County and the location of important landmarks and buildings, or the ability to acquire this knowledge rapidly; ability to deal courteously but firmly with the general public; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports; physical ability to perform job tasks; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the general public.

Required Education and Experience:

• Must be a certified law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Have a minimum of three (3) years sworn law enforcement experience.
• Certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) member or ability to obtain certification within one (1) year from date of employment.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to two years of continuous employment.
• Possess or be eligible for a valid driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Have no felony or habitual misdemeanor convictions.
• Pass an extensive background investigation which includes a polygraph, psychological, medical, and drug screening.
• Successfully complete appropriate training as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Criminal Justice Services for certified police officers.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• Certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) instructor.
• Experience in human services and required training programs, including Trauma-Informed Care, De-escalation, Mental Health and Stress First Aid, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and Narcan administration.
• Completion of some college-level coursework.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Must be able to operate motor vehicle under normal and emergency conditions.
• Must be able to physically subdue and restrain an individual.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Requires extensive walking, standing, running and frequent heavy lifting and pushing.
• Requires working in adverse weather.
• Flexible shift hours (to include nights) and stressful and sometimes life-threatening conditions.
• Must carry a firearm and qualify at least annually with the weapon.

Remote Work:

This position is not eligible for remote work. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Salary Range :
The hiring range for this position is based on the Public Safety Pay scale. Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

Deadline for Applications : Posted until January 20, 2025.


Albemarle County Core Values:

Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County’s Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through

Community: We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.

Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.

Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.

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• Albemarle County

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