Court Navigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary:

First Judicial District Training Navigator is responsible for training staff of the First Judicial District Court of Pennsylvania in behavioral health topics. These trainings are designed to increase the behavioral health literacy of First Judicial District Court personnel by, helping them to recognize signs that individuals they serve may be experiencing behavioral health challenges and refer them to the BHJD Resource Hub for connection to appropriate supports. Key trainings center on recognizing signs of behavioral health issues (e.g., Mental Health First Aid, Hearing Disturbing Voices), suicide prevention (e.g., Question, Persuade, Refer), and trauma-informed/trauma responsive care. This role is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

First Judicial District Training Navigator has a secondary responsibility to provide navigation support to the Philadelphia Police Department’s Behavioral Health Unit (BHU). The BHU is comprised of two programs, Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) and Police Assisted Diversion (PAD).

Navigators help the BHU "navigate" the maze of the court system, treatment programs, and community supports to ensure the individuals the BHU engages with are successfully linked to the appropriate care and services. Navigators also work to reduce the barriers that keep individuals with mental health needs from remaining in the community, getting timely access to treatment, and diversion from incarceration when appropriate. Navigators practice cultural humility and are mindful of racial disparities across the legal system

Duties and Responsibilities:

General Duties

• Learn and observe all standard operating procedures developed for the Behavioral Health Unit, BHJD, and DBHIDS that pertain to Navigation work
• Participate in Navigator training, development, and team building
• Achieve and maintain Key Performance Indicators identified by BHJD’s Continuous Quality Improvement framework
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Sequential Intercept Model and behavioral health treatment
• Enter and maintain clinical and program data in appropriate databases
• Maintain accurate, confidential records to document services provided using appropriate databases
• Conduct in-person and virtual (including hybrid) behavioral health trainings for First Judicial District Court staff on topics including behavioral health symptom recognition, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed/trauma responsive care
• Develop and coordinate training schedules with First Judicial District Court leadership
• Develop and maintain relationships with the First Judicial District, Office of Public Safety, Defender Association of Philadelphia, Office of the District Attorney, Adult Probation and Parole (APPD), the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, Philadelphia Crisis Line (PCL), Crisis Response Centers, local treatment providers, etc.
• Network with area community providers and provide resource coordination
• Assist with training legal partners on how to access and utilize the Behavioral Health Unit.
• Support the identification of individuals who could potentially qualify for diversion from the competency restoration track
• Perform behavioral health and criminal history reviews, screenings, and assessments to determine an individual’s treatment needs
• Coordinate monthly in-service training for BHU staff
• Facilitate connection to behavioral health treatment and support services
• Assist with referrals to case management
• Re-link individuals with pre-existing services and supports
• Attend National Co-Responder Conference on a yearly basis
• Miscellaneous and project-based duties of a time-limited nature

Skills Required:

• This position requires strong clinical skills, case management skills, and an ability to navigate systems of care, the criminal justice system, and community resources.
• Strong in-person and virtual verbal and multimedia presentation skills
• Strong clinical and case management skills
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of multiple languages a plus
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to navigate the behavioral health and criminal justice systems in Philadelphia
• Knowledge of mental health disorders (especially SMIs), substance use disorders, and co-occurring challenges
• Knowledge of how behavioral health issues intersect with the criminal justice system in the City of Philadelphia.
• Cross-cultural skills and experience with culturally diverse populations. Recovery experience preferred.
• Knowledge of benefits, benefits activation, and how to utilize benefits to access treatment and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and agencies representing varying perspectives and interests.

Additional skills include:

• Recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness
• Understanding medications
• Understanding special populations
• Connecting with families and consumers
• Employing de-escalation techniques to improve and manage behavior
• Initiating 302 petitions

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferred in the field of social work, psychology or a related clinical field with at least 2 years of experience working with individuals with serious mental illness.

Candidates must have a working knowledge of the Philadelphia Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice systems.

Able to travel locally via public transportation and on foot from 1601 Market Street to 1101 Market Street, CBH, and various other destinations as needed. Valid driver’s license and use of personal licensed and insured vehicle during work hours to travel from Center city to other sites (e.g., Norristown State Hospital, jails, Philadelphia Police Academy). Ability to pass all background checks required by the Philadelphia Prison System. Ability to effectively utilize computers, databases, and related common office software packages such as Microsoft Office

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law.