Direct First Responder Counselor Jobs in Arizona

Make an impact supporting those who serve our communities.

Join CPR's Public Safety Program and provide specialized behavioral health support to first responders, including law enforcement, fire service, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and other public safety professionals. This role offers the opportunity to build expertise within a unique clinical population while working closely with public safety agencies to promote resilience, wellness, and recovery.

Schedule & Work Environment:
Typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. or 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with the possibility of a 4/10 schedule based on program needs. This position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities to provide services remotely from home, in a clinical setting, and onsite at public safety agencies and institutions.

The Public Safety Clinician also participates in a rotating after-hours/on-call schedule supporting Phoenix Police Department. On-call responsibilities are shared among the clinical team, allowing coverage to be distributed on a rotating basis. Clinicians receive additional compensation for on-call coverage and eligible after-hours services in accordance with the program’s established on-call rates.

Specific on-call expectations, rotation frequency, and applicable rates will be reviewed during the interview process.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Professional development and training opportunities
• The opportunity to develop specialized expertise working with the first responder population

The Public Safety Clinician provides professional behavioral health services designed to decrease the impact of behavioral health disorders and other emotional disturbances within the first responder population. Primary responsibilities include consultation, triage, assessment, and treatment, requiring the application of specialized knowledge of first responder culture and evidence-based behavioral health interventions tailored to this unique population.

Clinicians collaborate closely with public safety organizations to deliver accessible, culturally responsive care while fostering resilience, wellness, and recovery within the first responder community.

At CPR, we are committed to making diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging an integral part of our daily operations. We strive to hire and retain talented, diverse, and creative individuals, and we are dedicated to ensuring equitable treatment by promoting fairness and respect at every level of our organization.

• Knowledge of the first responder population. 

• Excellent oral and written skills to communicate in a professional manner with clients.

• Strong clinical skills to diagnose and treat behavioral health issues.

• Specific training and understanding of various trauma theories. 

• Minimum experience providing clinical care to individuals experiencing trauma-related symptoms, crisis situations, and/or high-acuity behavioral health needs. 

• Experience with trauma-informed approaches is required. 

• Experience working in this capacity with First Responders is preferred.

• Ability to travel to various local locations when necessary.

• Ability to identify when certain accommodations may be beneficial to the client - FMLA, Industrial Injuries, HB2502, modified duty.

• Knowledge of and ability to provide various CISM interventions. 

• Attention to detail and being able to problem solve and work independently.

• Ability to work within an electronic medical record system (EMR)

• Carry a caseload. 

• Provide onsite consultation, triage, wellness checks, CISM interventions, and post critical incident evaluations when needed. 

• Determines client service needs by assessing individual client’s level of functioning, behavioral health symptoms and history.

• Determine diagnosis and treatment needs and develop individualized client treatment plans.  

• Work collaboratively with all team members of the Public Safety and Outpatient team in order to ensure clinical needs are met of all clients. 

• Provide referrals, coordinate access to higher levels of care, and case management. 

• Work closely with external Public Safety Agency teams. 

• Continuously assess and determine the degree of Danger to Self (DTS) behavior or intention and the degree of Danger to Others (DTO) behavior or intention of the patient.

• Complete all appropriate documentation and follow documentation timelines. 

• Reliable and predictable attendance is an essential job function.

• Other duties as assigned

• Current, unrestricted independent license issued by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners: LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)

• Documented post-master’s experience for two (2) years, including experience within the past 24 months providing Outpatient counseling services, or an equivalent of experience, skills and education. Appropriate reference checks by letter or telephone as requested. Background check, as required by state.

• Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) trained preferred, but will be provided as needed.