Internship First Responder Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Countywide, AZ
Job Type: D Temporary, Part-Time
Job Number: 080226
Department: Sheriff's Office
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
TEMPORARY, PART-TIME BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARA-PROFESSIONAL - COUNTYWIDE
OPENS: Friday, August 7, 2026
CLOSES: Friday, September 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
ANTICIPATED RATE OF PAY: $19.23 - $24.04 hourly
HOURS: Up to 19.5 hours per week
PLEASE NOTE: All positions at Cochise County require a post offer, pre-employment background screening and a psychological evaluation.
NATURE OF WORK: Under general supervision, performs research, development, design and implementation of the Cochise County Mental Health Support Team, a functional, evidence-based, customized mental health support team with an understanding of local and national community resources; performs related duties as assigned.
Essential Functions
As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.
TYPICAL DUTIES: (Illustrative Only) Collaborates with the Behavioral Health Professional Program Manager (BHPPM) for research, development, design and implementation of the Cochise County Mental Health Support Team; responds to calls for service and interfaces with high acuity community members experiencing behavioral health and substance use issues; focuses on community stabilization and crisis resolution for members of the community experiencing distress that does not qualify as a crime or life-threatening medical emergency; reduces hospitalizations and incarcerations; provides relevant and effective interventions based on community member need; connects community members to existing support infrastructure; decreases unnecessary time on scene for public safety officers; collaborates with the MHST on initial program development, continuous improvement and implementation of the MHST; provides direct service to community members through high utilizer case management, proactive outreach, direct dispatch or other calls for service; works with an interdisciplinary team of first responders, law enforcement, mental health service providers, healthcare workers and crisis mobile specialists; maintains documentation for data collection, program analytics, and reporting.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate Degree in Behavioral Health from an accredited institution of higher learning recognized by the US Department of Education or a certification in Behavioral Health issued by a state or federal agency or by a recognized professional organization; possess or have the ability to obtain CIT and CPI certifications; two (2) years of post-degree clinical experience or one (1) year of an internship of professional experience; two (2) years of experience working or an internship with one (1) or more of the following: public safety agencies, first response, crisis evaluation, substance abuse treatment, emergency or public health departments; must possess or have the ability to obtain a Level 1 fingerprint clearance card; must possess and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license and the ability to be covered by county insurance. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preference may be given to individuals with experience in community health settings, and/or with the substance use population. In addition, preference may be given to individuals who speak English and Spanish.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Thorough knowledge of:

• principles and practices of counseling;
• principles and practices of de-escalation and crisis intervention;
• principles and practices of transitional care programs;
• social determinants of health and substance abuse;
• trauma informed care.

Considerable knowledge of:

• principles and practices of rehabilitation;
• principles and practices of addiction treatment;
• principles and practices of medication assisted therapies;
• Arizona State statutes relevant to public safety and behavioral health;
• ACHSS and the psychiatric crisis system;
• community resources, entities and processes that make up the crisis system;
• community-based continuum of care.

Considerable skill in:

• gathering, analyzing, and evaluating data;
• organization, adaptability and decision making;
• critical thinking in high stress or high intensity situations;
• building strong working relationships.

Ability to:

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public;
• follow written and verbal instruction;
• read, write and speak English;
• communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• prepare written findings and diagnoses in a detailed, clear and precise manner;
• adapt to changing program requirement needs to develop new methods, approaches and/or procedures;
• perform staff trainings;
• coordinate closely with area resources such as health care professionals, pharmacist services, rehabilitation facilities, support and outreach, legal services;
• provide other support as is appropriate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily performed under general supervision in a variety of climatic conditions; potential exposure to remote, isolated areas; exposed to potentially hazardous situations where the possibility of physical violence and harm exists. May require travel at a high rate of speed, working on-call, early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, extended hours, and holidays as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Essential functions of this position require: lifting up to 10 pounds, manual dexterity, ability to communicate.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body; involves sitting majority of time; walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Mental Application: Utilizes memory for details and verbal instructions, requires emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem-solving skills.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for those that are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
Cochise County is an Equal Opportunity Employer