Internship Police Social Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $70,171.58 - $105,993.42 Annually
Location : Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26HSPH287KC24
Department: Human Services and Public Health
Division: Embedded Social Workers
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 11:59 PM Central
Description
Hennepin County's Behavioral Health area is seeking to hire a Senior Social Worker (SSW) to assist in early identification and intervention for individuals with mental health, medical, and substance use needs who reside in congregate living facilities and/or living independently in the community and have contact with emergency response systems such as law enforcement, fire, or EMS. This position will provide community outreach, resources, consultation, and care coordination to those referred. This position will also serve as a backup social worker for the Alternative Response Team (ART) which is comprised of a social worker and a community paramedic who responds to urgent behavioral health related 911 calls.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit .
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Location and hours:
This position is located onsite at the Brooklyn Park Police Department, 5400 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 and will require travel throughout Hennepin County. The work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with some evening and weekend hours for community engagement events. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About this position type:
This is a full-time benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Social Worker, Senior.
Click to view the job classification specification.
In this position, you will:

• Build collaborative relationships with law enforcement professionals and department leadership through case consultation, active engagement in meetings, presenting at rollcalls, and ride alongs.
• Provide outreach to individuals living in congregate settings, case managers, legal guardians, and residential providers either by phone, email, or in-person.
• Develop culturally informed interventions in collaboration with individuals and their support teams.
• Collaborate and consult with mental health professionals, case managers, and support networks with appropriate authorization.
• Conduct initial mental health screenings for adults, children, and adolescents in crisis.
• Provide crisis assessments in homes, community settings, or through telehealth.
• Complete mental status exams, determine provisional diagnoses, and develop short-term treatment goals and intervention plans.
• Deliver short-term stabilization services in person, by phone, or virtually.
• Document all services in the electronic medical record system in compliance with state statutes and program policies.
• Participate in community engagement events hosted by police departments and local municipalities.
• Serve as back-up Social Worker for the ART. In this role, you will:
  • Respond with a community-based paramedic or social worker to behavioral health crisis calls.
  • Provide outreach to individuals who frequently utilize emergency response systems.
  • Provide on-scene needs and risk assessments.
  • Utilize solution focused interventions and together with the individual in crisis create a personalized crisis/safety plan that is culturally informed, and person centered.
  • Facilitate immediate service coordination with community providers and connect individuals to new and existing supports.
  • Provide face-to-face therapeutic interventions, adjusting interventions based on environmental and safety factors.
  • Utilize state and county systems to document all assessments and case communications.
  • As needed, transport individuals in county vehicle to community providers to further stabilize.

Need to have:

• One of the following:
  • Master's degree or higher in social work or closely related field with course work emphasis in areas such as social work methods, human growth and behavior, and principles of social welfare.
  • Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services, and at least 18 semester (27 quarter) credits of graduate work in the above areas, and three years or more of full-time supervised experience as a social worker.
  • Licensed as a Graduate Social Worker by the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
• A valid driver's license and daily access to reliable transportation to travel primarily within the metro area to meet with persons in their residential settings and/or perform authorized off-site work duties, and the ability to obtain a to provide transportation as needed to essential services as well as the possibility of needing to drive a Hennepin County fleet vehicle.

Nice to have:

• Ability to obtain and maintain Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Network Certification and pass the CJIS Competency Exam within 6 months of employment. Annual certifications are required to continue employment.
• Licensed or working towards licensure in any of the following:
  • Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
• Experience:
  • Serving individuals living with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder.
  • Conducting initial mental health screenings for adults, children, and adolescents in crisis.
  • Completing mental status exams, determining provisional diagnoses, and developing short-term treatment goals and intervention plans.
• Knowledge of:
  • County and community resources for mental health, substance use disorder, social services, and basic needs.
  • Harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles, person-centered thinking, and social determinants of health.
  • Race-based disparities and the impact of these disparities on the development of a community, social justice, corrective justice, socio-economic statuses, and the effects to overall health and wellness of populations.
• Ability to:
  • Effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds including efforts towards disparity reduction.
  • Function well in unpredictable and challenging situations calling for sensitivity, flexibility, resourcefulness, and independent judgment.
  • Work well independently and as a team.
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal, organizational and computer skills.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Bilingual candidates who pass a language assessment may qualify for additional bilingual pay and duties.
About the department:
Human Services delivers a variety of services to individuals or families that assist with basic needs or encourage client change around specific objectives. We work with individuals as well as systems and communities in order to develop policy and advocate for the people we serve. The people we serve and our communities are connected. By helping one, we help the other.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
Your future. Made here.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Watch this video for application best practices and tips.
This position may have access to systems or other documentation that contains HIPAA data.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a drug test that may include testing for cannabis and/or a criminal background check.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Kristin Checco
Why work here?
Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including:

• Meaningful work
• Public service
• Competitive pay
• Work-life balance
• Generous benefits
• Opportunities to grow
• Commitment to your success

By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.
If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
01
This position is located onsite at the Brooklyn Park Police Department, 5400 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 and will require travel throughout Hennepin County. The work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with some evening and weekend hours for community engagement events. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
A valid driver's license and daily access to reliable transportation to travel primarily within the metro area to meet with persons in their residential settings and/or perform authorized off-site work duties.
The ability to obtain a Hennepin County Driver's Permit to provide transportation as needed to essential services as well as the possibility of needing to drive a Hennepin County fleet vehicle. Click to read about the County Permit Program.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02
Which of the following describes your education and experience as related to this posting? Check all that apply.

• Master's degree or higher in social work or closely related field with course work emphasis in areas such as social work methods, human growth and behavior, and principles or social welfare
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services, and 18 semester (27 quarter) credits of graduate work in the above areas, and three years of full-time supervised experience as a social worker
• Licensed as a Graduate Social Worker by the Minnesota Board of Social Work
• None of the above

03
List your relevant education making reference to area(s) of study, school(s) attended, credits completed and certificate(s)/degree(s) earned. Include your 18 semester (27 quarter) credits of graduate work in the above areas. If you do not have any relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
04
How many years of full-time supervised work experience do you have as a social worker?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

05
Describe your supervised work experience as a social worker, referencing jobs listed on your resume/application. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
06
Which of the following applies to your current certification of the Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Network (CJDN)?

• I am currently certified for Minnesota CJDN access
• I am able to obtain Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Network Certification and pass the CJIS Competency Exam within 6 months of employment.
• Neither of the above

07
Indicate which of the following active State of Minnesota certifications/licensures you have. Check all that apply.

• Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)
• Licensed Graduate Social Worker
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
• Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Not a licensed social worker at this time, but I am eligible for licensure
• None of the above

08
How many years of experience do you have serving individuals living with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder?

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more, but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more, but less than 4 years
• 4 years or more

09
Describe your experience serving individuals living with a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder, referencing jobs listed on your resume/application. If you do not have t