The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.  

The Department of Community and Human Services, Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) is leading several initiatives to provide access to relevant behavioral health services to youth and families.
 
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is responsible for coordination of key suicide prevention activities currently underway and implementation of new efforts. Working in a team environment, this position is responsible for collaboratively planning, implementing, managing, and reporting. While at times working independently, this position functions as part of a larger team of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division working collaboratively to align and administer efforts supporting suicide prevention. 

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. 

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, “see my resume” are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive.

WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: This is a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) or Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position anticipated to end December 31, 2023, but subject to change dependent on operational need. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. 

Teleworking Requirement 

The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking) complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  

RECRUITER: Annette Coleman, annette.coleman@kingcounty.gov 

• Coordinate an overarching strategy involving ongoing and new youth isolation/suicide prevention initiatives.
• Improve linkages and coordination of post-vention services. 
• Start and convene a King County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
• Participate in efforts led by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, PSESD, and the State Department of Health.
• Be the identified, BHRD lead staff person coordinating the constellation of youth suicide prevention efforts between DCHS, Public Health, Medical Examiner’s Office, and efforts managed by municipal parks departments.
• Coordinate with and inform the work of aligned County and community-led efforts around mental health, substance use, and community well-being.
• Participate with other efforts as they relate to youth isolation/suicide prevention (e.g. communications/marketing efforts about county resources, expansion of youth peer supports, etc.)
• Seek and develop ongoing funding for suicide prevention efforts.
• Develop relationships between schools and behavioral health providers to ensure schools have behavioral health supports to train their staff on youth depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, etc.
• Work with schools and educational service district staff to create a referral entryway for youth to access direct services when schools identify youth who are starting to miss school.
• Identify gaps and solutions in outreach to diverse youth/families(e.g. how are we getting resource information out to families without internet, for whom English isn’t spoken at home, etc.)
• Be a subject matter expert in the area of youth self-harm.
• Have an understanding of the broad continuum of youth behavioral health.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Service Profession (i.e., psychology, social work, public health, etc.) with a strong understanding of and experience with SBIRT model or equivalent education and experience.  Military, educational or direct experience may be substituted for a Bachelor's (applicant must state relevance of experience in application).
• Demonstrated knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices, and understanding of the effects of place, race and policy and systems-based inequities on marginalized communities and populations.
• Minimum of four years of experience with community building, working as part of a team to implement new programs or pilots, working in behavioral health services and/or prevention programs.
• Knowledge and/or experience with strengths-based and positive approaches to problem solving, partnership development and support.
• Ability to identify intersecting issues, conflicts, and opportunities for collaboration, including use of an equity lens for analysis.
• Experience planning, program implementation with public involvement, data collection and continuous improvement.
• Ability to function sensitively and professionally in collaboration with diverse communities, including responding to family, community or partner questions, concerns and/or complaints.
• Experience working successfully with diverse public and private stakeholders in a politically complex environment.
• Demonstrated facilitation, negotiation, and consensus-building skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the behavioral health services systems, public health system, education system, or similarly related systems particularly related to services for children and youth.
• Experience supporting multiple projects and tracking activities and deliverables/reporting requirements to move projects forward and achieve outcomes, including reviewing and approving invoices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation, facilitation and public speaking; ability to present complicated issues in an accessible manner to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work creatively and flexibly, both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to work under deadlines, work on a number of tasks simultaneously, and organize and prioritize work quickly in response to changing needs.
• Proficiency in the use of personal computers with working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and the Internet.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.