Salary : $92,431.19 - $127,597.54 Annually
Location : Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 26-00255
Department: Fire
Division: FD_Ops_EmergMedSvcs_CARES
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NONAFF

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.
Job Summary
Come join us and be a part of an exciting program! Bellevue Fire CARES is looking for a Crisis Response Social Worker to be a part of an innovative, multidisciplinary team to respond to 911 calls for people in crisis. You will directly accompany emergency medical responders and/or law enforcement on scene to assist individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, homelessness, domestic violence and other crises. Your duties include considerable public contact and are intended to bridge the gap between emergency medical response and/or law enforcement and the social needs of people within this population.
Learn more:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond with fire and police personnel to individuals in crisis including, behavioral health, substance use, homelessness, self-neglect, domestic violence and hoarding.
• Evaluate mental health status and make DCR referrals, when appropriate.
• Cultivate contacts and establish and maintain positive, effective, collaborative working relationships with Bellevue Fire and Police Department personnel, other law enforcement agencies, other emergency medical response agencies, court system, community leaders, federal, state, regional and local agencies, homeless shelters, area community service and faith-based groups, staff of state and local hospitals and health professionals in an effort to care for and assist chronic utilizers and other individuals in need of social services.
• Establish and maintain rapport with the individuals served.
• Provide information, consultation and referral. Respond to requests for information about available services for homelessness, behavioral health, substance use and other human and social service needs.
• Promote best practices in engagement approaches, support systems and interventions. Meet with and interview contacts, families and other care providers to assess needs and eligibility for services. Advocate needs of individuals within and outside system; liaise between individuals, caregivers and service providers. Provide client-level and system-wide troubleshooting and advocacy.
• Follow-up with identified individuals in an effort to bridge gaps between emergency medical responders and/or police and social services.
• Consult with other agency professionals on difficult cases.
• Work effectively within law enforcement and fire department environment and, which includes exposure to high stress, rapidly evolving incidents, public safety culture and norms.
• Prepare memos, correspondence, records, case notes and reports related to social service activities.
• Work variable shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Modern office practices and computer applications including spreadsheets, databases and statistics.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with team members, other departments and city staff, city officials and the public.
• Proficient research, statistical and analytical skills.
• Work effectively in team environments.
• Express ideas and recommendations clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• View and address the total spectrum of service needs.
• Exercise a high degree of initiative and independent judgement, problem solving and decision making within the scope of assigned authority.
• Effectively identify and resolve conflict.
• Maintain detailed records and prepare clear, concise written reports.
• Support diversity and multi-cultural understanding in the workplace and the community.

Education and Experience:

• A Master's degree in Social Work required or the ability obtain one by January 2026.
• Two years of experience working from a trauma-informed approach with individuals with significant mental health and substance use disorders or in a Mobile Integrated Health Program.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Current Washington State Driver's License is required.
• Associate Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker preferred.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
• Work variable shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

01

Your responses in this section will be used to review your application and determine your eligibility for this position. The experience listed here MUST match the employment history provided in your application. If your answers do not align, please go back and update your application before submitting, as any discrepancies may result in removal from consideration. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above". We do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application. Do you understand and agree to these requirements?

• I confirm that the information provided here is consistent with my application.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02

Please describe your experience providing direct services to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Be specific about the settings in which you worked (such as mobile crisis, emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, community-based, law enforcement co-response, etc.), the populations you served, and the types of assessments, interventions, and safety planning you were responsible for.
03

This position requires working as part of a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team. Please describe the characteristics you believe are essential to being an effective team member in a fast-paced crisis response environment. Include a specific example of a time you contributed to your team's success, managed conflict, or supported colleagues during a challenging situation.
04

Our crisis response model pairs social workers with police officers to provide a coordinated response to behavioral health emergencies. Please describe your views on this model of service delivery. Include any experience you have working alongside law enforcement and explain how you believe social workers and police officers can work together effectively while serving individuals in crisis.
05

Do you currently meet the minimum educational