HART Triage Coordinator

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Our Values: HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve community's health and well-being. • Transparency- We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.

• Integrity- Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact -We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration- We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

Position Overview: Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) is a Harris County initiative that launched in March of 2022. The unarmed community responder team is comprised of a Crisis Intervention Specialist and an Emergency Medical Technician who are trained to respond to behavioral health, social services, and low acuity medical needs. The team responds to non-violent 911 calls diverted from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC); The goal of HART is to free up law enforcement officers to focus on addressing violent crimes, reduce unnecessary transport to the emergency rooms, connecting vulnerable residents to resources through both on-scene crisis response and case management follow up services to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

The HART Triage Coordinator works closely with 911 communication officers in identifying eligible 911 calls for HART field response as well as case management services. The position is also responsible for providing short term, solution focused referrals and will be crossed-trained to serve in the field as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities:• Assist 911 Communications Officers in screening and triaging incoming emergency and non-emergency calls and texts for HART eligibility and appropriately diverting eligible calls to HART field teams for on-scene response.

• Communicate with 911 callers in a courteous, professional, culturally competent and trauma-informed manner. Provide brief crisis stabilization, emotional support, safety planning, and information and referrals to community-based services, using warm hand-offs, when possible.
• Coordinate with HART staff, 911 EDC personnel, HART field operations, other first responder agencies, and relevant stakeholders regarding HART availability, schedules, response protocols, service eligibility, and program updates.
• Accurately document calls, service needs, referrals, and other required information. Maintain and track data and contribute to reports, stories, and qualitative and quantitative measures demonstrating HART’s activities and impact.
• Provide on-scene response as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, as needed, and participate in on-call coverage in accordance with program operation needs.
• Conduct follow-up contacts with residents as needed, assess services needed and preferences, provide appropriate referrals and service linkages, and delivery short-term, solution focused interventions when appropriate.
• Represent HART and the Community Health and Violence Prevention Services Division at community meetings, events, and other engagement activities. Engage community partners and stakeholders in requesting HART for on-scene response or case management services.
• Collaborate with the HCSO HART Program Coordinator, HART leadership, and other administrative staff to support quality assurance and continuous quality improvement activities, identify operational gaps and improvement opportunities, and provide guidance to HCSO personnel regarding HART protocols and practices.
• Serve as the central communication link between HART field teams and the 911 EDC; Monitor responder status, location, and welfare, and escalate safety concerns immediately.
• Other Duties: Perform other assignments and duties as required and/or necessary, including responding to an emergency event.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email [email protected]. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. Education/Experience:• High School Diploma or equivalent with five (5) years of professional experience in emergency communications, telecommunications, dispatch, crisis response or support, social services, behavioral health, human services, public health, emergency management, criminal justice, public safety, or a health-related field.

OR A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social services, behavioral health, human services, public health, emergency management, criminal justice, public safety, or a health-related field, and one (1) year of professional experience in one or more of these disciplines or fields.

Licenses:• Valid Texas Driver’s License or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Additional Requirements:• Must obtain the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Telecommunicator License within 12 months of hire date.

• Successful completion of the HART Field Responder training.
• Successful completion of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) required training.
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check in accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:• Ability to prioritize a multitude of tasks and handle a variety of projects simultaneously.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality for safety of callers and staff.
• Ability to learn new technology systems and implement within scope of duties.
• Experience developing collaborative relationships with community stakeholders and partners.
• Proficient in correspondence and reports and assist in the processing of documents as required
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer and related software (i.e. Microsoft Office 365)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Communicate and liaise with HCSO 911 EDC employees, other agencies, and the public in a knowledgeable, efficient, and courteous manner
• Create, maintain, and update critical files in an organized manner
• Answer telephone calls and text messages, resolve issues, provide information, and multi-task
• Handle confidential and sensitive information in a discreet manner
• Receive, process, and disseminate HART calls for service efficiently to attain an appropriate and timely public safety response
• Independently initiate action consistent with existing HART policies and procedures, based upon observed situations, and utilizing sound judgment

Core Competencies:• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.

• Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
• Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
• Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
• Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

NOTE:Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications. Language:• Bilingual in Spanish.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:• Full-time: 10-hour shift, 4 days/week; evenings, overnight, and weekends as necessary; hours will vary earlier or later based upon department, program and operational needs. overtime and/or varying duty hours as deemed necessary; including weekends, holidays with an excellent attendance record

Work Environment:• This position requires flexibility and adaptability to work in both professional office and field environments, including travel to external locations for site assessments, meetings, community engagement, and other assigned activities, with potential exposure to varying outdoor weather conditions.

Physical Demands:• This position requires frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects weighing up to 10 lbs. They also occasionally move objects weighing up to 20 lbs., and sometimes, but rarely, up to 50 lbs.

Work Location:• Harris County Public Health: 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.