Crisis Support Specialist

Who We Are

Pawnee Mental Health Services is a non-profit Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) serving individuals and families across 10 counties in North-Central Kansas.

We provide 24/7 crisis response services and are committed to ensuring that no one in our communities faces a behavioral health emergency alone. Our crisis team plays a vital role in protecting safety, restoring stability, and connecting individuals to the care they need, when they need it most.

If you are compassionate, steady under pressure, and motivated by meaningful work, we invite you to join our team.

The Role You’ll Play

When someone in our community is experiencing their hardest moment, this is the team that shows up.

As a Crisis Support Specialist, you are part of Pawnee’s 24/7 crisis response system — providing immediate, compassionate support to individuals facing mental health emergencies. You will work across our:

• Mobile Crisis Team
• Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
• Crisis Line

You will serve as a key member of a multidisciplinary crisis response team, helping to de-escalate situations, restore safety, and connect individuals to appropriate levels of care. Through lived experience, empathy, and calm presence, you play an essential role in supporting recovery and stabilization during high-stress situations.  This is meaningful, hands-on work that directly impacts the safety and well-being of individuals and families across our region.

This role operates within a 24/7 crisis response environment and may include evenings, nights, and weekend shifts as needed.

What You’ll Do as a Crisis Support Specialist:

• Respond to mobile crisis calls, providing emotional support, stabilization, and assistance with safety planning
• Answer crisis line calls, conduct phone triage, provide de-escalation, and coordinate appropriate next steps
• Support individuals following a crisis through follow-up, resource connection, and warm hand-offs
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment within the Crisis Stabilization Unit, including routine monitoring and documentation
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record

What We Offer

We believe in supporting our employees both professionally and personally. Our benefits include:

• Medical & Vision Insurance through BCBS or Aetna (single coverage typically $50–100/month)
• Dental Insurance – 100% FREE for employees
• Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) – secure lifetime pension program
• Life insurance coverage up to 150% of annual income & long-term disability at NO COST
• 8 Paid Holidays annually
• Generous PTO – Start earning 8 hours per month (12 days/year), increasing to 18 days/year at your one-year anniversary
• 40 hours of Paid Medical Leave immediately upon hire
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supplemental benefits including additional life insurance, ambulance transportation, short-term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and more

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Current or past lived experience as a primary consumer of mental health services
• Valid driver’s license and proof of auto liability insurance
• Basic computer skills and ability to document electronically
• Strong communication skills and ability to remain calm in high-stress situations
   

Preferred:

• Kansas Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPS) certification (or willingness to obtain within one year of hire)
• At least 1 year of experience in mental health, crisis services, or a related field
   

All candidates must successfully complete required background checks and drug screening.