Mental Health Co-Responder

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been consistently ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Posted Job Title

Mental Health Co-Responder

Job Profile Title

Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer, Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions, with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

The Mission of the University of Pennsylvania's Division of Public Safety is to enhance the quality of life, safety, and security of our community. The Division accomplishes its mission through the delivery of a comprehensive and integrated safety and security program, in partnership with the community that we serve.

The members of the Division of Public Safety reflect the diversity of our community. We pledge to deliver professional safety and security services that value and respect the rights and differences of all members of the Division, as well as those of the University of Pennsylvania and the University City communities that we all proudly serve.

We are committed to the professional and personal development of all members of the Division of Public Safety, and in turn we expect all of our employees to be models of excellence. Ultimately, we strive each and every day to earn the trust, confidence, and respect of our community.

The Penn Co-Responder team is a person-centered, trauma-informed program serving Penn affiliated individuals. The Co-Responder team's objective is to prioritize response to individuals experiencing mental health crisis. The team will provide in-person/high-touch clinical mental health support in a way that provides those in crisis with safe and immediate evaluation for emergency care. Team members will respond alongside police personnel and will play a key role as the supportive interface linking persons in crisis with emergency medical care and/or other University and community support services.

Job Description

The Co-Responder is a licensed behavioral health professional who partners with University of Pennsylvania Police officers and other emergency response resources to respond to mental health crises involving students, faculty, and staff.

The Co-Responder provides rapid, trauma-informed, and person-centered behavioral health intervention, including crisis assessment, de-escalation, safety assessment, stabilization, and connection to appropriate University and community resources. Working as part of the Division of Public Safety, the Co-Responder helps coordinate timely and appropriate responses to behavioral health emergencies while promoting safety, dignity, and access to care.

The Co-Responder conducts contextual-clinical assessments, identifies immediate behavioral health and safety needs, and determines appropriate referrals and facilitates handoffs to emergency medical care, behavioral health providers, and other University or community-based services. The position works collaboratively with university departments, law enforcement, emergency medical services, healthcare providers, and community partners.

The Co-Responder reports to the Associate Director of Special Services and participates in ongoing training and professional development.

Housed with other first response resources in the Division of Public Safety, the Co-Responder team plays a key role across Penn's health and safety crisis response infrastructure by providing rapid response to student mental health crisis, conducting initial assessments, and facilitating connection to supportive resources as needed.

This position requires the ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Ideal Background and Capabilities

The co‑responder role requires exceptional interpersonal skills, empathy, and openness to new ideas and perspectives. The position calls for sound judgment and effective decision‑making when handling urgent or sensitive information. Strong communication abilities and the capacity to build effective working relationships across a broad range of individuals and organizations are essential. Knowledge of collaborative techniques and coordinated community response models is important.

Experience in social services, mental health care and wellness, emergency response, behavioral health emergencies, crisis intervention (such as domestic violence or sexual assault support), or similar health‑related fields is required. Lived experience working with youth in crisis, sexual assault survivors, human services case management, emergency medical services, or law enforcement settings is highly valued. The role also demands proficiency in de‑escalation techniques and the ability to conduct safety assessments in varied circumstances. Familiarity with working alongside diverse communities and first responders-ideally within an educational environment-is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to behavioral health and mental health crisis calls in partnership with Penn Police and other emergency response resources.
• Conduct timely behavioral health, contextual-clinical, and safety assessments in a variety of settings.
• Assess for suicide risk, risk of self-harm, risk of harm to others, and other indicators of acute behavioral health or safety concerns.
• Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, stabilization, and short-term support using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.
• Determine appropriate referrals, level of care, and disposition based on the individual's needs and the circumstances of the crisis.
• Facilitate warm handoffs and connections to University, healthcare, emergency, and community-based services.
• Collaborate effectively with law enforcement, EMS, healthcare providers, University partners, and community organizations.
• Maintain appropriate clinical and professional boundaries while working in a co-response model with law enforcement.
• Document assessments, interventions, referrals, dispositions, and follow-up activities accurately and in accordance with University policies and applicable legal and professional standards.
• Participate in case consultation, team meetings, training, and other professional development opportunities.
• Maintain current knowledge of University and community behavioral health resources and crisis-response protocols.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or another human services related field and at least 2 years related experience OR an equivalent combination.
• Current, active, and unrestricted Pennsylvania licensure or credential in an applicable clinical or behavioral health discipline, consistent with the scope of practice required for the position. Applicable credentials may include LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, RN, CRNP, or another credential approved by the University.
• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in social work, clinical mental health counseling, psychology, or another closely related behavioral health field, as required for the applicable professional license or credential.
• At least two years of relevant clinical or behavioral health experience, including experience in crisis intervention, emergency mental health, community behavioral health, college counseling, or a related setting.
• Demonstrated experience conducting suicide risk and safety assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and crisis stabilization.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and culturally responsive behavioral health practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of behavioral health needs.
• Strong clinical judgment, interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, and ability to make sound decisions in urgent or sensitive situations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with law enforcement, healthcare providers, University personnel, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in unpredictable and potentially high-stress environments.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a college or university behavioral health setting.
• Experience in a behavioral health co-responder, mobile crisis, emergency department, EMS, or other first-response model.
• Experience collaborating directly with law enforcement.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing acute psychiatric or behavioral health emergencies.
• Experience working with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, or other trauma.
• Experience in human services case management or care coordination.
• Knowledge of local behavioral health, crisis, emergency, and social service systems.
• Experience working with young adults or other populations commonly served in a university setting.

Candidates are encouraged to apply if they meet the required qualifications, even if they do not meet every preferred qualification.

Relevant paid or volunteer experience gained prior to licensure may be considered when evaluating overall qualifications, consistent with applicable licensing and University requirements.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Public Safety

Pay Range

$7.25 - $100.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

A background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health and Life: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

Please note that benefit eligibility is determined/based on ACA guidelines.