Suicide Prevention Specialist

Suicide Prevention Specialist LOCATION: Rocky Boy, Montana Wage: $23.32 - $28.43 DOE STATUS: Full-Time, Non-exempt Veterans Preference American Indian Preference Closing Date: Open until filled The Great Plains Veterans Services Center (GPVSC) was established on June 24, 2015, and recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization in February of 2016.

The GPVSC is headquartered on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in North Central Montana. The GPVSC established the Veterans Support Services (VSS) program in January 2017. The purpose of this program is to provide Veterans with access to all VA benefits they have earned; assist unemployed Veterans in becoming self-sufficient by transitioning them into the workforce; support homeless Veterans or at-risk for homelessness in attaining and maintaining housing; provide mental health and suicide prevention support; and provide case management to assist Veterans in overall quality of life needs.

The VSS program’s service area includes three Indian Reservations and five rural Montana counties. In 2020, the GPVSC began operating its Veterans Transportation Services (VTS) program. This program provides transportation services to rural Montana Veterans for VA and VA-referred appointments. The VTS program’s service area includes six Indian Reservations and 45 rural Montana counties.

JOB OVERVIEW: Under the direction of the Veterans Support Services Manager, the Suicide Prevention Specialist coordinates suicide-prevention activities, risk screening, safety planning, intervention support, wellness outreach, partnership development, eligibility determination throughout the VSS service area. The Specialist provides services to reduce suicide risk, strengthens protective factors, and improves access to care, resources, and community support for Veterans and their families.

This non-clinical role also assists in the documentation, reporting, and grant compliance for VSS. The Specialist works closely with Veterans, GPVSC case managers, tribal entities, healthcare and behavioral-health providers, crisis-response organizations, VA resources, and community partners.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct suicide-risk screenings and coordinate timely support, referrals, and warm handoffs for Veterans identified as being at risk. Develop and maintain individualized safety plans, including crisis resources and lethal-means safety conversations, consistent with training and GPVSC policy. Support crisis-intervention and postvention coordination, advocate for Veterans during referral processes, and strengthen organizational response following suicide-related crises or deaths.

Identify social isolation and other social determinants of health and connect Veterans with peer support, GPVSC activities, healthcare, housing, benefits, transportation, financial assistance, and other resources. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with tribal organizations, healthcare providers, Veteran agencies, crisis-response organizations, and community partners.

Provide suicide-prevention education and awareness activities for Veterans, staff, community partners, and the public, including trauma-informed approaches, warning signs, protective factors, coping skills, and available supports. Support organizational suicide-prevention planning, policy development, outreach, coalition participation, and public-awareness activities.

Determine program eligibility, complete enrollment activities, and maintain timely and accurate records, data tracking, outcome measures, reports, and grant-compliance documentation. Perform other duties as assigned in support of GPVSC's mission and program goals. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS and ABILITIES Knowledge of suicide-prevention principles, risk and protective factors, crisis-intervention support, postvention practices, trauma-informed approaches, and Veteran-centered service delivery.

Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with people experiencing emotional distress or crisis-related situations while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. Ability to develop safety plans, coordinate timely services, work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain accurate documentation and grant-compliance records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience

equivalent to a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public health, social work, behavioral health, or a related field, plus two years of experience in suicide prevention, behavioral-health support, Veteran services, case management, public health, community outreach, or related human-services work. PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS Work occurs in office, community, virtual, and field settings and involves regular interaction with Veterans, families, partners, and the public.

The role may involve emotionally difficult or crisis-related situations involving suicide risk, trauma, or grief. Travel within GPVSC service areas and occasional overnight travel are required. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Must hold a valid Montana driver's license and successfully complete a driver's history check.

Benefits

include SEP retirement plan, paid time off and holidays, dental, vision, accident, short-term and long-term disability and life insurance. Successful applicants are subject to drug testing and background checks POLICY and COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS Great Plains Veterans Services Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.