Alternative Response - Community Responder

Job Title : Alternative Response Community Responder

Reports To : Alternative Response Supervisor

Job Status : Full-time

Job Location : Community

Summary :

The Community Responder is a vital part of a team dedicated to providing non-emergency, community-focused support to individuals, families, and neighborhoods. Community Responders address low-level concerns by connecting people with resources, de-escalating situations, and fostering collaboration with community partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Respond in pairs to calls and incidents within an hour of dispatch, ensuring communication with dispatch if delays occur.
• Address presenting issues by providing support, resource coordination, and connections to community services.
• Serve diverse areas within Maplewood, scaling services to meet geographic and population needs.
• Handle a variety of situations including disputes, minor nuisances, and non-urgent family or individual concerns (e.g., kids out after curfew, disputes over pets, neighbor conflicts).
• Supporting Neighbors : Mediate minor disputes, encourage community standards, and foster positive neighbor relationships (e.g., lawn care concerns, signage disputes).
• Supporting Families : Offer guidance during family disputes, assist parents in engaging with children, and facilitate custody exchanges.
• Supporting Kids : Address youth-related issues such as curfew violations and noise complaints and provide outreach in recreational or school settings.
• Supporting Individuals : Engage with individuals in need of non-emergency assistance (e.g., unhoused individuals or frequent callers).
• Location-Specific Support : Resolve minor conflicts at group homes, recreation centers, or businesses and address property concerns (e.g., graffiti, loitering).
• Follow up within 48 hours of each incident.

Qualifications / Experience :

• A high school diploma or equivalent (GED) with significant experience in community engagement, social services, or related fields.
• An associate degree or higher in social work, psychology, criminal justice, public health, education, or a related field is advantageous.
• Certifications or training in conflict resolution, mediation, trauma-informed care, or crisis intervention.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for engaging with individuals, families, and communities.
• Ability to establish rapport, build trust, and foster positive relationships across diverse populations.
• Experience managing tense or challenging situations calmly and effectively.
• Proficiency in de-escalation techniques to resolve disputes or diffuse emotionally charged situations.
• Deep understanding of and sensitivity to the cultural, linguistic, and social diversity within the community.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from various backgrounds.
• Familiarity with local educational systems, social services, and community support networks.
• Capacity to connect individuals and families with appropriate resources and services.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, handle multiple responsibilities, and respond to dispatch requests within the expected timeframe.
• Strong attention to detail for documentation and reporting.
• Resourceful and creative in addressing community issues and resolving conflicts.
• Capable of making sound decisions under pressure.
• Willingness to work in pairs or small teams, maintaining effective communication and mutual support.
• A collaborative mindset to coordinate with dispatch, contractors, and other responders.
• Basic proficiency with technology for reporting, communication, and accessing resource databases.
• Ability to learn and use dispatch or case management systems effectively.
• Willingness to work outdoors and varied community settings as needed.

Additional Requirements :

• Possession of a valid Minnesota driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Successful completion of a security background check conducted by the Criminal Justice
• Work flexible hours, including weekends, nights and holidays as required.

Environment :

Community Responders work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, responding to calls across diverse locations within Maplewood, including residential areas, public spaces, and outdoor settings. This role involves frequent travel, direct interaction with community members, and addressing a wide range of non-emergency situations. Responders work in pairs, ensuring collaboration and safety, and must adapt to varying conditions, including weather and emotionally charged situations. Shifts may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, with an emphasis on timely response and effective community engagement.