Public Safety Behavioral Health Coordinator

The Public Safety Behavioral Health Coordinator serves as the department's subject matter expert and program lead for behavioral threat assessment and management, co-response operations, employee wellness programming, and peer support for the University of California, Santa Barbara Police Department (UCSB PD). The position provides specialized expertise and collaborative leadership to strengthen the department's prevention, response, and post-incident capabilities while promoting the safety and well-being of both the campus community and department personnel. In coordination with the Academic Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) and other campus and community partners, the Public Safety Behavioral Health Coordinator provides behavioral health and operational consultation during complex behavioral health crises and critical incidents. The position develops, coordinates, and evaluates multidisciplinary threat assessment, violence prevention, and behavioral health response strategies and provides subject matter expertise to law enforcement personnel and department leadership. The position manages co-response initiatives involving behavioral health professionals and law enforcement personnel, including developing and delivering training to designated department personnel on the legal requirements, assessment criteria, documentation, and procedures necessary to initiate and complete involuntary mental health detentions pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code § 5150. As the department's Wellness Program Director, the Public Safety Behavioral Health Coordinator leads the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of a comprehensive organizational wellness program for department personnel. Responsibilities include developing and overseeing the department's Peer Support Program, coordinating access to culturally competent behavioral health resources, organizing critical incident stress debriefings and defusing, and establishing procedures for department response to critical incidents. The position supports collaboration through institutional and regional partnerships and strengthens internal operations through the application of best practices and specialized expertise. The Public Safety Behavioral Health Coordinator supports UCSB PD's compliance with the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) Community Safety Plan through the development of multidisciplinary, service-oriented, and evidence-based behavioral health response systems that emphasize prevention, de-escalation, coordinated care, and a holistic approach to campus community safety.