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.