Roll with Us: Crisis Intervention Specialists make a direct impact every day

BART is hiring for Crisis Intervention Specialists. Salaries start at $40 an hour and go up to $48 an hour. To apply, visit bart.gov/jobs and search “Crisis Intervention Specialist.”

As a Crisis Intervention Specialist at BART, Stephine Barnes knows her work matters.

Each day, while walking the trains and station platforms, Barnes is on-hand to help individuals in the system experiencing a crisis with mental health, a lack of housing, or drug issues. She’s tasked with supporting these individuals and connecting them to crucial services.

"We see people at their lowest points," said Barnes. "And the human spirit that keeps these people walking and standing and moving and trying is -- it's incredible."

Crisis Intervention Specialists like Barnes are unarmed members of the BART Police Department’s new Progressive Policing and Community Engagement Bureau, which also houses BART’s Transit Ambassadors. It’s one of the first progressive policing bureaus at a transit police agency in the nation.

A groundbreaking step toward fostering a safe environment in the BART system, the Progressive Policing Bureau is tasked every day with saving lives and keeping those in our stations and trains out of harm’s way. Crisis Intervention Specialists and Transit Ambassadors are at the forefront of BART’s efforts to increase the visible presence of safety personnel in the system using unarmed, specially trained BPD staff.

“I think this team is going to save a lot of lives out here,” said Crisis Intervention Specialist Yolanda Barbosa.

For Crisis Intervention Specialists, each day poses a new challenge. The specialists take direct action to reduce incidents in the system by proactively walking the trains and stations and identifying vulnerable individuals who may need help or support. The position is already making a difference at BART and helping to directly address some of the challenges the Bay Area faces.  

"We're saying, 'Hey, we're not here to judge why you're here. You don't have to tell us why you're here," said Barnes. "But I'm basically here to check in with you and say, 'Hey, somebody cares.”

Reaching these vulnerable populations can be challenging, and calm in the face of frustration is important, said Crisis Intervention Specialist Natalie Robinson.

“There’s a lot of people who aren’t ready for help and we just have to be patient,” she said. “I don’t want to say persistent, but you want to be consistent and always be there for them whenever they need it … Eventually that will lead to some trust building and reaching out.”

BART is currently hiring for Crisis Intervention Specialists. Interested applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, or a related field and at least two years of experience in social work or related experiences.

To apply, visit bart.gov/jobs and search for “Crisis Intervention Specialist.”