Assistant Director of Crisis Services

HEADQUARTERS KANSAS INC • Lawrence, KS

2d • $65,000 - $75,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Crisis Services is a full-time, exempt, 40-hour week average position with primary work hours being Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. This position may have occasional evening and weekend hours due to being part of the on-call rotation. Position will be required to travel to and attend local, state, or national lifeline meetings and conferences. This position will work in collaboration with the Clinical Consultant and will report directly to the Executive Director. This position will also lead the organization as a member of the Headquarters Kansas Leadership Team.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in human service-related field (e.g. social work, psychology, applied behavioral science, sociology, etc.)
• Current Kansas license through Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board as a LMSW or equivalent
• Two (2) years supervisory experience
• Crisis work experience
• Experience in providing directions necessary to implement the objectives of an agency, program, or organization
• Proficient in Microsoft suite programs and Google Docs
• Effective organization and time management skills
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to provide attention to detail
• Completion of in-house Crisis Counselor Training within 3 months of hire date
• Completion of other related training courses such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
• Understand and communicate the mission, vision, and values of HeadQuarters Kansas
• Maintain positive and collaborative relationships internally and externally as a representative of Headquarters Kansas
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work harmoniously with organizational leadership, program teams, and other development staff toward the accomplishment of organization’s goals and deliverables
• Reliable transportation
• Must be able to pass State and Federal criminal background checks

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with policy and procedure development for accreditation centers
• Project Management experience
• Experience with developing and monitoring departmental budgets
• Experience working with a nonprofit organization

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the crisis department and key technical operations within the Crisis Center (call center, and chat/text team).
• Building current and future program infrastructure and shaping crisis care operations that promote quality and accessible crisis services.
• Guiding strategy, providing clinical and operational leadership, driving implementation, and partnering closely with other agency leaders to develop sustainable, trauma-informed systems of care.
• Ensuring programs operate efficiently and cost-effectively and remain fully compliant with organization policies and procedures, accreditations, contracts, and grant deliverables.
• Acting as the liaison to community partners and stakeholders which includes the crisis continuum of care.
• Defining and implementing the strategic vision, goals, and objectives of the Crisis Center which includes Crisis Call Center, Crisis Chat and Text Center, Quality Assurance Program, Crisis Training Program, Data Analytics, and any future clinical programs.
• Co-developing and overseeing implementation of established best practices, policies and procedures related to crisis line technology, crisis intervention, reflective listening skills, de-escalation, assessment of risk (i.e., suicide, homicide, substance use, sexual violence, and abuse/neglect), safety planning, follow-up, care linkage, and referral to resources in coordination with the Clinical Consultant.
• Building and growing these services so they are effective clinically, operationally, and fiscally.
• Developing strong partnerships with community partners, agencies, and key stakeholders that could serve as referral sources and experts to grow the program.
• Providing strong, mission-driven leadership to program staff ensuring high-quality client care and consistent achievement of performance goals outlines by grants, contracts, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Building a collaborative, effective team to achieve both immediate programmatic needs and long-term departmental growth.
• Promoting a philosophy of active engagement of callers and least restrictive environment, while promoting effective use of emergency services and dispatching the Mobile Response Teams, EMS, Co-responders, and law enforcement in accordance with agency and NSPL guidelines.
• Monitoring for emerging research-based crisis intervention practices.
• Engaging in on-going training activities within the organization or facilitated by Vibrant, intended to promote professional development and reduce burnout.
• Demonstrating effective strategies for managing compassion fatigue and symptoms of burnout, along with a willingness to seek supervision and support from the organization.
• Collaborating on recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, and professional development for program staff across the Crisis Center in collaboration with department leaders and human resources.
• Providing clinical and administrative supervision and consultation for coordinators and counselors in the Crisis Center.
• Identifying training needs and ensuring the development, delivery, and evaluation of relevant trainings in collaboration with the training staff.
• Facilitating or co-leading training as needed to support program quality and staff growth.
• Ensuring staff have clear work plans, defined responsibilities, and appropriate support to succeed in their roles; fostering a culture accountability, collaboration, belonging, and clinical excellence.
• Supervising assigned staff to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed care.
• Providing immediate supervision and consultation in the midst of crises.
• Ensuring timely and accurate completion of all clinical and program documentation, including assessments, help-seeker profiles, data and grant reports.
• Facilitating and participating in team meetings and other department gatherings to support coordination, learning, and team cohesion.
• Representing the organization in community settings with external partners; ensuring strong, collaboration relationships that support continuity of care.
• Developing and strengthening referral relationships and ensuring effective procedures are in place for referrals and care coordination across all department programs.
• Establishing clear, measurable objectives that align with organization’s priorities, program goals, funding requirements and needs, regularly monitoring progress and metrics to ensure operation and fiscal effectiveness.
• Working closely with Quality Improvement team to develop, revise, and expand program-specific policies and procedures to support effective growth, clinical quality, and regulatory alignment across all Crisis programs.
• Leading project for accreditation by the International Council of Helplines.
• Collaborating with departmental leaders and financial officer to regularly examine metrics that drive business operations and make changes to optimize program efficiency and growth.
• Helping ensure long-term financial sustainability by participating in planning efforts related to new funding opportunities, grant applications, and service expansion in collaboration with departmental leaders and financial officer.
• Assisting in development of departmental budget and ensuring expenditures comply with approved budget and grant requirements; monitoring and evaluating budget issues and recommending corrective actions.

Benefits

• Employer shared plan for Long Term Disability, Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability, employer paid
• Paid time off
• Voluntary: Life Insurance, FSA Health, FSA Dependent Care, Accident coverage
• 401k with 5% match by employer
• Professional development opportunities
• EAP Program
• Media stipend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager