Deputy Commissioner

Description

The Deputy Commissioner of Community Crisis Response works under the direction of the Commissioner of Emergency Medical Service and serves as a member of the Division’s Executive Staff. This position is primarily responsible for planning, managing, developing, coordinating, and administering an unarmed community crisis response program that will utilize unarmed crisis response teams which shall be dispatched as first responders, in lieu of police, to situations that involve persons in need of a behavioral health response and who do not pose a risk of harm to themselves or the public. Such situations may include behavioral-health crises, wellness checks, substance-use-related crises, and other appropriate circumstances. This position is also responsible for planning, managing, developing, coordinating, and administering Community Outreach, Mobile Integrated Health (MIH), Community Paramedicine, and other non-traditional EMS service delivery programs within the Division of EMS.

The Deputy Commissioner provides executive-level oversight of assigned personnel and programs, ensures regulatory compliance, supports fiscal sustainability, and advances the Division’s mission to deliver high-quality, patient-centered emergency and non-emergency medical services to the residents of the City of Cleveland within the scope and guidelines approved by the Commissioner of Emergency Medical Service and in consultation with the Director of Public Health.

Performs other job-related duties as required and assigned by the Commissioner of Emergency Medical Service.

Examples of Duties

Assists the Commissioner in managing and overseeing divisional and/or departmental operations. Manages and supervises staff and resources needed to support divisional/departmental mission and or objectives. Participates in planning, analyzing data, forecasting, management, budget preparation and/or day-to-day activities of a division and/or department. Represents the Commissioner, division and/or department in meetings, events and other activities. Coordinate and collaborate with other divisions, departments, agencies, external partners, and stakeholders to achieve goals. Accountable for ensuring program initiatives and/or objectives are being met. Facilitate open lines of communication to promote transparency and accountability. Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in related field required. (Substitution: Two years of experience may be substituted for each year of college education lacking, unless otherwise stated.) Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Effective communicator, with demonstrated leadership and management skills. Knowledgeable and/or experience with related software, and or other systems. Ability to effectively manage time, develop and execute strategic planning, work independently, and work varied hours. Valid Ohio Driver's License required. Must possess strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Supplemental Information

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position works directly under the Commissioner of EMS as part of the Executive Staff and is responsible for the oversight, performance, and management of assigned sworn and civilian personnel, programs, and initiatives related to Community Crisis Response including those delineated in City Ordinance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance and implementation of the new Bureau of Community Crisis Response (City of Cleveland Ordinances 135.333 through 135.336).
• Provides executive oversight and direction for the new unarmed crisis response program, as well as existing Community Outreach, Mobile Integrated Health, Community Paramedicine, and other alternative response or non-traditional EMS programs.
• Collaborates with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, Commanders, Clinical Quality Care Manager, and Manager of Administrative Services assigned to the Executive Staff to maintain the mission, vision, and strategic objectives of the Division.
• Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates the planned new unarmed community crisis response initiative. Supports the Commissioner of EMS to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate other innovative service delivery models designed to improve community health outcomes, reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization, and enhance system efficiency.
• Oversees the ongoing development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, General Orders, protocols, workflows, and training related to the new unarmed crisis response programs, Community Outreach, and Integrated Health.
• Leads the hiring of and contracting with social workers, behavioral health clinicians, peers with lived experience, and other members of crisis response teams.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and best practices, including but not limited to Ohio EMS Board requirements, CMS/Medicaid regulations in conjunction with Medical Billing or other contracted third-party billing company, HIPAA, OSHA/PERRP, and City of Cleveland policies.
• Assists the Commissioner with correspondence and matters that may require considerable sensitivity, discretion, and/or judgment
• Develops techniques for compiling, analyzing, preparing, and presenting operational, financial, and outcome-based data; prepares reports and materials as requested by the Commissioner, executive leadership, or City administration.
• Participates in the development and oversight of budgets, grants, pilot programs, and sustainability plans associated with Community Outreach, Integrated Health initiatives, and community crisis response.
• Coordinates with 911/dispatch centers, the Division of Police, hospitals, health systems, public health agencies, social service organizations, other City departments and divisions, and external partners to ensure the integration of the new unarmed crisis response programs
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of City policies, Division rules and regulations, General Orders, Divisional Notices, Northeast Ohio Regional EMS Protocols, applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements, NASW Code of Ethics, ACA Code of Ethics, AAMFT Code of Ethics, and other applicable professional codes of ethics for mental health professionals and peer supporters.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of Civil Service Rules and citywide policies.
• Oversees the development of performance dashboards, response time metrics, diversion rates, outcome tracking and personnel wellness.
• Develops the public annual impact report to be presented to the community.
• Participates in meetings with staff, administrators, and other stakeholders as needed and delegated.
• Assists the Commissioner and Executive Staff in leading and sustaining a culture of service, professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive employee, patient, and operational information.
• In the absence of the Commissioner, may assume duties and responsibilities as directed.
• Manages and directs other duties as assigned by the Commissioner.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, or closely related field from a four-year accredited college or university required.
• Two years of full-time paid experience in a supervisory position responsible for social service workers or programs required.
• Ability to provide clinical supervision pursuant to the Ohio Administrative Code for LSW, LPC or MFT preferred.
• LISW-S, LPCC-S, IMFT-S preferred.
• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, or closely related field preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong executive leadership, personnel management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and manage complex programs and initiatives.
• Professional reputation marked by integrity, sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proven experience overseeing highly sensitive, confidential, and complex operational matters.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with executive management, City leadership, labor organizations, public officials, healthcare partners, and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the operational, regulatory, and political environment affecting municipal EMS systems.
• Ability to relate to and work effectively with persons of diverse racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious, disability, mental health, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Proficiency with standard office procedures, practices, and technological tools.

Schedule

• Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
• Evenings, weekends, and on-call availability as operational needs require.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Physical abilities to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.

The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.