What are the responsibilities and job description for the ASSISTANT CRISIS DIVISION MANAGER position at Town of Chapel Hill?
As a working supervisor, the Assistant Crisis Division Manager engages directly in field-based crisis response, offering real-time support to community members experiencing behavioral health emergencies and coaching staff during complex or high risk situations. The position promotes a trauma-informed, person-centered approach and acts as a critical bridge between frontline staff and division leadership, strengthening communication, enhancing operational effectiveness, and supporting staff well-being.
This position requires a high degree of flexibility, including availability to work nights and weekends as operational needs arise.
- Serve as second-in-command for the division, acting on behalf of the Crisis Division Manager when needed and ensuring continuity of operations.
- Provide daily operational oversight for Crisis Division staff across both co-response and alternative response programs.
- Oversee shift operations to ensure appropriate coverage for 24-hour crisis response, including scheduling, shift adjustments, and coordination of on-call assignments.
- Conduct regular check-ins, provide coaching and mentoring, and support staff in managing complex or high-stress situations.
- Monitor workflow, response activity, and case distribution to maintain balanced workloads and efficient use of resources.
- Coordinate response efforts among co-responders, alternative responders, patrol supervisors, and other units.
- Contribute to performance evaluations by providing direct feedback on staff performance and professional development needs.
- Support new staff onboarding and field training, ensuring consistent understanding of policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Model and guide staff through crisis intervention strategies, safety assessments, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Respond in person or remotely to behavioral health crises, providing immediate support, de-escalation, and linkage to community resources.
- Provide follow-up contact and coordination with community partners to ensure continuity of care for individuals served.
- Serve as the on-site or on-call supervisor during assigned shifts, providing decision-making and operational support as needed.
- Strengthen collaboration with internal department partners, including patrol, investigations, communications, and leadership.
- Maintain relationships with community partners, behavioral health providers, and external agencies to support coordinated crisis response.
- Communicate shift updates, incidents, and staffing needs to the Crisis Division Manager and other relevant leadership.
- Monitor and review documentation to ensure timely, accurate, and professional record-keeping and adherence to best practices.
- Support the implementation of division protocols, policies, and workflows to maintain quality standards and operational consistency.
- Participate in staff training and professional development, both as a participant and as a trainer.
- Assist with the development and facilitation of internal and external trainings related to crisis response, behavioral health, and trauma-informed care.
- Represent the Crisis Division at community events, meetings, or collaborative initiatives when designated.
- Promote staff well-being and a supportive work environment by proactively addressing operational and workflow challenges, and by supporting peer and staff wellness initiatives across the department.
- Participate in data collection and reporting related to crisis calls, outcomes, and service delivery metrics.
- Assist the Division Manager with program evaluation, performance metrics, and data driven decision making.
- Provide feedback on operational challenges, resource needs, and program improvement opportunities.
- Support strategic planning, grant activities, and long-term development of crisis response programs.
- Ensure division compliance with legal, ethical, and departmental standards.
- Complete Negotiator Certification and serve as an active member of the department’s negotiation team.
- Work on call as a part of the crisis team rotation.
- Perform other duties as required.
An equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job.
Knowledge of:
- Thorough knowledge of the theories and techniques of crisis counseling and crisis intervention.
- Strong theoretical and practical understanding of crisis intervention methods and techniques.
- Strong understanding of best practices relating to duties of the position and the ability to work independently, making sound decisions based on best practices, laws, policies, and procedures.
- Strong knowledge of community resources, human service systems, and referral pathways.
- Familiarity with trauma-informed, person=centered, and recovery-oriented approaches.
- Proficiency in and commitment to multicultural competence and experience working with individuals from culturally diverse populations, including underrepresented and/or underserved populations.
- Skill at prioritizing work activities and multi-tasking while under pressure.
- Skill in public and interpersonal relations. Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Leadership strategies and supervision for human service professionals.
- Initiatives to enhance community safety through criminal justice reform
Ability to:
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, customers, and supervisors.
- Communicate effectively (orally and in writing).
- Maintain composure, solve problems and make sound decisions under pressure.
- Assist with the initial stabilization of persons in crisis and to link them with appropriate community resources.
- Establish and maintain effective professional relationships and collaborate effectively with court system stakeholders, law enforcement, co-workers, residents, County staff, local agencies, community members, and clients and their family members.
- Respond to concerns from citizens, other town employees, or human service agencies.
- Demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, while maintaining an ethical standard of care.
- Work independently, effectively problem-solve and handle difficult situations and complex decision-making.
- Work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as part of a 24-hour operation.
- Measure and evaluate outcomes of community programs.
- Model behavior that is consistent with our town values of RESPECT (Respect, Equity, Safety, Professionalism, Ethics, Communication, Teamwork).
- Utilize a computer and various word processing and database software applications.
Experience:
- At least five years of professional work experience within the social service/human service field with experience in crisis work, as well as at least two years supervisory experience.
- Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience working in a law enforcement or public safety setting.
Education:
- A master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling or other program of study directly related to the occupational field.
- Licensed or license-eligible in the following areas is preferred: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Supervision Exercised:
The work requires supervising and monitoring performance for full-time and program support personnel.
Physical Demands:
The work requires sitting at a desk or table, with intermittent standing or stooping. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
Work Environment:
The work is typically performed in an office environment. At times, services are delivered in a wide variety of community settings including private homes, businesses and in the public.
Supplemental Information
- Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver's license issued by the state of NC.
- This classification has been designated as Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
- The position is driving essential and must conform to the Town's Safe Driving and Accident Policy and procedures
Salary : $94,184 - $113,020