ASSISTANT CRISIS DIVISION MANAGER

This position serves as a key member of the Crisis Division’s leadership structure, supporting the Crisis Division Manager by providing division wide operational oversight, guidance, and coordination for all Crisis Team personnel. This role helps ensure high-quality service delivery, consistent coverage, and effective alignment across both co-response and alternative response operations within the Chapel Hill Police Department’s Crisis Division.

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:

Ability to: 

Experience:

Education:

 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