Crisis Response and Intervention Trainer (Closes 2/28/2025)

The Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT) is a 40-hour training program that includes 18 modules of varying lengths and learning styles. These modules focus on topical areas such as behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities, community engagement and resources, system and legal considerations, and scenario-based skills. The training program is designed to prepare correctional officers in their response to people experiencing crises related to behavioral health conditions (including mental health conditions and substance use disorders) and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The CRIT Coordinator/Trainer is a fulltime position reporting directly to the Deputy Health Services Administrator at the ACJ and collaborating with the Staff Educator; they will also work closely with the Manager, Justice Collaborations at DHS.  The Coordinator/Trainer will be located at the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ). They will facilitate CRIT for correctional officers and other jail personnel.  The Coordinator will directly train on the CRIT curriculum, support other staff and volunteers as co-trainers, coordinate the logistics required for successfully delivering the training, and establish feedback, quality assurance, and outcome measurement mechanisms.

Duties Include

Facilitation

• Provide established CRIT curriculum to staff at the Allegheny County Jail
• Collaborate with curriculum design team and other staff to ensure the most appropriate training methods and activities, iterating as needed
• Facilitate CRIT directly to regular cohorts of jail employees and support key staff to co-facilitate certain modules
• Order training supplies and materials to enhance the instruction program
• Provide guidance to individual employees on training plans and resources
• Present and facilitate training programs using recognized training techniques and tools
• Manage and maintain in-house training facilities and equipment
• Develop training visual aids, manuals, handbooks and reference resources
• Document all training sessions and relevant information
• Motivate learners and manage the emotional culture of the group
• Help learners uncover alternative lines of thinking and solutions
• Support and encourage participation
• Integrate best practices in adult learning theory into CRIT learning experiences
• Create and maintain accessible, safe and inclusive learning environments for participants/trainees
• Measure the impact of the CRIT Curriculum through multi-level evaluation strategies (Kirkpatrick’s Model- reaction, learning, behavior, impact)

Program Management

• Coordinate/manage administrative duties related to CRIT Training, including scheduling registration, sign in, evaluation, grant and other reporting
• Utilize project management tools and techniques to maximize collaboration and efficiency in the oversight of the CRIT curriculum implementation 
• Establish continuous quality improvement processes, adapting training content and modality as deemed necessary by stakeholders
• Elevate concerns and improvement areas to ACJ and Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) leadership
• Perform needs assessment to identify knowledge gaps and areas for improvement
• Inform staff about trainings, setting expectations and communicating clearly
• Design, create and present monthly reports on the CRIT training for key stakeholders including DHS and ACJ leadership, demonstrating impact and identifying areas in need of improvement
• Collaborate with DHS to fulfill grant requirements and explore additional funding opportunities
• Coordinate the activities of the various partner agencies, and organize the technical assistance necessary to institutionalize and embed new strategies in and among partner agencies, as needed
• Identify, research, and elevate systems change issues and other priorities to leadership
• Assess departmental needs and meet those needs by aligning with subject matter experts to design instruction

Knowledge of

• Criminal justice system operations; particularly in Allegheny County
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention
• Best practices in training for correctional officers
• Experience/subject matter expertise in mental health and substance use treatment best practices within correctional settings and in supporting incarcerated individuals
• Sensitive to cultural diversity and committed to racial equity

Skills in

• Public speaking; written and oral communication skills
• Project management
• Ability to assist staff in staying on topic and recognizing the benefits of material being presented
• Problem-solving skills with an ability to anticipate problems and quickly develop flexible solutions
• Leading training sessions; particularly with law enforcement, correctional officers, or similar audiences
• Knowledge of computers, audio-visual equipment, television and other technical equipment used in trainings
• Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrates and supports a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Genuine curiosity and ability to understand multiple perspectives through a trauma informed and culturally sensitive lens
• Ability to Obtain necessary ACJ clearances
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff
• Adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple tasks in a stressful environment
• Ability to promote engagement and commitment to a shared vision of providing high quality care to meet the diverse needs of incarcerated individuals
• Respond quickly and professionally to difficult situations

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, health administration or related field
• Minimum of two years experience in adult education
• An equivalent combination of education and related experience may be substituted
• Ability to work varied shifts, M-F (e.g. 2p-10p, 6a-2:30p)
• Experience working in a correctional setting is preferred
• Experience with crisis response and de-escalation programming preferred

Why Allegheny County DHS? 

• It is innovative. Most recently, the national attention and awards we’ve gotten are for how DHS integrates data and uses it to improve the safety and well-being of children through tools that support front-line staff in making decisions (using predictive analytics).
• DHS is committed to equity – for our staff, our providers, and community members.
• You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better. 

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.” 

 -From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -M/F/V/D

Salary : $75,000 - $82,000