Director, Access Helpline

This Is a Grant Funded Position : The incumbent Oversees the daily operations of the Access Helpline to include planning, coordination, development of objectives and priorities, and monitoring of care management of consumers of mental health services and all associated activities. Identifies and develops short-and long-range plans and ensures the development and implementation of new directions. Provides expertise and leadership in developing integrated relationships and initiatives among District agencies, Federal agencies, and private agencies and institution to include the implementation of the 911 Call Diversion Program and the initiation of 988 workflows and activities. Manages the daily operations of the crisis access and response system and information referral hotline. Oversees operation of a crisis response system 24 / 7 operations. Oversees dispatching of 911 diverted calls to the Community Response Team and Co-Response Teams respectively, site-based psychiatric emergency services and crisis stabilization services. Integrates 988 as a new initiative into current call center that promotes access to clinical support via telephone calls and a chat and text platform designed to triage, assess crisis, and de-escalate consumers exhibiting suicidal ideation.

Number of Vacancies : One (1)

Area of Consideration : Open to the Public

Tour of Duty : 8 : 15 am 4 : 45 pm Monday Friday, may include evenings and weekends

This position IS NOT in a collective bargaining unit :

Duration of Appointment : NOT-TO-EXCEED 09 / 30 / 2026, MANAGEMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICE (AT WILL)

AT WILL EMPLOYMENT APPLIES TO THE MANAGEMENT SUPERVISORY SERVICE (MSS). ALL POSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS IN THE MSS SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY AND MAY BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME WITHOUT CAUSE.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT :

As a basic requirement, all applicants must have successfully completed a four (4) year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelors or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences. This position requires one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the CS-13 level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position to be filled which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties.

LICENSURE

None

EDUCATION

Bachelors or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences

WORK EXPERIENCE

Experience in managing the operational elements of a Crisis Call Center, Also Experience in managing and de-escalating consumers in crisis.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is usually performed in an office setting.

In accordance with Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, Suitability, the incumbent of this position shall be subject to Criminal Background Check. This position also requires a Pre-employment Physical.

Residency Requirement

A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, a line attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proof of a non-expired DC Driver's License or Non-driver's license and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Residency Requirement : If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

Position Designation : This position is deemed as Protection Sensitive pursuant to Section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests :

• Criminal background check;
• Traffic record check (as applicable);
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test;
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test; and
• Return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.

EEO Statement : The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Salary : $150,000