About the Job
The Rochester Daniel’s Law Community Advisory Board is seeking a Director for HOPE (Healing Outreach and Peer Engagement) First Roc to begin Fall 2025. This position will direct the non-police crisis response unit pilot for one year during which time they will hire and develop a team who will respond to calls for crisis intervention in Rochester’s Southwest Neighborhoods. Following a successful pilot period, the program will expand its team, scope, and hours. The Director of HOPE First Roc will work under the supervision of, and regularly report to, the Daniel’s Law Community Advisory Board.
Modeled after CAHOOTS, HOPE First Roc is one of several models of non-police crisis response teams across the country working to ensure that people in crisis are met with care and compassion. Our mission is to mobilize peer support for people in crisis to ensure safety in our community. We believe that “we keep us safe.” As a peer led organization, we value lived and living experience as a key element of an individuals’ capacity to lead, respond to crisis, effectively navigate existing structures, and imagine creative futures for a community in which everyone is safe. Our ideal candidate will possess a love for the people and faith in our capacity to take care of each other.
Key Duties
Work with Community Advisory Board to hire and train Community Responders
Ensure proper training for high quality service delivery
Assign and direct work and determine a process of evaluation and alignment.
Maintain oversight of staff and day to day operations
Manage effective work flows for calls from community members experiencing a crisis
Administer the budget for HOPEFirstRoc.
Interpret and implement directives from the Board. Communicate Employment decisions and operations updates with the Community Advisory Board (CAB) including hiring and firing.
Foster a trauma-informed environment that does not rely on police and is fully voluntary
Develop positive working relationships with community organizations and individuals in the neighborhood; attend community events, develop programming in line with the HopeFirstRoc mission;
Resolve conflict and manage emotional stress among Community Responders, supervisor, and one’s own self.
Develop and implement a data-collection workflow with staff about incoming calls, a first-contact form, community engagement, responses, and follow-up.
Maintain and evaluate data to produce annual reports to be made public; produce quarterly internal reports for the CAB.
Additional duties may be determined in consultation with the CAB.
Qualifications
At least 5 years of work experience in crisis intervention, trauma-informed services, and or related fields (i.e. Counseling, Social Work, Peer Support, Peer Supervision, Care Coordination and Management, Trauma Intake Clinic, etc.)
At least 5 years of experience in a directing or supervising capacity
Experience administering trauma-informed community care
Demonstrated leadership and project management experience
Demonstrated flexibility and ability to be responsive to shifting circumstances
Capacity to build trusting relationships with community partners: residents, local businesses, community organizations
Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to de-escalate situations, and assess crisis situations quickly
Ability to manage fast-paced work environment
Respect and compassion for people living with mental health and substance use diagnoses
Multilingual (preferred, but not required)
Compensation
Salary Range: 75,000-85,000
This is a full-time exempt position for one year. Reappointment will be determined by the Community Advisory Board and subject to available funding.