Crisis Workforce Development Specialist

Summary/objective

The Crisis Workforce Development Specialist focuses on strengthening the recruitment, retention, and engagement of the crisis program workforce, including clinical, peer, support, and supervisory staff. Operating within a high-acuity crisis care system, this role builds strategic relationships with statewide pipeline partners and training programs to ensure timely staffing. The specialist designs and executes target initiatives to reduce staff burnout, optimize onboarding, and minimize turnover disruptions, thereby enhancing the overall employee lifecycle within Delaware Guidance Services.

Population / Program Focus

· Crisis program workforce (clinical, peer, support, supervisory staff).

· Prospective candidates and workforce pipeline partners statewide.

· Current crisis staff with focus on retention, engagement, and wellbeing.

Goals

· Strengthen recruitment pipelines to support timely staffing of crisis services.

· Improve staff retention, engagement, and workforce stability in a high-acuity system.

· Reduce vacancy duration, turnover, and burnout-related disruptions to crisis response.

· Enhance staff experience through targeted development and support initiatives.

Essential functions: Responsibilities & Duties (Scope of Work)

Recruitment Strategy & Pipeline Development

· Develop and implement a targeted recruitment strategy for crisis program roles.

· Build and maintain relationships with universities, training programs, workforce boards, and community partners.

· Coordinate job postings, recruitment events, career fairs, and outreach activities specific to crisis services.

· Support equity-focused recruitment efforts to reflect the communities served.

Hiring Support & Coordination

· Partner with leadership, supervisors, and HR to streamline hiring workflows and reduce time-to-fill.

· Coordinate screening, interviews, and candidate communications for crisis program positions.

· Track recruitment metrics including applicant volume, vacancies, and hiring timelines.

Job Description: Crisis Workforce Development Specialist

Retention & Workforce Engagement

· Collaborate with leadership to identify retention risks and trends.

· Support implementation of retention initiatives such as mentorship, career pathway development, and recognition and incentive strategies.

· Conduct stay interviews, exit feedback reviews, and periodic workforce satisfaction assessments.

· Promote trauma-informed workforce practices and staff wellbeing supports including resilience, and burnout-prevention initiatives.

· Support succession planning and workforce pipeline development within the crisis system.

Data Tracking & Continuous Improvement

· Monitor recruitment and retention data to identify gaps, successes, and priority needs.

· Identify training gaps impacting retention using staff feedback and workforce data.

· Support onboarding and early-stage staff success to reduce first-year turnover risk.

· Provide regular reports to leadership on workforce trends, vacancy impact, and improvement opportunities.

· Use data to guide adjustments to recruitment strategies and retention initiatives.

Competencies/ Capabilities

· Business Management and Strategic Planning

· Customer Service and Employee Relations

· Workforce Development and Planning

· Compliance & Risk Management

· Performance management, disciplinary action & termination

· Training and orientation

· Initiative/drive, results orientation

· Written and Verbal Communication

· Interpersonal skills/relationships/teamwork

· Judgment/decision making/problem solving

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Work environment: Office Based, Partial telecommuting with approval

Travel required: Between Sites as Needed

Job Description: Crisis Workforce Development Specialist

Minimum qualification:

· Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Behavioral Science, Education, Organizational Development, or a related field

· Demonstrated professional experience in recruiting or training delivery

· Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record required for statewide travel

Preferred qualification:

· Master’s degree in Human Resources, Behavioral Health Administration, Social Work, or a related field

· Experience working within a healthcare or mental health crisis system is highly preferred

· Demonstrated experience in Healthcare

EEO:

Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.