The primary function of this position is to guide the implementation of the organization’s suicide prevention program and coordinate suicide prevention efforts at U.S.VETS locations across the country. This position is responsible for implementing and maintaining the organization’s vision and mission; providing suicide prevention vision and guidance to key stakeholders; implementing evidence-based practices and interventions; and achieving the organization’s performance goals. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Clinical Services of U.S.VETS and also receives guidance and direction from the Vice President of Programs.

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Responsibilities:

• Manages U.S.VETS’ Suicide Prevention Program by providing guidance, support, training, and supervision to each site
• Facilitates implementation of suicide prevention strategies at national and local levels through education, monitoring, and coordination activities.
• Serves as the national expert on suicide prevention and intervention, including the public health approach to suicide prevention, the integration of behavioral health and physical healthcare; serves as an expert on best practices, systems, and policy-level prevention approaches
• Maintains professional and current knowledge of suicide prevention best practices and emerging research
• Provides strategic oversight, leadership, direction, and execution of suicide prevention initiatives and strategy
• Oversees, monitors, and implements the goals and objectives of the U.S.VETS Suicide Prevention Program
• Identify and interpret public health data to plan and evaluate suicide prevention practices, and to identify ways to fill gaps in national suicide prevention strategies
• Engages new stakeholders nationwide to extend the reach and impact of suicide prevention efforts
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with key stakeholders in suicide prevention, public health, and behavioral health at local, state, and national levels
• Identify and interpret public health data to plan and evaluate suicide prevention practices, and to identify ways to fill gaps in national suicide prevention strategies
• Facilitates implementation of suicide prevention strategies at national and local levels through education, monitoring, and coordination activities
• Identifies veterans at high risk for suicide, offers direction to providers regarding delivery of enhanced care to high-risk veterans and serves as a resource for frontline staff in suicide
• Ensures crisis management services are provided to veterans in accordance with best practice standards
• Provides supervision to crisis intervention counselors and other designated staff at U.S.VETS sites who are responsible for implementing the components of the organization’s suicide prevention program
• Collaborates with Director of Behavioral Health staff members and other relevant site leadership for site-specific suicide prevention staff supervision and program operations
• Performs necessary tasks to track and achieve Suicide Prevention program goals and compile data for reporting
• Develops a national U.S.VETS Coordinated Crisis Response Plan to include policy and procedure development
• Creates National standardized suicide risk assessment tools to be utilized at each U.S.VETS location to support proper assessment and intervention strategies
• Facilitates/coordinates staff suicide prevention certification training or skills based training to both clinical and non-clinical staff for each U.S.VETS site to assure that they are able to respond to veterans during crisis situations
• Travel as needed to support national efforts.
• Handles special projects as required.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, public health, public administration, sociology, or other related field, and/or four years of clinical or suicide prevention experience strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree in related field and a minimum of two years directly relevant experience required.
• Experience in developing and maintaining high-level community stakeholder relationships required.
• Experience working with homeless and/or veteran population preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of clients, staff, and community members.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Leadership and conflict management skills.
• Demonstration of personal and financial integrity in the workplace.
• Ability to take direction, work independently with minimal oversight, and to work within a team.
• Computer proficient in Microsoft Office and Internet.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
• Must have strong presentation skills and possess the ability to interact with small, medium, and large groups.
• Valid driver’s license required. Must meet company insurance requirements and complete a provided driver training course.
• Experience dealing with clients possessing multiple barriers.

U.S.VETS provides housing, counseling, career services and comprehensive support to 5,500 homeless and at-risk veterans and families each night. Founded in LA more than 25 years ago, U.S.VETS now has 30 residential sites and services centers across the country, with more in development. With the goal of ending veteran homelessness, U.S.VETS launched prevention programs, focused on jobs and mental health, and advocates on the State and Federal level for resources to help service members transition successfully to civilian life. We will continue in our mission until no man or woman who served our country is left sleeping on its streets.