Special Projects Manager - Crisis Support

Title: Special Projects Manager – Crisis Support

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS: 

Under supervision of the Health & Wellness Officer, this position is responsible for: 

1. Crisis Support:  Provides immediate crisis management and trauma-informed support and intervention for employees impacted by traumatic events by promptly assessing staff needs, facilitating assistance, and responding to impacted park sites as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours after an incident. 
2. Upstream Resiliency Interventions: Supports the coordination and development of training and services to create a healing-centered environment at the Park District to support resilience and trauma-informed responses and protocols across teams. 
3. External Partnership Management & Support: Partners with external experts and organizations to leverage resources to support the emotional wellbeing of staff.  
4. Data Analysis, Record Keeping, and Resource Management: Maintains and updates accurate records, resources, and materials; sharing analysis and reports with leadership to inform efforts. 

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Crisis Support

• Coordinates as necessary with internal leadership to provide swift and proactive responses to incidents on Chicago Park District sites experiencing crisis or trauma-related events, ensuring timely support and intervention. Conducts an initial on-site visit to affected park sites as soon as possible, but no later than within 48 hours of the incident occurring, facilitating immediate assistance and assessment of needs. 

• Conducts multiple in-person visits with impacted employees following incidents to assess employee needs, encourage employee utilization of available resources, and to provide ongoing support.  

• Provides other trauma resiliency and crisis support consultation and referrals to employees as directed.  

• Collaborates with internal teams to share insights and provide recommendations to strengthen staff wellbeing.  

• Conducts outreach to families after an incident, when deemed appropriate by Park District leadership; provides recommendations to other resources to support park participants’ wellbeing   

• In consultation with leadership, manages post-incident internal and external communication efforts, including communications to employees, park participants, and community members impacted by incidents. 

• Keeps up to date with crisis intervention techniques, mental health policies, and community resources to provide the most effective support to employees, including the City of Chicago’s mental health and resiliency resources. 

• Maintains strong communication with internal departments to be responsive to crisis needs and adjusts responses and interventions as necessary. 

• Serves as “on call” as necessary to be responsive to ongoing crises. 

Trainings & Interventions 

• In collaboration with Chicago Park District Human Resources, Security, Health & Wellness Officer, Policy, and other departments, along with external partners, conducts preventative upstream learning opportunities and trainings to build emotional health literacy and resiliency in staff, including supporting efforts to create of a healing centered environment at the Park District.  

• Supports and travels to parks, regions and units throughout the city on a regular basis to share resources, gather feedback, and implement healing-centered initiatives. 

• Provides ongoing guidance and support to staff to ensure they are familiar with the manual and equipped to utilize its resources during crisis events. 

Data Analysis, Record Keeping, and Resource Management  

• Continuously monitors internal incident reports to stay informed about crisis events occurring within park sites; provides regular reports on actions taken in response to such incidents. 

• In consultation with leadership, regularly updates and maintains crisis and trauma support plans and protocols, including manuals and standard operating procedures. 

• Maintains detailed records of traumatic events, including trends, common affected areas, and the types of trauma or events observed. Maintains detailed and accurate case documentation, including assessments, progress notes, and crisis intervention plans. 

• Utilizes gathered data to identify priority areas for crisis support and, in consultation with leadership, determines the distribution strategy for trainings and support.