Training Coordinator

CIT Coordinator Job Description

NAMI Lehigh Valley is seeking a coordinator to manage Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, a collaborative program of mental health professionals, law enforcement and community partners to improve responses to mental health crises.  The individual will be hired and supervised by NAMI Lehigh Valley but will work closely with Northampton County Mental Health (NCMH) staff.

The contracted CIT coordinator is expected to engage in CIT related activities with an average of 20 hours per week, with 2-3 full week trainings which would require 40+ hours during those 40-hour training weeks.  Some weekend and evening hours may be required.

Key responsibilities include:

• Schedule, coordinate, and participate in monthly meetings with the CIT Steering Committee that oversees the training component of this work; participate in program content planning
• Outreach to police departments and other first responder agencies and community members to establish rapport, educate first responders and support community advocacy efforts
• Manage logistics of one-day and week-long courses including materials, food and beverage, location, speaker acquisition, confirmation, and support, registration of attendees
• Data collection and reporting, including include the number of emergency and non-emergency calls to Northampton County 911 center for mental health assistance, the training knowledge held by area officers, the safety outcomes, and the disposition of police contracts for consumers.
• Maintain necessary records

• Maintain internal information channels, such as a newsletter and/or resources for clinicians in the crisis field
• Provide updates to mental health providers, community health providers, law enforcement and others to create a sense of community

Other required tasks may include:

• Participating in creating an annual strategic plan
• Creating meeting agendas, supporting documents, distribution of these materials in preparation of the meeting
• Scheduling program speakers
• Providing support to presenters in advance of the training and on training days

Qualifications:

A CIT coordinator must be well-organized, detail-oriented, motivated, and self-driven in their work.  Support will be provided to the coordinator by NCMH and other training partners, however, the coordinator should be capable of independently monitoring and following up on required activities with minimal assistance from NCMH. Coordinator should be comfortable working in partnership across the CIT framework including but not limited to: police Chiefs and police officers, Sheriffs, staff from The Department of Corrections (correctional officers, parole and probation, leadership).

Excellent organizational and communication skills are necessary to facilitate trainings, engage in networking activities, and establish good working relationships with area police departments.

A high level of professionalism is expected at all times.  As the program develops further, the coordinator should be able to build reciprocal relationships with all area police departments and related agencies to foster CIT in Northampton County by providing support to officers as well as advocacy and support for individuals experiencing mental illness in our community.

Training:

A new CIT coordinator will participate in the CIT International Coordinator Training as well as the Train-the-Trainer program to establish a basic understanding of the tenets and best practices of CIT as well as the components of quality training and community engagement.  A CIT coordinator should also attend the CIT conference annually as well as other PA statewide CIT meetings to network and share ideas with other CIT coordinators as funding permits. The CIT coordinator may attend local level meetings where CIT can share/gain information about the needs of the Northampton County community.