Director of Alternative Response

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$117,119.00 - $193,172.00 Annually

Hiring Salary Range:

$117,119.00 - $155,145.50 Annually

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits  

Job Summary

The City of Baltimore is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as the Division Director of Alternative Response within the Department of Neighborhood Safety (DNS). Reporting to the Executive Director, the Alternative Response Division Director will provide daily operational leadership for the City's Alternative Response Division, overseeing the development, implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of non-law enforcement crisis response services that connect residents to appropriate health, behavioral health, and community services. This also include direct operational oversight of the Divisions’ core service components.

The Alternative Response Division Director will lead the City's efforts to expand and strengthen evidence-based, trauma-informed alternative response programs that improve community safety and resident well-being while reducing unnecessary law enforcement involvement in appropriate calls for service. This leader will translate the Department's vision into operational excellence by managing programs, staff, budgets, partnerships, and performance outcomes ensuring alignment with Paragraph 97 of the City’s Consent Decree, Violence Prevention Strategy and the Overdose Response Strategic Plan.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and results-oriented leader with experience managing complex public sector or community-based initiatives, building cross-sector partnerships, and driving continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making.

Essential Functions

Leadership & Operations

• Lead the daily operations of the Alternative Response Division, ensuring effective, timely, and equitable delivery of crisis response services.
• Develop annual operational plans and program procedures.
• Supervise multidisciplinary staff, including managers, while promoting accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
• Manage service delivery, staffing, scheduling, operational workflows, and program expansion.
• Oversee workforce training and certification for Division staff including de-escalation, trauma informed care, harm reduction, and naloxone training.
• Coordinate development of legal risk and liability frameworks for field-based response space in partnership with the City Law Department.

Program Administration

• Administer Alternative Response programs, contracts, grants, and assigned financial resources.
• Manage the division's operating budget.
• Ensure compliance with departmental policies, funding requirements, and operational standards.
• Recommend and oversee the implementation of operational improvements that increase efficiency, effectiveness, and service quality.
• Provide strategic leadership for data management, governance, and data use agreements to ensure data integrity, compliance, and effective organizational data sharing.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and monitor operational performance indicators, including response times, service utilization, referral outcomes, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee the analysis of operational data to improve service delivery and resource utilization.
• Prepare performance reports.
• Implement quality assurance and continuous improvement procedures.
• Oversee the onboarding, training, and professional development of staff to ensure successful integration, role readiness, and adherence to department standards.

Operational Partnerships

• Coordinate daily operations with partners, such as EMS, behavioral health providers, hospitals, community organizations, law enforcement partners, and other service providers.
• Develop operational agreements and referral processes that improve coordination of services.
• Engage community stakeholders to improve alternative response program design and implementation.
• Work closely with the 911 Call Center regarding calls, data and risk management.
• Partner with the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and housing providers to strengthen housing navigation pathways for individuals served by the Division.

Strategic Support

• Provide operational expertise to support department-wide planning initiatives.
• Recommend operational policies, protocols, and procedures that improve alternative response services.
• Identify emerging operational needs, service gaps, and resource requirements for Executive Director consideration.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Work, Criminology, Emergency Management, Behavioral Health, or a closely related field.

AND

Experience: Have five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in public health, behavioral health, emergency response, human services, public policy, criminal justice, or related governmental or community-based programs, including supervision of professional staff, management of complex programs, and oversight of programmatic and fiscal resources.

Previous experience in local, state, and/or federal government is preferred but not required.

AND

Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in alternative response systems, crisis intervention, behavioral health, trauma-informed care, program implementation, or cross-sector collaboration. Experience developing operational policies, managing contracts and partnerships, using performance data to improve outcomes, and leading multidisciplinary teams. Strong ability to build collaborative relationships and implement innovative community safety strategies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong operational and management skills.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with experience collaborating across agencies, community organizations, public safety partners, and diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and public communication skills, with the ability to influence, build consensus, and navigate sensitive issues.
• Results-oriented with a proven ability to implement programs.
• Knowledge of alternative response, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making.
• Knowledge of data-sharing and privacy frameworks (such as HIPAA) governing cross-agency behavioral health and public safety data.

Additional Information

Background Check                                       

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed. *Successful completion of a security background check conducted by the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).  

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory 1-year probation.

Additional Duties as Assigned

Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays as required in alignment with MAP policy and procedures.This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.  Willing to work under potentially abusive, hazardous or emergency conditions.

Operates City vehicles as required to perform assigned duties and maintains a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy.

Financial Disclosure

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire. 

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER