Director, Crisis and Grief Services (LCSW) - On-site, Full Time

Director of Crisis and Grief Services (LCSW)

Senior Program & Clinical Leadership Role with Direct Clinical Supervision

Location: Walnut Creek, CA — On-Site, Full Time

Salary Range: $125,000 – $145,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

Licensure Required: Active, unrestricted California LCSW (minimum 5 years post-licensure)

Position Overview

The Director of Crisis and Grief Services is a senior clinician-leader responsible for both programmatic leadership and direct clinical supervision across CCCC’s crisis and grief services. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role provides overarching leadership for clinical standards, supervision, quality assurance, and staff development within a complex, high-acuity crisis environment.

As a member of CCCC’s collaborative leadership team, the Director partners closely with the Executive Director, Director of Finance & Operations, Program Manager, and Call Center Manager. While day-to-day operational logistics are managed by program and operations leadership, the Director holds primary authority and accountability for clinical practice, supervision, and client-facing standards of care across crisis and grief programs.

This role is well-suited for an experienced LCSW who values direct supervisory relationships, systems-level impact, and shaping best practices in suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and grief support.

Core Areas of Responsibility

Direct Clinical Supervision & Practice Leadership

·         Maintain direct, ongoing 1:1 clinical supervisory relationships with call center specialists and other designated frontline staff.

·         Guide staff in professional practice related to client engagement, crisis response, suicide risk assessment, de-escalation strategies, documentation, and ethical decision-making.

·         Support staff in applying evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches to complex and high-risk client situations.

·         Foster reflective practice, professional growth, and clinical confidence through structured supervision, feedback, and coaching.

Clinical Oversight & Risk Consultation

·         Provide senior clinical oversight for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline services, crisis-related 211 calls, and Grief Services programs.

·         Serve as a clinical resource for escalation and consultation on high-risk cases through defined supervision and escalation protocols, including review of calls, texts, and chats as appropriate.

·         Facilitate clinical debriefings following critical incidents and support follow-up learning and staff support.

·         Ensure consistency in clinical judgment, client safety practices, and documentation standards in alignment with AAS and California BBS requirements.

Quality Assurance & Clinical Systems

·         Design, oversee, and continuously improve clinical quality assurance and risk management systems.

·         Lead case consultation processes, clinical audits, and data-informed performance improvement initiatives.

·         Review and interpret QA data, call metrics, and outcome measures in collaboration with program and data staff.

·         Contribute clinical analysis to incident review, compliance activities, accreditation processes, and funder reporting.

Training & Workforce Development

·         Design, implement, and oversee training curricula for staff, volunteers, and interns.

·         Ensure training reflects best practices in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, postvention, and grief support.

·         Oversee onboarding and ongoing professional development, including manuals, supervision frameworks, evaluation tools, and continuing education standards.

·         Support the development of a skilled, confident, and resilient crisis workforce.

Leadership, Collaboration & Culture

·         Serve as a senior member of the organization’s leadership team, contributing clinical perspective to organizational planning and decision-making.

·         Partner with internal leaders to align clinical practice with program operations and organizational goals.

·         Collaborate with community partners — including Contra Costa Health, A3/Miles Hall, law enforcement, and VOAD — to support coordinated and equitable crisis response systems.

·         Promote a trauma-informed organizational culture that values compassion, accountability, equity, and staff wellbeing.

Required Qualifications

·         Active, unrestricted California LCSW, with a minimum of five (5) years post-licensure experience as an LCSW.

·         At least two (2) years of direct clinical supervision of staff providing client-facing behavioral health or crisis services.

·         Demonstrated expertise in suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care.

·         Strong skills in clinical supervision, documentation, and quality assurance.

·         Experience guiding frontline staff in real-time or near–real-time crisis work.

·         Excellent communication and collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams.

·         Commitment to equity, inclusion, and staff wellbeing.

Preferred Qualifications

·         Experience in an AAS-accredited crisis or suicide prevention center.

·         Familiarity with California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) supervision and documentation requirements.

·         Experience with clinical quality improvement systems or accreditation processes.

·         Completion of AAS Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk (RRSR) or equivalent training.

·         Background in grief services, postvention, or disaster mental health response.

AAS Certification & Training

·         AAS Crisis Specialist Certification required or obtained within six (6) months of hire.

·         Completion of AAS Crisis Specialist training and exam (minimum 80% passing score).

·         Certification renewal every three (3) years with AAS-approved continuing education.

·         CCCC supports required AAS training, certification costs, and continuing education as part of its investment in clinical leadership and accreditation excellence.

Work Schedule & Compensation

·         Full-time, exempt position

·         On-site in Walnut Creek to support direct supervision and team presence

·         Regular weekday schedule with evening or weekend availability

Salary range: $125,000–$145,000, with typical hiring near the midpoint based on experience

Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage; employer-sponsored 403(b); paid holidays; generous PTO; and professional development support

About the Contra Costa Crisis Center

The Contra Costa Crisis Center (CCCC) serves more than 80,000 individuals each year through its 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 211 Information & Referral, Grief Services, and community-based crisis response programs. For over 60 years, CCCC has provided compassionate, confidential, and culturally responsive support to people experiencing crisis throughout Contra Costa County.

We are committed to equity, trauma-informed practice, and ensuring that every person in distress is met with dignity, empathy, and skilled support — and that the professionals providing that support are well-trained, well-supervised, and well-supported.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

Contra Costa Crisis Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with federal and California law.