Director of Outreach, Suicide Prevention Initiatives

Student Health and Well-Being (SHWB) Mental Health Services at Johns Hopkins University seeks an energetic, organized, and motivated Director of Outreach, Suicide Prevention Initiatives. In collaboration with the Mental Health Services (MHS) senior leadership team, this role provides strategic leadership and oversight of key initiatives that support suicide prevention and the reduction of barriers to access for populations historically underserved in traditional mental healthcare.

This Director will develop and implement a university-wide outreach strategy to address key drivers of mental health and well-being including accessibility of care, suicide prevention, skill building, and connectivity between campus partners in student support roles. The Director will closely collaborate with MHS leadership, Health Promotion and Well-Being, and campus partners to advance a comprehensive suicide prevention framework, as well as oversee the coordination of training and outreach on a wide range of topics to support the mental health and well-being of JHU students and learners. This role will also collaborate closely with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and other university offices to increase awareness and access to services for communities that are historically underrepresented in the utilization of mental healthcare. The Director of Outreach will also have expertise in program evaluation to support assessment of the effectiveness and impact of MHS programs and services as well as contribute to quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• This position will be primarily based at the Homewood clinic but may provide virtual or in-person services and supervision at other locations in Maryland or Washington, D.C.
• Flexible hours are required at key times in the academic year (e.g. orientation and special events) including evenings and weekends.

• Percentages of duties and responsibilities are given as a general guideline and will vary depending on the time of year and current priorities of the organization.
• This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis; other duties as assigned based on operational needs.

Outreach Program Administration (30%)

• Develops and executes a strategic plan for the expansion of the MHS outreach program, including implementation of a wide range of outreach initiatives focusing on increasing help-seeking behavior and community awareness of mental health resources; closely collaborates with the Office of Health Promotion and Well-Being.
• Provides strategic oversight of the liaison program that provides outreach and support to populations historically underserved in mental health care, student engagement groups, and mental health-oriented peer programs across the university; collaborates closely with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and campus partners.

• Develops and oversees MHS liaison relationships with partners across the university to ensure engagement with key audiences.
• In close collaboration with the Office of Health Promotion and Well-Being, oversees social media campaigns and online forms of communication, including the MHS website and JHU campus-wide communication portals, to disseminate information regarding events, educational programming, and mental health campaigns.
• Delivers outreach and educational programs including resource fairs, community meetings, and training to JHU faculty, staff, and students.
• Oversees the outreach budget and explores additional opportunities for funding.

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Suicide Prevention Initiatives (30%)

• In collaboration with SHWB and MHS leadership, develop and implement a public health-informed and comprehensive framework for suicide prevention.
• Researches and implements best practices in suicide prevention including training and skill building, postvention, and means restriction.
• In collaboration with the Office of Health Promotion and Well-Being, develops and oversees suicide prevention training for faculty and staff to facilitate awareness of resources and skill-building for recognizing students in distress.
• Develops liaisonships with campus partners across the university to identify opportunities for suicide prevention partnerships, with a particular focus on higher-risk populations.
• Oversees the Interactive Screening Protocol and related programs and activities.
• Evaluates current suicide prevention curricula (QPR and Mental Health First Aid) and considers or develops new or revised curricula as appropriate.
• Remains abreast of current literature and research on suicide prevention, public health approaches to behavioral health, and evidenced-based outreach and intervention strategies.

Program Evaluation (25%)

• In close collaboration with the Chief Mental Health Director, MHS leadership team, and SHWB data analyst, interprets metrics for utilization and impact of MHS services to support a comprehensive approach to program evaluation.
• Utilizes a data-informed approach to recommend and support modifications and expansions to existing programs, services, and outreach with a focus on increasing access and impact for populations who may be underrepresented in utilization of MHS services.
• Conducts needs assessments and tracks trends related to mental health needs for student and learner communities.
• In collaboration with SHWB stakeholders and data analysts, develops and contributes to reports for various audiences to advance awareness of MHS programs and services and their impact.
• In close collaboration with key stakeholders, leads and participates in quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participates in the development and support of MHS research activities that align with the goals and priorities of SHWB.

Supervision and Administrative Duties (15%)

• Effectively manages 2-5 direct reports, including onboarding, goal setting, performance evaluations, performance management, and related HR processes.
• Develops, maintains, and reviews relevant policies, procedures, and other written materials for areas of oversight.
• Participates in training programs and professional development of staff through the provision of didactic training, consultation, and seminars.
• Leads or participates in MHS staff recruitment and hiring processes.
• Actively contributes to MHS leadership team activities and strategic planning.
• Contributes to staff development, engagement, and teambuilding activities and actively participates in MHS-wide events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

• Experience with the implementation of a comprehensive suicide prevention framework, including curricula such as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and Mental Health First Aid.
• Experience developing programs and initiatives related to addressing health equity and supporting populations that are historically underserved in mental healthcare.
• Experience developing and executing a wide array of outreach programs for diverse audiences of learners, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to collaborate constructively with the MHS leadership team in a multi-location clinic structure.
• Experience with program evaluation, including quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Additional Information (Working Conditions)

• Schedule
• This is a 37.5-hour/week position
• This position requires evening and weekend work dependent on the programmatic needs of the University and for activities during the academic year (e.g., orientation, special events, etc.)
• One day of remote work is standard; additional remote days may be required or permitted based on operational needs
• This position is designated as a Required Attendance Employee, designated as vital to the operation of a workgroup, so may be required to work during a university closure in response to operational needs.

Worksite/Campus Locations

• Homewood
• School of Medicine
• Washington D.C.

About Johns Hopkins University Division of Student Health and Well-Being

The Johns Hopkins University Student Health & Well-Being practice group supports well-being, primary care, and mental health services for JHU students and learners across all nine schools within the University. Our integrated service delivery model provides dynamic health and well-being promotion, support and programming, student disability services including guidance and resources, and in-person primary and mental health care options at our clinics as well as remote support through phone and online resources.

We define well-being as an optimal and dynamic state that allows people and communities to achieve their full potential. By focusing on the whole " the whole person, the whole educational experience, the whole institution, the whole community " well-being becomes a multifaceted goal and a shared responsibility for the entire institution.

We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and supporting the professional development of a diverse team of practitioners and support staff who bring a range of intersecting identities as well as personal and professional experiences to their roles. The Johns Hopkins University comprises undergraduate and graduate students and learners from across the globe, and the division of Student Health and Well-being prioritizes innovative care delivery models to meet the evolving needs of our stakeholders and to support the development and sustainability of well-being.

We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and supporting the professional development of a diverse team of practitioners and support staff who bring a range of intersecting identities as well as personal and professional experiences to their roles. The Johns Hopkins University comprises undergraduate and graduate students and learners from across the globe, and the division of Student Health and Well-being prioritizes innovative care delivery models to meet the evolving needs of our stakeholders and to support the development and sustainability of well-being.

• Master's Degree in a related field from an accredited institution.

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a supervisory role responsible for the management and evaluation of employees.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Doctoral Degree in a related field from an accredited program.
• Licensed as a clinical practitioner in a related field (mental health, nursing, allied health).
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Certified Public Health (CPH) credential.
• Certification as a QPR and/or Mental Health First Aid instructor.
• Experience in a university setting is strongly preferred.

Classified Title: Director Student Well-Being
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Director of Outreach, Suicide Prevention Initiatives
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MF
Starting Salary Range: $75,100 - $131,700 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 5pm; one evening until 6pm required at Homewood location during academic terms.
FLSA Status:Exempt
Location:Hybrid/Homewood Campus
Department name: Mental Health Services
Personnel area: University Student Services