First Responders Engagement Director

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of First Responder & Law Enforcement Relations serves as the organization's senior relationship leader for law enforcement, fire service, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and other first responder agencies across the service area. This individual will build trust-based partnerships with public safety leaders, represent the organization with credibility and professionalism, and serve as a reliable point of contact who follows through, communicates clearly, and helps connect agencies to meaningful behavioral health, crisis response, and wellness resources.

The ideal candidate is a respected relationship builder who understands the culture of first responder environments, can engage confidently with chiefs, sheriffs, command staff, and frontline personnel, and can translate organizational resources into practical support for the field. This role requires executive presence, strong community instincts, excellent communication, and a reputation for responsiveness, consistency, and follow-through.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS:

This is a high-visibility leadership role for an individual who can build credibility with law enforcement and first responders, strengthen community trust, and help shape how behavioral health and public safety work together across the region. The person in this role will serve as an important bridge between agencies, leadership teams, and the community-helping ensure strong communication, practical collaboration, and dependable follow-through.

For the right candidate, this role offers the opportunity to represent an important mission, influence cross-system partnerships, and have a direct impact on responder wellness, crisis coordination, and community outcomes. It is well-suited for a respected, service-minded professional who values relationships, accountability, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in the field.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE:

• A trusted and credible relationship builder who can quickly earn respect with law enforcement, first responder leaders, and community stakeholders.

• A confident communicator who is equally effective in executive discussions, community forums, agency briefings, and field-based conversations.

• A dependable professional known for responsiveness, follow-through, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive issues with professionalism.

• A community-minded leader who understands the culture, pressures, and realities of public safety work and can translate organizational resources into practical support.

• A strategic partner who can identify partnership opportunities, remove barriers, and strengthen coordination between first responder agencies and behavioral health services.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, criminal justice, healthcare administration, behavioral health, communications, business, or related field preferred; equivalent leadership experience in public safety, community engagement, or cross-system partnership roles will be strongly considered.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public safety collaboration, law enforcement relations, first responder engagement, community partnership development, behavioral health outreach, or a closely related field preferred.

• Demonstrated experience working with, within, or alongside law enforcement and other first responder agencies, with the ability to quickly establish credibility and trust across public safety settings, strongly preferred.

• Exceptional interpersonal, public speaking, and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently in both formal leadership settings and frontline environments.

• Proven ability to engage effectively with sheriffs, chiefs, command staff, frontline personnel, executive leadership, and community stakeholders while maintaining professionalism, responsiveness, and follow-through.

• Knowledge of behavioral health systems, crisis response services, co-response models, responder wellness, and community resource networks strongly preferred.

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly throughout the service area.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Relationship Development & Community Engagement

• Build and sustain high-trust relationships with law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and other first responder partners across the service area.

• Serve as the primary organizational ambassador and trusted point of contact for law enforcement and first responder relationship management, outreach, issue resolution, and partnership development.

• Maintain a strong field presence through regular in-person engagement with police departments, sheriff offices, fire departments, EMS agencies, dispatch centers, detention settings, and related community partners.

• Represent the organization at community meetings, agency briefings, trainings, public safety events, and cross-sector planning forums with professionalism, clarity, and credibility.

• Develop and strengthen partnerships that improve coordination, communication, and shared problem-solving between first responder agencies and behavioral health, crisis, and community support services.

Program Promotion & Coordination

• Promote organizational services, crisis response resources, wellness programs, training opportunities, and community initiatives available to first responders and their families.
• Assist with the development and implementation of first responder-focused wellness, education, peer support, and resilience initiatives.
• Coordinate outreach campaigns, educational presentations, and engagement activities tailored to public safety professionals.
• Collaborate with internal leadership teams to improve responsiveness to first responder needs and service accessibility.

Strategic Support & Collaboration

• Identify emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities impacting first responder agencies and communicate findings to organizational leadership.
• Partner with clinical, operational, and community teams to improve continuity of care and referral pathways for first responders and community members.
• Support crisis response coordination efforts and cross-system collaboration initiatives as appropriate.
• Assist in developing community partnerships that align with organizational mission, strategic priorities, and growth initiatives.

Data Tracking & Reporting

• Track outreach activities, engagement efforts, partnerships, and community impact metrics.
• Prepare reports and updates regarding partnership development, engagement outcomes, and strategic opportunities.
• Maintain organized documentation of agency contacts, meetings, and collaborative initiatives.

SUCCESS MEASURES:

• Establish and maintain strong, active relationships with key law enforcement and first responder agencies across the service area.

• Demonstrate timely, consistent follow-through on agency requests, partnership opportunities, and community concerns.

• Increase awareness, utilization, and engagement with relevant organizational services, programs, and responder support resources.

• Strengthen coordination and shared problem-solving between public safety partners and internal operational or clinical teams.

• Expand the organization's visibility and credibility through regular external engagement, presentations, and participation in community or public safety forums.

• Provide leadership with meaningful updates, relationship intelligence, and actionable insights regarding agency needs, trends, and partnership opportunities.

Working Conditions

This position requires regular travel throughout the organization's service areas, including visits to community agencies, public safety departments, and organizational locations. Occasional evening or weekend attendance at community events or meetings may be required.

Mission Alignment

The First Responder Engagement Director is expected to actively support and advance the organization's mission, values, culture, and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the communities served.