Director, Crisis Intervention & Trauma (Volunteer)

Director, Crisis Intervention & Trauma (Volunteer)

About Us

Put Children First is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding the emotional and psychological well-being of children impacted by parental separation and divorce. The organization supports equal shared parenting, cooperative co-parenting, and research-based advocacy to ensure that children maintain meaningful and healthy relationships with both parents whenever it is safe and appropriate. Through education, outreach, and strategic partnerships, the organization creates initiatives that empower families and promote child centered solutions.

The organization operates through a collaborative leadership model involving directors, board members, and volunteers who work together to provide programs, research, and community support. This leadership structure ensures a strong foundation for developing initiatives that support mental health, academic success, and emotional stability for children. Through ongoing partnerships and public engagement, the organization is committed to creating environments where children thrive.

Number of Opening: 1

Status: Unpaid Volunteer

Commitment: Approximately 10-12 hours per month

Term: 2 years

Position Summary

The Director of Crisis Intervention & Trauma provides strategic guidance on trauma-informed practices and crisis response as they relate to children and families experiencing family transition. This role supports the organization’s commitment to ensuring that its educational resources, advocacy efforts, and community initiatives are informed by compassion, evidence, and an understanding of trauma.

Working alongside clinicians, researchers, and community partners, the Director will help strengthen organizational capacity to respond thoughtfully to the emotional realities that many children and families experience during separation and divorce.

About the Opportunity

Family transition can be one of the most significant events in a child’s life. While many children adapt well with appropriate support, others may experience heightened stress, uncertainty, grief, or trauma, particularly when conflict, instability, or exposure to harmful experiences is present. Recognizing these realities is essential to creating environments where children can heal and thrive.

As Director of Crisis Intervention & Trauma, you will help ensure that Put Children First promotes approaches grounded in empathy, safety, and resilience. Your expertise will guide the development of educational resources, community partnerships, and public messaging that reflect trauma-informed principles and encourage early support for families.

This role offers an opportunity to contribute your knowledge to a growing national movement dedicated to protecting children’s emotional wellbeing. By helping shape thoughtful responses to crisis and trauma, you will support initiatives that strengthen families and promote healthier outcomes for future generations.

Why This Role Matters

Children often experience family conflict differently than adults. By integrating trauma-informed perspectives into programs, education, and advocacy, this role helps ensure that organizational initiatives remain responsive to the emotional needs of children and families during times of transition.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance on trauma-informed practices.
• Review educational materials through a trauma-informed lens.
• Support the development of crisis response resources.
• Build partnerships with mental health and trauma organizations.
• Advise leadership on emerging issues related to childhood trauma.
• Participate in public education and professional development initiatives.
• Promote best practices in crisis prevention and early intervention.

Qualifications

• Professional background in psychology, counselling, social work, psychiatry, child and youth care, or crisis intervention.
• Experience working with children, youth, or families experiencing trauma.
• Understanding of trauma-informed care principles.
• Strong communication and collaborative leadership skills.
• Registration with a professional regulatory body is considered an asset.

At Put Children First, we believe meaningful change begins with people who are willing to share their knowledge, experience, and compassion in service of others. If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute to a national movement that places children’s wellbeing at the centre of family transition, we would be honoured to hear from you.