Program Director

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy

• Works to understand leadership’s goals around program strategy and determines how these goals translate into program policies and practices
• Makes daily decisions in support of the program strategy for the organization
• Communicates program-related updates or changes to leaders and/or direct care staff with instructions about how to incorporate this into program and licensing standards, policies, and procedures
• Proactively supports Youth Care Workers and other care professionals to ensure their actions reflect Ellipsis’s organizational strategy and priorities

Youth Placement and Discharge

• Coordinates youth placements, including intake and discharge decisions
• Approves all probations and decisions to discharge, both scheduled and unscheduled

Youth Care and Assessment

• Ensures the implementation of the Service Plan for each youth through regular collaboration with the Program Team ^*
• Monitors and oversees communication to all individuals associated with a youth, including families, counselors, therapists, direct care staff, school personnel, the Department of Human Services, Juvenile Court staff, and any others involved in the youth’s support system
• Oversees required paperwork, including timely report writing, file management, outcomes measures, and any other documentation to ensure Ellipsis is in compliance with all auditing requirements

Program Activities

• Assists the Program Team ^* in organizing all program activities; these may include, but are not limited to recreation, education, and work details

Crisis Intervention

• Collaborates with the COO to develop crisis and behavior management techniques that are helpful to the youth and Ellipsis staff; ensures that these techniques are shared through proper training and coaching
• Acts as a resource to help in solving an immediate crisis or problem
• Reviews and responds to all significant incidents
• Is subject to 24-hour emergency call and on occasion will return to Ellipsis facilities to handle emergency situations

Program Environment

• Ensures that custodial and maintenance needs which cannot be managed by program staff are escalated to the Chief Operating Officer for resolution
• Orders supplies, including food, clothing, or other items
• Ensures that all program facilities and supplies are clean and orderly

Employee Development

• Manages performance of the leaders and individual contributors within the assigned Program Team^*
• Works with team members to establish performance goals and hold them accountable for their performance, including annual performance management, ongoing development, and corrective action where needed
• Monitors staff’s interaction with youth and other team members, coaching them to improve job performance through evaluation, role modeling, and training

Performs other duties as assigned

^* Program Team consist of Supervisors, Therapists, Caseworkers, Youth Care Workers, HHS, JCS, families and others involved in supporting the youth.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field, such as sociology, psychology, human services, or other degrees, or equivalent work experience
• Meets state licensing requirements under the appropriate chapter according to the program (Chapter 109 or Chapter 114)
• At least 2+ years of related experience in child welfare services
• At least 2+ years of direct leadership experience
• Demonstrated performance as a leader, including the ability to build and motivate high-performing teams through good judgement, common sense, and the capacity for growth
• Evidence of emotional stability and maturity, with demonstrated capability of working with and establishing relationships with youth who have program behaviors or emotional difficulties
• Critical thinker and problem solver who demonstrates decision-making and time-management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work independently, with minimal oversight, and with high ethical standards
• Able to deal tactfully with youth, family members, visitors, government agency representatives and the general public
• Able to provide positive role modeling for residents in areas of communication, decision-making, and problem solving
• Willing to make decisions based on what’s best for kids and families
• Willing to participate in all scheduled meetings, trainings and supervision sessions as requested
• Basic computer skills including experience working in Microsoft Windows and Office products
• Clear criminal and child abuse background checks
• Acceptable driving record

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Proven experience leading a child welfare program is preferred
• Understanding of the Juvenile Court System and the Department of Human Services system
• Experience working with children and families in a community-based program preferred
• Knowledge in the field of child services helpful. Knowledge or prior experience working with high-risk youth, especially with youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, homelessness, or other traumatic experiences preferred