Program Director- We Rise Program

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operation of the We Rise youth services program serving young people in the community. This individual ensures a safe, supportive, and structured program environment that promotes youth development, trauma-informed care, and compliance with state regulations.

The Program Director provides supervision and guidance to program staff while fostering a collaborative, mission-driven team culture. This role works closely with internal departments, community partners, and external stakeholders to support the well-being and success of youth participating in the program.

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing program operations, ensuring quality service delivery, maintaining program documentation and reporting requirements, and supporting staff in providing youth-centered services that align with Centerboard’s mission and values.

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (or similar 8-hour shift such as 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Any scheduling accommodations outside of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM must be approved by the supervisor and cannot exceed more than 60 days.

Flexible scheduling may include:

• Evening hours to overlap with second-shift staff for supervision, training, or meetings (accommodations to ensure monthly supervision with overnight staff are held).
• Occasional weekend availability for family visits, DCF audits, or special events.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Lead, supervise, and support a team of direct care staff, shift supervisors, case managers, and other personnel.
• Foster a positive, mission-driven team culture focused on trauma-informed and youth-centered care.
• Facilitate regular staff meetings, trainings, and performance evaluations.
• Conduct and document regular supervision meetings and annual performance evaluations for assigned staff.

• Provide consistent supervision to Direct Care staff and maintain supervision documentation and meetings through the Smart Sheet system. Supervision should be consistently scheduled and provide opportunities for staff support, performance feedback, professional development, and training updates.

• Use supervision as a forum to discuss concerns, address performance issues, and support staff development and overall program operations.

• Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, and trauma-informed care across all shifts.

• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, funding requirements, and Centerboard policies and procedures.
• Maintain oversight of program documentation including safety drills, incident reports, program records, and participant files.
• Serve as liaison during program audits, external reviews, and critical incident investigations.
• Participate in agency audits, inspections, and quality assurance initiatives.

• Oversee participant enrollment and transition processes in collaboration with program staff and community partners.
• Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, incident logs, and case files in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Ensure delivery of individualized, strength-based programming that promotes youth educational, emotional, and social development.

• Respond effectively to behavioral crises and ensure implementation of behavior management plans and safety procedures.
• Ensure the program maintains a safe and structured environment for youth and staff.
• Monitor the program site and ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

• Oversee program staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage and compliance with labor regulations.
• Ensure appropriate staffing coverage to support program operations and participant needs.
• Facilitate hiring, onboarding, and training of staff in accordance with EEC and DCF regulations.

• Develop and manage the program’s operational budget with oversight from senior leadership.
• Monitor resource allocation and fiscal operations for the program.
• Review and approve staff schedules, timesheets, and expense reports.

• Prepare monthly and quarterly program reports for agency leadership and DCF.
• Maintain strong working relationships with DCF caseworkers, schools, healthcare providers, families, and community partners.
• Participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, and youth planning reviews.
• Represent the program in community forums and inter-agency collaborations.

• Provide oversight of the cleanliness, safety, and security of the physical plant and grounds, ensuring both routine and emergency repairs are submitted through the Smart Sheet system.
• Maintain oversight of program property including staff keys, cell phones, vehicles, and other agency property to ensure proper maintenance and accountability.

• Participate in the agency on-call rotation and respond to after-hours incidents as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (not required) in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2–5 years of experience in social work or residential care, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, program administration, and crisis intervention.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, and residential treatment environments.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts DCF and EEC group care regulations.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead diverse teams and work effectively with youth who have experienced trauma.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and maintain flexibility in a dynamic work environment.

• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to pass CORI, SORI, fingerprinting, and DCF background checks.

Required Trainings and Skills:

Required trainings include CPR/First Aid, Dynamics of a Crisis including Physical Restraint Training, Medication Administration, Orientation Training, HIPAA, OSHA, Ethics and Boundaries, Trauma-Informed Care/Collaborative Problem Solving, and any other related trainings required by Centerboard, Inc.

Employees must maintain certification compliance through refresher trainings and demonstrate competency in all required training areas.

Required skills include strong organizational abilities, effective and professional communication, the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, and flexibility in a changing environment.

Salary : $64,872