Specialized Program Director

Specialized Program Director - Forensic and High-Behavioral Residential Services

Position Overview

The Specialized Program Director provides leadership and oversight for forensic and high-behavioral residential programs serving youth and adults with complex behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs. These programs support individuals requiring enhanced staffing ratios (including 4:1) and intensive behavioral, clinical, and environmental structure.

This role is responsible for day-to-day program operations, staff supervision, and clinical collaboration, ensuring the delivery of safe, trauma-informed, and evidence-based services. The Specialized Program Director plays a key role in program development and expansion, helping the organization grow specialized residential services for high-acuity youth and adults.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Operations
  • Oversee daily operations of 1–3 specialized residential homes serving high-behavioral and forensic-involved youth and/or adults.
  • Ensure staffing patterns align with authorization requirements, enhanced ratios, and safety needs.
  • Monitor program performance, staffing stability, and service quality.
  • Lead program development efforts to expand specialized forensic and high-acuity residential programming.
  • Facilitate regular team meetings focused on safety, structure, and individualized support strategies.
• Staff Supervision & Development
  • Supervise and support supervisors, residential staff, and program leadership personnel.
  • Partner with Human Resources on hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management.
  • Provide consistent coaching and corrective guidance in high-risk situations.
  • Foster a structured, accountable, and supportive team culture.
  • Ensure staff are trained and competent in:
    • Behavior support plans
    • Crisis de-escalation
    • Physical intervention protocols
    • Trauma-informed care
• Clinical Collaboration & Treatment Alignment
  • Serve as a clinical leader with an operational focus, ensuring services align with treatment goals.
  • Work collaboratively with:
    • BCBAs and DSPs
    • Occupational Therapists (OT)
    • Clinical providers
    • Educational and school teams
  • Participate in treatment planning, case coordination, and IEP meetings as appropriate.
  • Ensure behavior support plans and therapeutic interventions are implemented with fidelity.
  • Maintain clinical integrity while respecting scope of practice, collaborating rather than duplicating external clinical roles.
• Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and licensing requirements.
  • Oversee documentation, incident reporting, CPS reporting, safety drills, and environmental standards.
  • Monitor physical safety, cleanliness, and program readiness.
  • Ensure staff adherence to agency policies, safety protocols, and reporting requirements.
  • Support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• On-Call & Crisis Support
  • Participate in a rotational on-call schedule (approximately every 5–6 weeks).
  • Provide clinical and operational guidance during crises.
  • Coordinate escalation with leadership and emergency response systems as needed.
  • In-person response may be required in rare circumstances to ensure client safety.

Physical & Safety Requirements

• Must be physically capable of participating in physical intervention and crisis response.
• Ability to successfully complete and maintain approved physical intervention and safety training.
• This role requires direct involvement in environments where aggressive or high-risk behaviors may occur, including the use of safety holds when necessary to protect clients and staff.

Qualifications

• Education & Licensure (Required)
  • Master's degree in social work, Counseling, or a related clinical field.
  • Active or eligible for Maine licensure:
    • LCSW-cc
    • LCPC-cc
• Strong clinical foundation with an operational leadership lens.

Experience & Skills

• Experience working with forensic-involved or high-behavioral youth.
• Demonstrated leadership in residential or intensive treatment settings.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Behavior support models
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Multi-disciplinary team collaboration
• Ability to lead in high-stress, high-acuity environments.
• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.

Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Occasional evenings or weekends as required for program needs
• Rotational on-call responsibility

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership advancement
• Meaningful work in a mission-driven, specialized care environment
• Health, dental, and vision insurance

Why This Role Matters

This position is critical to the safety, stability, and growth of specialized residential services for youth with the most complex needs. The Specialized Program Director plays a central role in building sustainable forensic and high-behavioral programming that protects youth, supports staff, and strengthens the organization’s long-term capacity.