Associate Director of School-Linked Mental Health Services

Brief Description

Join our Team at Fernbrook Family Center!

Associate Director

Position Summary

Fernbrook Family Center is seeking an Associate Director to provide leadership and operational oversight for assigned behavioral health programs. This position serves as a key connection between day-to-day program operations and agency-wide systems, supporting staff, maintaining compliance, strengthening community partnerships, and promoting high-quality service delivery.

The Associate Director works collaboratively with program Directors, clinical leadership, administrative departments, and community partners to support successful program operations and ensure alignment with Fernbrook Family Center’s mission, values, and standards.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Staff Supervision

• Provide day-to-day operational and administrative leadership for assigned program(s).
• Supervise and support clinical and program staff, which may include therapists, mental health practitioners, case managers, interns, and program support staff.
• Promote staff development, effective service delivery, accountability, and adherence to agency policies and expectations.
• Ensure staff receive the appropriate level of clinical supervision based on their position, credentials, and experience.
• Collaborate with the Director of Clinical Training and Supervision to coordinate clinical supervision assignments and support as needed.
• Support onboarding, ongoing training, coaching, and skill development for program staff.
  
  

Program Operations & Compliance

• Maintain program compliance with applicable licensing, contractual, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
• Support efficient program operations, including staff scheduling, productivity monitoring, client lists, and coverage planning.
• Participate in program audits, quality assurance activities, and performance monitoring.
• Track and review program indicators and outcomes to identify opportunities for quality and performance improvement.
• Collaborate with Directors regarding program budgets, staffing needs, and operational priorities.
• Participate in leadership and administrative meetings as assigned.
  
  

Community & Agency Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison between assigned programs and community partners, including schools, counties, referring agencies, and other organizations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with county and community partners and support compliance with applicable grant and contract requirements.
• Collaborate with other Fernbrook programs operating at the same location to promote communication, coordination, and continuity of services.
• Communicate and uphold Fernbrook Family Center’s mission, vision, and values throughout program operations.
  
  

Client Services

• Provide mental health services to children, adults, and families through individual, family, and group modalities, as applicable to the assigned program.
• Meet established productivity and billable service expectations while balancing leadership and administrative responsibilities.
• Complete required documentation and participate in mandatory program meetings.
• Travel between client sessions, Fernbrook locations, and community settings as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or Executive Director of the assigned program(s).
  
  

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership, supervision, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Knowledge of behavioral health documentation, billing, compliance, and service delivery standards.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and responsibilities.
• Collaborative, flexible, and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with employees, leadership, and community partners.
• Commitment to ethical practices and Fernbrook Family Center’s mission and values.
  
  

Education & Experience

• Minimum of one year of experience working in a behavioral health setting.
• Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and an acceptable driving record are required for positions involving community-based client contact or travel.
• Must successfully complete required criminal background checks in accordance with Fernbrook Family Center and Department of Human Services requirements.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in program leadership, management, or staff supervision.
• Experience with behavioral health program compliance and quality improvement.
• Experience collaborating across departments or programs.
• Experience working with counties, schools, community organizations, and/or other external partners.
• Bilingual skills are preferred.
  
  

Position Type & Expected Hours

• This is a salaried position.
• Work schedules are flexible and generally occur between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Salaried employees generally work 40–43 hours per week, although hours may vary based on program responsibilities, projects, and agency needs.
• Travel to Fernbrook offices and other locations throughout Minnesota may be required based on program and organizational needs.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Extended periods of sitting, listening, observing, and working at a computer.
• Occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds.
  
  

Program Assignment

This Associate Director position provides leadership for the following program(s):

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The Associate Director will fulfill the responsibilities outlined in this posting while ensuring compliance with the specific regulatory, clinical, contractual, and operational expectations applicable to the assigned program(s).

Reasonable Accommodations

Fernbrook Family Center is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. We value employees with lived experience relevant to the populations we serve. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fernbrook Family Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, disability, pregnancy, age, military status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Additional Information

This job posting is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the position. Duties and responsibilities may change based on program and organizational needs.

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