Program Director

JOB TITLE: Program Director

FACILITY LOCATION: Bee County (location undisclosed upon acceptance of offer) REPORTS TO: Treatment Director  

POSITION STATUS: Full-time, 4 days per week on campus, 1 day remote

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Program Director is responsible for the overall daily operation, quality of care, and regulatory compliance of a General Residential Operation (GRO) in accordance with Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) Minimum Standards (Chapter 748) and Texas Child Centered Care (T3C) principles. This role provides leadership to ensure children and teens receive trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and child-centered services in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment.

The Program Director must demonstrate strong proactive organizational skills, professional judgment, consistent follow-through, and effective team culture, management of staff while fostering a culture of accountability, healing, and ethical practice.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with two years of full-time child care experience in a residential child care setting, to include one year of management/supervisory experience of staff and programs, is required. 
• A graduate degree may be substituted for the required experience up to one year. 
• Clear criminal background check, DFPS central registry check, and FBI fingerprinting.
• Valid Texas driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, child development, and behavioral intervention models.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a valid driver’s license, own transportation, and the ability to drive to work (no rides from others to preserve location confidentiality). 
• Must be able to communicate with others involved in the child-care process. 
• Must be able to effectively use Google 
• Must have basic IT capabilities 
• Must have no disqualifying criminal history; must be willing to submit to a thorough criminal and background check that includes submitting to an FBI fingerprint check
• Must submit to and pass a drug test 

• Is of good moral character and a child advocate. 
• Must be able to provide a feeling of safety to the residents 
• Must possess good management skills and work as a team player
• Must be willing to work in a team-like environment

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the direction and guidance of the Treatment Director, the person in this position is responsible for collaborating with the team in the planning, organizing, staffing, motivating, directing, and managing of an agency committed to serving the victims of trafficking and at-risk youth under its care. 
• Responsible for the overall administration, operations, and management of services provided by the program. 
• Work as a team player

• Respond to critical incidents and ensure timely, accurate reporting to appropriate authorities.
• Lead or support investigations into serious incidents or policy violations.
• Ensure that emergency preparedness plans are current and implemented effectively.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation and records per licensing and organizational requirements.
• Monitor program budgets, expenditures, and resource allocations in collaboration with leadership.
• Participate in strategic planning, quality assurance, and program development efforts.
• Communicates regularly with the LCCA and Treatment Director, 
• Attends Treatment Team and CQI meetings, and staff meetings. 
• In conjunction with the Treatment Director, is responsible for ensuring the client's goals and services align with the client's custom strengths, needs, permanency plan, and ensuring each client continues to meet the criteria of the continued stay guidelines. 
• Holds primary responsibility for communication with the Executive Director regarding the current status of services being offered and the development of new programs.
• Ensures that the program functions are accomplished through a defined administrative structure. 
• Serves as the leader of the program team and ensures compliance with all minimum standards and agency policies while providing the direction and supervision necessary for other administrative personnel to accomplish their assigned duties. 
• Holds supervision and administrative responsibility for the overall child care program
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and on-call as needed.
• Responsible for or assigns responsibility for: 
• Staffing patterns to ensure the supervision and the provision of childcare services that meet the needs of residents in care. 
• Ensures the safety and well-being of the residents in care by reporting any issues of abuse or neglect suspected or witnessed
• Ensuring the provision of planned but flexible program activities designed to meet the developmental needs of residents; 
• Having a system in place to ensure that an employee is available to handle emergencies. 
• Administering and managing the operation according to agency policies; 
• Ensuring that the operation complies with applicable licensing and contracting regulations, laws, and best practices, including those related to serving victims of trafficking;
• Ensures that persons whose behavior or health status presents a danger to residents are not allowed at the operation.
• Develops and maintains community contacts, focusing on those networks appropriate to the organization's focus of service. 
• Maintains political awareness and connections within the context in which the organization does business. 
• Continually evaluates and responds positively to the ongoing needs of the organization. 
• Report any/all suspected abuse or neglect to the Administrator on duty, and they will immediately report the information to DFPS- txabusehotline.org
• Performs other duties as required/assigned.
• Evaluated annually by the Treatment and Executive Director. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Occasional need to lift up to 25 pounds. 
• Ability to be on your feet for extended periods, climbing stairs, reaching, twisting, and being outside.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, staff, families, caseworkers, probation officers, medical personnel, support agencies, vendors, community members, donors, board members, and other professionals. 
• Sufficient vision to supervise and respond to residents in a crisis situation; sufficient hearing and ability to awaken and respond to a cell phone or similar device while on call. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

•  Be willing to commit to at least two years of service and a 30-day notice for separation to help prepare residents for your departure. 
• Others may not bring you to campus; this would violate your non-disclosure agreement 
• Your introductory period is 180 days 
• Any familial or romantic relationships with other staff must be disclosed before the time of hire. 

Employee Benefits 

Paid Time off

Time of Employment Amount of PTO 

180 days (6 months) 24 hours (3 days)

1 year 40 hours (5 days)

2 years 104 hours (13 days)

3-5 years 160 hours (20 days)

6 years 216 hours (27 days)

9 paid holidays per year

• Health Insurance is paid ⅔ by the employer
• Vision and Dental Offered
• Professional and friendly work environment 

This describes the general nature of work to be performed and does not include an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, or abilities required. New Life Refuge Ministries is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Working for New Life Refuge’s Homes of Hope means adopting our mission and core values of Faith, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence as your own.  

As a member of the New Life Refuge family, your work will directly impact the residents who are survivors of sex trafficking and help change their lives and those of future generations for the better.