Center Director (Secure Youth Residential Treatment Program)

Join Our Leadership Team As A Center Director: Secure Residential Youth Services (Highland Park, MI) 

Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services is seeking a highly qualified and experienced professional to fill the demanding and profoundly rewarding role of Center Director. Located in Highland Park, MI, our two-facility campus has a total capacity of 160 court-involved male youth, aged 12 to 20, referred for secure detention and short-term treatment.

We require a leader with a strong social work, criminal justice, or correctional administration background and a proven track record of successful leadership in secure youth residential programs. The ideal candidate has a deep passion and expertise in guiding staff who work with youth displaying challenging behaviors, including verbal and physical intimidation, who often present with complex histories of trauma, neglect, mental health issues, and substance abuse.

About the Role and Our Mission

The Center Director provides strategic oversight and leadership for the day-to-day operations of this secure youth childcare institution. This role is critical in ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive therapeutic development of the youth under our care, many of whom have experienced significant trauma associated with abuse, neglect, and lower socioeconomic levels.

The Director leads and manages a dedicated team of professionals, including managers, security, and facility operations, providing guidance and support necessary for managing a high-acuity population.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Management & Compliance Excellence: Oversee all daily functions, ensuring strict adherence to all relevant regulations, policies, and procedures. This includes maintaining 100% compliance with State of Michigan DHHS Licensing, the American Correctional Association (ACA), and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards.
• Strategic Staff Leadership & Retention: Ensure staff are effectively trained, and provide decisive leadership and mentorship to staff. The Director must champion initiatives to support, develop, and retain high-quality, resilient staff who work effectively with youth displaying challenging, aggressive, or crisis behaviors, thereby minimizing turnover.
• Behavioral & Safety Oversight: Drive the implementation of trauma-informed practices and evidence-based behavior management strategies to maintain a secure environment and facilitate youth accountability and growth.
• External Collaboration: Collaborate with external stakeholders, including DHHS Licensing, Wayne County, Care Management Organizations, and community partners, often acting as the lead point of contact for audits and accreditation efforts.
• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with youth, families, and staff, emphasizing a culture of respect and therapeutic intervention.

Our Treatment Approach

Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services utilizes the Forward Focus Treatment Model©, an evidence-based clinical treatment program developed for adolescents with serious offending behaviors. Our approach is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care and is designed to prevent recurring legal involvement, promote prosocial development, and lead to successful life outcomes.

Therapeutic Services include weekly individual therapy, group therapy, trauma-focused services, family therapy, and robust reentry planning.

Affiliations: Social Current, American Correctional Association (ACA), National Juvenile Detention Association, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Compensation & Benefits

Join a team committed to transforming young lives. We offer a comprehensive package for this vital leadership role:

• Compensation commensurate with experience
• 31 Days of Paid Time Off Annually
• BCN Medical
• BCBS Dental
• BCBS Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• 403(b) with employer match
• $25,000 Life Insurance

Qualifications & Experience

Education:

• • Preferred: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Correctional Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
  • Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, or a related field is acceptable with extensive, demonstrable leadership experience in a secure setting.

Experience:

• • Required: Extensive, responsible experience in institutional management of juvenile treatment institutions or relevant secure settings.
  • Compliance Track Record: Proven success in leading facilities through ACA, CARF, or state licensing audits with superior results.
  • Team Development: Demonstrated experience in building, sustaining, and motivating staff teams in high-stress environments, with an emphasis on effective staff retention strategies.
  • Specific Expertise: Proven experience providing leadership and oversight in facilities that specifically manage youth with:
    • A history of complex trauma, abuse, and neglect.
    • Co-occurring mental health and substance abuse histories.
    • High-level, challenging behaviors, including aggression and physical/verbal intimidation.
  • Experience providing direct treatment services in residential treatment, case management, group work, family therapy, and behavior modification processes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• • Thorough knowledge of institutional management practices with particular emphasis on administrative practices, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining high standards of compliance and accreditation.
  • Must have a thorough knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Applied Behavior Modification, and Family Therapy.
  • Practical working knowledge of modern business management practices.

General Requirements

• Must have a valid State of Michigan Driver's License.
• Must complete and return a DHS Central Registry Clearance showing no findings.
• Must have a criminal history free of felony convictions.
• Must pass a physical examination which indicates satisfactory health status; must be free from communicable diseases, including a negative TB clearance.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Join the team today!

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