What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Director - Residential Services position at The Bridge?
Description
The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.
Scope of Position: The Program Director oversees daily operations and clinical services at a 41-bed Safe Haven facility in the Bronx, funded by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). Reporting to the Area Director, the Program Director supervises both operational and clinical staff, ensuring that client-centered services—including case management, psychiatric care, medical services, meals, and housing referrals—are delivered effectively and in compliance with funder requirements. This role requires maintaining strong partnerships with DHS and homeless outreach teams, supporting resident engagement and retention, and fostering a trauma-informed environment. The Program Director ensures that the facility remains clean, safe, and audit-ready at all times, while motivating staff to use crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies to support clients experiencing behavioral health challenges.
Essential Position Functions
The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.
Scope of Position: The Program Director oversees daily operations and clinical services at a 41-bed Safe Haven facility in the Bronx, funded by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). Reporting to the Area Director, the Program Director supervises both operational and clinical staff, ensuring that client-centered services—including case management, psychiatric care, medical services, meals, and housing referrals—are delivered effectively and in compliance with funder requirements. This role requires maintaining strong partnerships with DHS and homeless outreach teams, supporting resident engagement and retention, and fostering a trauma-informed environment. The Program Director ensures that the facility remains clean, safe, and audit-ready at all times, while motivating staff to use crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies to support clients experiencing behavioral health challenges.
Essential Position Functions
- Directly supervise Case Managers, Housing Specialists, clinical staff, and the Operations Coordinator; oversee the full client service cycle—from admission and ongoing care to discharge into stable housing.
- Be available for 24-hour crisis intervention as needed.
- Maintain active relationships with outreach teams, DHS, and subcontractors for food and medical services.
- Manage all personnel-related activities, including hiring, scheduling, policy development, staff meetings, trainings, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and labor/management relations.
- Ensure full compliance with contract requirements—maintaining census, timely admissions/discharges, proper documentation, and incident reporting.
- Prepare the program for external site visits, inspections, and audits.
- Perform administrative duties, including monitoring data entry in CARES, managing petty cash, and tracking staff attendance.
- Assess and coordinate facility maintenance needs; serve as liaison with maintenance personnel to ensure fire safety, cleanliness, repairs, purchasing, and general facility upkeep for a safe and welcoming environment.
- Participate in required staff meetings, supervision sessions, and trainings.
- Obtain F-80 Fire Coordinator Certification and Food Handler Certificate within six months of hire.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Master’s degree in a related field required; LMSW, LCSW, or LMHC strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 2–3 years supervisory experience, ideally in both clinical and operational settings.
- Experience working with street homeless populations and individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
- Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage complex service delivery programs.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Familiarity with AWARDS, CARES, and BCS systems is a plus.
- Spanish fluency is highly desirable.
