Clinical Director - Youth Intensive Services

Sweetser; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 76,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employera

Generous paid time off, holidays, and浮

Tuition reimbursement and educational/

PSLF Program

Free professional development and培训

Job summary

Sweetser in Portland, ME seeks a Clinical Director for Youth Intensive Services to provide overall direction of the program and coordinate services for youth and families. The role promotes trauma-informed, family-driven approaches and partners with leadership to support workforce development and program quality.

The position requires a Master’s in behavioral healthcare, at least 3 years of related clinical experience, and licensure as LCSW or LCPC.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in behavioral health required.
• LCSW or LCPC licensure required.
• 3+ years of related clinical supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and operational oversight across youth programs.
• Supervise program managers, supervisors, and therapists.
• Ensure fidelity to program models and trauma-informed approaches.
• Oversee referral, admission, discharge, and transitions.
• Monitor compliance with licensing standards and program data.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Program oversight

Staff supervision

CQI knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in behavioral healthcare

LCSW or LCPC

Job description

Becoming part of the Sweetser family means you can make a difference in the lives of Maine children, adults, and families every day. As a nationally recognized and accredited leader, we offer competitive salaries, a wide range of benefits and the opportunity to join a passionate team of more than 700 employees. Clinical Director - Youth Intensive Services Job Code: 13479 Location: Portland 04101 Department: Child Case Mgmt Services FT/PT Status: Full Time Summary: Responsible for the overall direction of the assigned program/department(s). Responsible for coordinating all aspects for youth and family services. This position will implement and sustain new children’s services and ensure the ongoing operational success of current programs assigned to them. This position promotes a trauma-informed, family-driven, youth-guided approach that strengthens family functioning, supports safety and stability, and reduces the need for out-of-home placement. Partners with organizational leadership and community stakeholders to support workforce development, continuous quality improvement, and sustainable program operations. Salary Range: $76,000-$91,020 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides clinical and operational oversight across intensive youth programs supporting clients and families in the home and community setting, establishing clear expectations for service quality, staff accountability, and program performance.
• Supervises and supports assigned program managers, supervisors, clinical leaders, therapists ensuring consistent leadership practices and access to appropriate clinical supervision and consultation.
• Ensures fidelity to each program’s distinct model, including service intensity, team composition, assessment, planning, interventions, family engagement, and transition practices.
• Promotes trauma-informed, culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate services that incorporate the strengths, preferences, and goals of children, youth, and families.
• Oversees referral, admission, and discharge practices to ensure appropriate program fit, timely access, coordinated transitions, and continuity of care.
• Provides consultation on complex clinical situations, including safety concerns, child welfare involvement, family instability, and risk of hospitalization or out-of-home placement.
• Ensures effective crisis response and escalation procedures, including appropriate after-hours coverage and timely communication of significant concerns to organizational leadership.
• Ensures service plans are individualized, measurable, and developed collaboratively with families, youth, natural supports, and involved providers and systems.
• Monitors compliance with applicable licensing standards, payer requirements, contracts, professional standards, and organizational policies, addressing identified gaps promptly.
• Oversees documentation quality and timeliness, ensuring records support clinical decision-making, demonstrate services delivered, and meet applicable requirements.
• Reviews clinical outcomes, family and youth feedback, model fidelity findings, incidents, and program performance data to identify trends and implement improvements.
• Partners with program leaders and Human Resources on recruitment, onboarding, training, retention, and performance management, ensuring staff have the competencies required for their roles.
• Monitors staffing, caseloads, service capacity, productivity, and program budgets in collaboration with operational and finance leaders to support effective and sustainable services.
• Supports program development and expansion, including implementation planning, staff readiness, policy development, and integration with other organizational services.
• Fosters a collaborative, accountable work environment that supports staff well-being, ethical practice, reflective supervision, and a shared commitment to children and families.
• Participates in on-call rotation.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Ability to support and recognize the important role volunteers play. Sweetser employees work with, support, collaborate with volunteers, and promote opportunities for volunteer engagement.
• Participates in CQI training and staff education, and utilizes and implements process improvement techniques in the management of program/department operations.
• Participates in community groups in an effort to increase personal awareness of community conditions and the persons served.
• Ensures the confidentiality of all client information and release of information from area(s) of responsibility. Under the HIPAA Privacy regulations.
• Collaborates with other directors to ensure effective performance and integration organization-wide.
• Keeps abreast of laws and regulatory changes that affect behavioral healthcare systems through personal initiative, seminar training programs and peer contact.
• Be committed to the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Work collaboratively as a member of a team with various groups of staff, depending on the issue addressed.
• Assure quality in work performed to facilitate the delivery of quality services.
• Reports accidents and injuries in a timely fashion, demonstrates safe housekeeping practices, notifies supervisor of potential health and safety concerns immediately, participates in health and safety training as required, understands and follows all Sweetser health and safety policies.
• Follow Suicide Safer Care practices.
• Performs all other duties as assigned

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to behavioral healthcare services and/or discipline of responsibility.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• LCSW or LCPC required
• Maintain a valid state driver’s license.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least three (3) years of related clinical experience.
• Assessed competence in the role assumed.
• Demonstrated track record of success in supervising a team of professional clinicians.
• Demonstrated knowledge/experience in an organization’s CQI process.
• Demonstrated experience with utilizing trend data in management planning efforts.

Full-Time Comprehensive Benefits Package Includes:

• Medical/dental/vision insurance and HSA/FSA options with generous employer contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and household members
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and float day
• Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Employee discount program
• Milage reimbursement, applicable incentive and differential pay programs
• Eligibility for annual increases and referral bonuses
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnership discounts
• 30% tuition discount for UNE's Online Graduate Programs
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Free professional development and training opportunities through the Sweetser Training Institute