Director, Intensive Treatment Residence (ITR)

Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs in Needham, MA, is seeking an Intensive Treatment Residence (ITR) Director to lead operations and staff of the 12-bed program on the Needham Campus. The role ensures high-quality, trauma-informed care and oversees treatment plans for youth and families.

You will supervise direct care staff, ensure licensing compliance, and collaborate with leadership on budgets. A strong commitment to child-centered, family-focused care is essential, with MAP

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• MAP Certification must be completed within 90 days of start date.
• Minimum 5 years of professional management experience in a similar setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations for the 12-bed ITR program.
• Supervise direct care staff and coordinate with HR on performance.
• Ensure licensing standards are met and program quality.
• Lead staff trainings and participate in leadership meetings.
• Oversee MAP certification process and crisis intervention practices.
• Develop and manage the annual operating budget for the ITR.
• Serve as Administrator On-Call on a rotating basis.
• Establish relationships with families and community partners.

Skills

TCI training

First Aid/CPR

Medication training

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Calm under pressure

Teamwork

Transport clients

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

MAP Certification

Job description

About Walker

Since 1961, Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs has been a trusted partner for children, youth, and families, navigating some of life's most difficult challenges. Based in Needham, our mission is to nurture hope, build strengths, and develop lifelong skills in partnership with the children, youth, families, and communities we serve. We provide comprehensive, trauma-informed residential, educational, and clinical services to children and youth with complex social-emotional, behavioral, and learning needs, while supporting their families every step of the way. Through three specialized divisions—Residential & Educational Programs, Behavioral Health & Community-Based Services, and Walker Solutions—we deliver relationship-based care and capacity-building that makes a lasting difference. Today, we serve children, youth, and families from more than 150 communities across Massachusetts.

Make a Difference Every Day—and Gain Skills You Can Use for Life

The Intensive Treatment Residence (ITR) Director plans, directs, oversees and manages the operations and staff within Walker's ITR program on the Needham Campus. This position oversees the services, education and/or treatment plans of the youth and their families to ensure they are high quality and are consistent with the goals of the agency, and provides a safe environment for staff, and youth and their families. Must be committed to child centered, family focused, culturally competent care and strength-based treatment.

Essential Functions

• Perform in a way that is aligned with the agency mission and core values. This includes but is not limited to services that are trauma informed, relationship based, family involved, developmentally focused, competence centered, and ecologically oriented.
• Oversee daily operations and decision making for 12 bed ITR program.
• Oversee the Medication Administration Program (MAP) including obtaining and maintaining MAP certification.
• Oversee hiring of ITR positions, provide primary and secondary supervision to direct care staff and supervisors, and collaborate with the leadership team and human resources on performance monitoring of ITR staff.
• Ensure integrity and quality of treatment for the ITR program and ensure all licensing standards are adhered to.
• Work with the ITR team to increase the use of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) philosophy and language, including early intervention and de-escalation techniques in the day-to-day running of the program.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and management of the annual operating budget for the ITR.
• Oversee ITR admissions.
• In conjunction with the Director of Clinical Services – Res Ed and ITR, facilitate monthly ITR multi-disciplinary team meetings and leadership meetings.
• Establish, maintain, and nurture working relationships with families, community partners, and state agency representatives by attending meetings and providing consistent communication about the ITR program.
• Oversee risk management and participate in crisis support and floor coverage as needed, and review and approve critical incident reports.
• Collaborate with leadership across campus programs on staff trainings, shift schedules, and any additional needs to ensure strong communication and consistency.
• Lead staff trainings as part of CARE and Walker Academy.
• Participate in agency leadership meetings such as Operations Management, Operations Systems Oversight Committee, and others.
• Serve as Administrator On-Call for the campus on a rotating basis.
• Additional duties as assigned

Skills And Abilities

• Must be able to successfully pass and apply Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training
• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid/CPR training
• Must be able to successfully pass medication training
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to remain calm and make safe decisions in high-pressure situations
• Capacity to work effectively in a stressful and fast-paced environment
• Ability to learn, retain, and apply principles taught in training and supervision
• Physical stamina to participate in activities with children
• Ability to stand, walk, and run for extended periods, perform frequent bending, stooping, stretching, lifting, sitting, stairs, typing, and looking at a computer screen
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and computer experience is required
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a team, including during times of high stress
• Ability to transport clients in company vehicles

Schedule

• Monday-Friday with additional flexibility for evenings and weekends as needed

Qualifications

Education and Certifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• MAP Certification (must complete within 90 days of start date if not currently certified)

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in related field

Experience

Required

• At least 5 years of professional experience reflecting increasing management responsibility in a similar setting.

Preferred

• Previous experience working in a similar setting

Other Requirements

• Successfully complete all background check suitability requirements
• Must have reliable transportation
• Valid MA driver's license preferred

Supervisor: Vice President of Needham Campus Programs

Supervises: ITR direct care supervisors and additional ITR staff and interns as assigned.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Walker is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon an individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, national guard or reserve unit obligations, participation in discrimination complaint-related activities, or membership in any category protected by federal or state law.