Director of Residential Services, Central Region

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Youth Services, seeks a Director of Residential Services for the Central Region to oversee 24/7 youth facilities, ensure coordinated clinical, educational, and medical services, and lead budget and staff planning. The role requires strong leadership, crisis management, and regulatory compliance.

Candidates should have extensive management experience in juvenile services and a track record of improving program quality and safety in residential

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of professional/managerial experience in administration or public management.
• Experience in project management and budget oversight preferred.
• Ability to work with diverse staff and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for 24/7 youth facilities and ensure services are delivered effectively.
• Lead policy development, risk assessment, and coordination with partners to meet licensing requirements.
• Manage budgets, staffing, training, and quality improvement across the Central Region facilities.

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Director of Residential Services, Central Region (260006QO)

Job Description

Director of Residential Services, Central Region - ( 260006QO )

Description

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to manage the day-to-day residential operations of 24/7 facilities for the Central Region.The Director will provide effective oversight in the delivery of residential treatment services to youth who have been committed to the care and custody of DYS.

The Director will possess a positive track record in daily management to ensure that DYS delivers high-quality intervention across its entire residential continuum (overnight arrest, alternatives to detention, detention, treatment, and independent living), in hardware-secure, staff-secure, group care, and community residential settings. Our ideal candidate will champion the foundation and experience in working effectively with and through others, budgeting and fiscal management, collaboration, problem solving, listening, decision making, crisis management, public relations skills, policy and regulatory compliance, personnel forecasting, developing efficient systems/processes, and promoting and establishing strong internal/external relationships.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide effective oversight, administration, and operational direction for 24/7 youth facilities; ensure clinical, educational, and medical services, and other rehabilitative and safety components are delivered in a coordinated and effective manner
• Establish and maintain an effective system of control with all staff, provider agencies, and associated stakeholders to ensure accurate and efficient communication
• Lead regular team meetings to ensure operations and services are being executed, including policy development and risk assessment
• Strengthen and foster the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) designed to reduce the number of pre-trial detention admissions and to shorten the length of stay for youths in custody
• Ensure that DYS’ programs meet the Department of Early Education and Care’s, the Department of Public Health’s, and the Department of Public Safety’s licensing requirements
• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of the facilities to ensure safe and secure physical plants; Participate in the development of capital improvement plans in conjunction with the agency’s Director of Capital Planning
• Confirm all programs, both state and provider-operated, maintain adequate staffing levels at all times and adhere to all DYS policies pertaining to residential treatment
• Manage, monitor, and analyze a budget for program services, administrative, facility operations, and personnel; approve expenditures within prescribed allocation
• Provide staff appropriate training and information regarding all policy and practice changes
• Establish quality and efficiency standards in all areas of responsibility and ensure that these standards are measured and reviewed on an ongoing basis
• Foster support/development of direct reports through timely feedback and facilitate the ability of staff to achieve the highest level of professional growth, performance, and career advancement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and familiarity with DYS regulations and practice including care and custody of juvenile offenders and service provision systems
• Passion and commitment to establishing and developing evidence-based programming for committed youth
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of operations and project management including coordination, communication, prioritization, troubleshooting, adherence to budget and completion of goals
• Capacity to manage a diverse workforce, including a bargaining unit environment; ability to embrace diversity as a strategic advantage
• Ability to establish standards, program of valuation, performance management, quality improvement, and investigatory processes
• Critical thinking skills, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions,conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to lead, inspire and empower staff, demonstrating confidence and leadership presence
• Thoroughness, independence, and excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook

Transportation Requirement:Must have reliable transportation.

Minimum Age Requirement:21 years

About the Department Of Youth Services:

As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development. For more information please go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services .

Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes:

Drug Screening

Psychological Screening

Medical Examination

Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affluent Action Employer.Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role

Official Title : Program Manager VI

Primary Location

United States-Massachusetts-5 Brussels Street - Worcester

Job

Community and Social Services

Agency

Department of Youth Services

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Oct 16, 2026, 8:15:55 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

94,497.74 - 145,463.14 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affiantive Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Natasha Lugo/[e-mail] - 8572830119

Bargaining Unit : M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes