Program Director

Socket.dev; Middleton (MA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid time off

Holiday Pay

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

RFK Community Alliance's Kennedy School in Middleton, MA seeks a Program Director to provide leadership over daily operations and staff performance, ensuring safe, high-quality adolescent services and compliance with DYS requirements.

You will lead an interdisciplinary team in trauma-informed and CBT programming, coordinate student services, and represent the program with families and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of residential treatment experience.
• Minimum 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Experience working in a juvenile justice setting.
• Knowledge of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) system.
• Ability to complete and maintain all required agency and DYS training and certifications.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and crisis-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations, staffing, service delivery, and compliance with policies and licensing standards.
• Supervise the Assistant Program Director and program staff; support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Provide leadership in Trauma-Informed Care and cognitive-behavioral programming for students.
• Promote safety and crisis response; serve as restraint coordinator and document incidents promptly.
• Monitor program quality through reviews, site visits, and regulatory oversight; pursue improvements.
• Collaborate with DYS, families, providers, funding sources, and community partners.
• Manage the program budget, approve payroll, and handle administrative tasks accurately.
• Support the agency's strategic plan and participate in relevant meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Crisis management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Program Director

Salary Range: $64,120 - $70,120

Position Summary

The Program Director provides overall leadership and oversight of the program, ensuring high-quality services, a safe and supportive environment, and compliance with agency and Department of Youth Services (DYS) requirements. This position leads an interdisciplinary team, oversees daily operations and staff performance, supports student treatment and services, and represents the program with internal and external stakeholders.

The Kennedy School

The Kennedy School is a secure facility in Middleton, MA offering assessment and treatment for adolescent males involved in the juvenile justice system. Serving youth ages 13 to 21, the program helps residents address behavioral issues that led to their offenses and develop healthier decision-making skills. Youth participate in school, counseling, and structured activities that promote accountability, responsibility, and self-reliance, along with recreational programs that encourage positive social interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Oversee daily operations, staffing, service delivery, and compliance with agency policies, DYS requirements, contracts, and licensing standards.
• Staff Leadership & Development: Supervise the Assistant Program Director and program staff; support hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, professional development, and required certifications.
• Student Services & Treatment: Provide leadership in Trauma-Informed Care and cognitive-behavioral programming. Ensure student services are coordinated, documented, and responsive to individual needs.
• Safety & Crisis Management: Promote a safe environment and effective crisis response. Provide de-escalation support when needed, serve as restraint coordinator, and ensure all incident and post-restraint documentation is completed accurately and timely.
• Quality & Compliance: Monitor program quality through reviews, site visits, camera and record reviews, and regulatory oversight. Identify and implement opportunities for improvement.
• Collaboration: Build effective relationships with DYS, families, providers, funding sources, community partners, and other stakeholders. Represent the agency professionally in meetings and other external settings.
• Financial & Administrative Management: Manage the program budget, approve payroll, oversee petty cash and student allowances, and ensure administrative responsibilities are completed accurately and on time.
• Organizational Leadership: Support the agency's strategic plan and participate in staff, supervisory, clinical, team, and committee meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of residential treatment experience.
• Minimum 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Experience working in a juvenile justice setting.
• Knowledge of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) system.
• Ability to complete and maintain all required agency and DYS training and certifications.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and crisis-management skills.

Who We Are

RFK Community Alliance provides high-quality care and support to people and families facing complicated challenges. As a multi-service agency, we offer a wide range of programs serving a variety of needs across all ages, from infants to seniors. We are team players when it comes to caring. We work with the people we serve, their families, schools, and other community partners to develop a network of support. We provide opportunities to build skills and confidence. We nurture strength, determination, and resilience.

How We Promote Equity, Cultivate Leaders, and Grow Together

At RFK Community Alliance, we're dedicated to a culture where everyone can show up to work as their full authentic selves. Diversity and inclusion doesn't happen by accident, it's by design. Together we are the designers. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes our organization stronger. We care about including diverse perspectives and experiences throughout every level. Which is why we're committed to honoring, celebrating, and fostering diversity and inclusion on our team, in our clientele and within our community. Our team must reflect our community and vice versa. We value, respect, and support all types of diversity across all identities including, but not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender, LGBTQIA, age religion and abilities. We take responsibility for the community we're creating here at RFK Community Alliance, and we're here to contribute to the progression of our society to a more inclusive and equitable one.

Why You'll Love Us

In addition to being a part of a supportive team, we offer amazing employee benefits, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Generous paid time off
• Holiday Pay
• Educational Assistance
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan with generous employer match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program

RFKCA offers a compassionate, inclusive company culture and excellent work environment. RFKCA is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability. EOE/AA