Program Director | DYS | Pre Independent Living

Gandara Center; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life

Paid vacations

Paid holidays

8 discretionary days

Mileage Reimbursement

Job summary

Gandara Center in Springfield, MA seeks a Program Director for the DYS Pre Independent Living program. This full-time, on-site leadership role oversees youth services, admissions, service planning, and transition to independence in a trauma-informed, residential setting.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's (Master's preferred) and at least five years in juvenile justice or residential care with supervisory experience. Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged. Competitive benefits included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in juvenile justice, residential care, independent living programming, behavioral health, or human services.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience with justice-involved adolescents or young adults preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or bicultural applicants encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Ensure program services meet DYS regulations, agency policies, and licensing standards.
• Maintain a safe, structured, trauma-informed residential environment.
• Oversee admissions, orientation, occupancy agreements, service planning, and transitions.
• Coordinate housing stability, education, employment, behavioral health, and independent living skills.
• Monitor youth progress through case reviews and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Promote youth development and positive engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Organizational skills

Verbal and written communication

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Community partnerships

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Public Administration, Education, or related field

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

Program Director | DYS | Pre Independent Living

Job Category: Operations-Adolescent & Family Services

Requisition Number: PROGR003335

• Posted : August 6, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

NEXT 1416 Page Blvd Springfield, MA 01104, USA

NEXT 1416 Page Blvd Springfield, MA 01104, USA

• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Salary | $75,000

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Youth Services Responsibilities

• To ensure all program services are delivered in accordance with DYS regulations, agency policies, and licensing standards.
• To maintain a safe, structured, therapeutic, and trauma-informed residential environment.
• To oversee admissions, Day One orientation, occupancy agreements, individualized service planning, and successful transitions into the program.
• To ensure youth receive comprehensive services related to housing stability, education, employment, behavioral health, financial literacy, transportation, and independent living skill development.
• To monitor youth progress through regular case reviews, service plan updates, and multidisciplinary team meetings.
• To ensure youth actively participate in individualized life skills programming including:
• a) Budgeting and money management
• b) Meal planning and food preparation
• c) Grocery shopping and nutrition
• d) Employment readiness
• f) Community resource utilization
• g) Household management
• To establish and maintain collaborative relationships with DYS representatives, schools, employers, healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, landlords, and community organizations.
• To oversee crisis intervention, emergency response, and after-hours program operations.
• To ensure staff utilize trauma-informed, strength-based, and non-coercive interventions.
• To promote positive youth development, youth engagement, and individualized goal achievement.
• To notify Executive Leadership immediately regarding serious incidents, abuse allegations, PREA concerns, youth safety issues, suspected illegal activity, or situations affecting program operations.
• To perform other duties as assigned by Agency Leadership.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
• Comprehensive knowledge of adolescent development, juvenile justice, trauma-informed care, positive youth development, and independent living programming.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts Department of Youth Services regulations and contractual requirements.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively manage residential operations and multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships with DYS, community agencies, schools, employers, landlords, and healthcare providers.
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to analyze program performance and implement quality improvement initiatives.
• Ability to effectively manage crises and emergency situations.
• Ability to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Public Administration, Education, or a related field required; Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in juvenile justice, residential care, independent living programming, behavioral health, or human services.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience working with justice-involved adolescents or young adults preferred.
• Experience managing residential or transitional living programs preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of DYS policies, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and independent living programming.
• Must obtain and maintain all required background clearances, including EEC and DYS suitability requirements.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must meet agency driving standards.
• Must complete and maintain all required DYS and agency training certifications.
• Those who are Bilingual (English + Spanish) or Bicultural are encouraged to apply.

The Gándara Mental Health Centerprovides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training

Qualifications

Skills

Behaviors

Motivations

Education

Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.