Program Director - Residential Services

The Bridge; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bridge invites applications for a Program Director to lead the Bridge Rockaway supportive housing program. The role oversees service delivery for 87 residents, ensuring person-centered case management, vocational services, and community resources while guiding staff and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The role emphasizes safe, welcoming operations, collaboration with stakeholders, and responsiveness to diverse resident needs. Strong leadership and crisis-management experience are essential.

Qualifications

• MSW or a master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in mental health, crisis intervention, and managing trauma-triggered behaviors.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills; ability to remain calm under stress; flexibility; strong teamwork skills; openness to feedback; creativity; and willingness to perform CPR, First Aid, AED, Crisis Intervention, and Naloxone-related duties.
• Experience supervising clinical and operational staff, with strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Spanish-speaking skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise the Assistant Program Director and other program staff; oversee admission, ongoing operations, and discharge from the program.
• Ensure preparedness for audits and reviews; complete monthly data collection to monitor census, attendance, incidents, and funder outcomes.
• Be available for 24-hour crisis intervention; attend meetings; work nights and/or weekends as needed.
• Manage personnel activities including hiring, scheduling, policies, staff meetings, and evaluations.
• Perform administrative duties: data entry, performance monitoring, petty cash, attendance.
• Coordinate building maintenance and liaison with property management to ensure compliance.
• Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions, and trainings.
• Work with residents, families, and staff with cultural sensitivity.
• Conduct inspections and provide escorts; assist with community mobility as needed.
• Report serious incidents to supervisors; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Time management

Team leadership

Cultural sensitivity

Education

MSW or related master’s degree

Tools

AWARDS

Job description

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.

Scope of Position:

The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operation of the supportive housing program at Bridge Rockaway. The Program Director will oversee the delivery of high-quality, person-centered services to 87 individuals who are disabled or frail and elderly, ensuring that residents have access to comprehensive case management, vocational services, community resources, and other supports that promote stability, independence, and quality of life. The Program Director will provide direct supervision and guidance to program staff, ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements, monitor program performance and outcomes, and collaborate with residents, families, property management, community partners, and other stakeholders to support effective program operations. The Program Director will also play a key role in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment while ensuring the program is responsive to the diverse needs of the individuals and families served.

Essential Position Functions

• Directly supervise the Assistant Program Director and other program staff. Supervise the delivery of services to clients, including admission to the program, ongoing operations, and discharge from the program.
• Ensure that the program is prepared for successful audits and reviews. Complete monthly data collection to monitor services and trends in census, attendance, incidents, and funder outcomes.
• Be available on call for 24-hour crisis intervention. Attend meetings as requested and be willing to work nights and/or weekends as needed.
• Manage personnel activities, including hiring, shift scheduling, developing policies and procedures, staff meetings, case conferences, staff training, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and labor/management issues.
• Perform all required administrative duties, including data entry, monitoring performance measures, managing petty cash, and monitoring staff attendance.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of building maintenance requirements and serve as a liaison with maintenance staff regarding repair needs. Ensure overall management of the facility, including repairs and purchasing.
• Serve as a liaison with the Property Management & Maintenance Department to ensure overall compliance.
• Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions, and trainings as required.
• Work with consumers/residents/tenants, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.
• Conduct apartment and building inspections on multiple floors, utilizing stairs. Provide escorts to clients throughout the community using public transportation and attend meetings and training off-site.
• Immediately report serious incidents, allegations of serious incidents, other incidents, or sensitive situations to supervisors.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

• MSW or a master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience working in mental health, crisis intervention, and managing trauma-triggered behaviors.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills; ability to remain calm under stress; flexibility; strong teamwork skills; openness to feedback; creativity; and willingness to perform CPR, First Aid, AED, Crisis Intervention, and Naloxone-related duties.
• Experience supervising clinical and operational staff, with strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Preferred knowledge of AWARDS.
• Spanish-speaking skills are a plus.

The Bridge Inc. is an Affluent Action / Equal Opportunity Employer