Statewide Program Director

Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 68,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Prescription

Dental

Vision

Short Term Disability

UNUM Supplemental Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Pet Insurance

Weekly Pay

Direct Deposit

Paid time off

Holiday Pay

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

Job summary

Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. seeks a Statewide Program Director to lead the NJ DCF Rapid Response for Children program. You will direct operations, manage staff, and ensure high-quality, wraparound services for youth and families across New Jersey.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, strength-based practices, regulatory compliance, and strong partnerships with schools and government agencies. Leadership, budgeting, and data analysis are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work or related field preferred
• 3+ years of progressively responsible leadership in human services
• Experience managing government-funded contracts or grants
• Experience with youth and families involved in child welfare or juvenile justice
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and wraparound service models
• Proficiency in data management and reporting tools

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversee program operations per wraparound model
• Direct intake, assessment, service planning, and discharge planning
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff
• Ensure compliance with contractual, licensing, and regulatory requirements
• Monitor program performance and use data-driven decisions
• Assist with budgeting, expenditures, and staffing insights
• Build partnerships with referral sources and community stakeholders
• Represent YAP professionally in the community

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Data analysis

Wraparound model

Trauma-informed care

Microsoft Office

EHR experience

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

Bachelor's degree with commensurate experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Database management systems

Electronic Health Record (EHR) system

Job description

Status: Full-Time Salary

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary: $68,000-$71, 000

Summary of the Position: Statewide Program Director is responsible for the overall administration, performance, and strategic direction of the NJ DCF Rapid Response for Children Program. This includes ensuring high-quality participant services, supervising, and developing staff, managing fiscal resources, maintaining compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements, and building strong partnerships with referral sources and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a mission-driven leader with experience managing community-based programs, developing high-performing teams, utilizing data to drive outcomes, and cultivating relationships that strengthen services for youth and families.

Statewide Program Director Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of program operations, ensuring high-quality, participant-centered services consistent with YAP's strength-based, wraparound model.
• Direct participant service delivery, including intake, assessment, service planning, case review, crisis intervention, and discharge planning to support positive outcomes for youth and families.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, licensing, regulatory, and organizational requirements through effective quality assurance, documentation oversight, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Monitor program performance, utilize data-driven decision making, and implement strategies to enhance service effectiveness and operational excellence.
• Support fiscal management by assisting with budgeting, monitoring expenditures and staffing patterns, and identifying opportunities for program growth and sustainability.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with referral sources, community organizations, schools, government agencies, and other stakeholders to strengthen services and community impact.
• Represent YAP professionally in the community and collaborate with internal and external partners to advance program goals and organizational initiatives.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field is preferred (or equivalent combination of education and experience, where applicable)
• Bachelor's degree with commensurate experience may be considered
• 3 or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in human services, child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, or community-based programming
• Experience managing government-funded contracts or grant-funded programs.
• Experience working with youth and families involved in child welfare, juvenile justice, family preservation, and reunification services.
• Experience managing program budgets and performance outcomes.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, strength-based practice, and wraparound service models.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database management systems, including the ability to analyze data, generate reports, and maintain accurate program records.
• Experience using an electronic health record system is preferred.
• Position requires reliable transportation, valid driver's license, and current auto insurance coverage.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are preferred.

Benefits Available

• Medical/Prescription
• Dental
• Vision
• Short Term Disability
• UNUM Supplemental Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• Weekly Pay
• Direct Deposit
• Paid time off.
• Holiday Pay
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual merit, skills, and qualifications, without regard to race, age, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, military or veteran status, or disability or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where YAP operates. YAP will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.