Youth Programs Assistant Director - Trauma-Informed Care

Gandara Mental Health Center, Inc.; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life保险

Paid vacations

Paid holidays

8 discretionary days

Mileage Reimbursement

Job summary

Gándara Mental Health Center in Springfield, MA, seeks an Assistant Director to oversee the Male Pre-Independent Living Program and ensure trauma-informed, youth-centered service delivery in line with DYS rules and contracts.

You will supervise plan implementation, monitor progress toward educational and independent living goals, and coordinate admissions, transitions, and advocacy. Requires Bachelor’s with supervisory experience; Master’s preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, or related field required; Master's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Director in overseeing the daily operation of the Male Pre-Independent Living Program.
• Ensure the delivery of trauma-informed, youth-centered services consistent with DYS regulations and contractual requirements.
• Supervise the implementation of individualized service and transition plans.
• Monitor youth progress toward educational, employment, behavioral health, and independent living goals.
• Ensure youth receive comprehensive independent living skills instruction, including budgeting, financial literacy, meal planning, cooking, transportation, employment readiness, and housing preparation.
• Oversee the implementation of Positive Youth Development (PYD), Enhanced Advocacy, and trauma-responsive programming.
• Support implementation of the DYS-approved Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) model, including daily reinforcement of DBT skills and utilization of Diary Cards.
• Ensure youth are assigned advocates and participate in regular advocacy meetings.
• Promote positive youth development through the integration of the DYS Core Values and Positive Behavior Incentive Program.
• Assist in coordinating admissions, orientations, room assignments, and successful youth transitions into and out of the program.
• Provide supervisory response during behavioral crises, emergencies, and critical incidents.
• Participate in the administrative on-call rotation and provide after-hours consultation as assigned.
• Ensure staff consistently utilize non-coercive interventions, trauma-responsive practices, and de-escalation techniques.
• Notify the Program Director immediately of serious incidents, PREA allegations, abuse or neglect concerns, AWOL incidents, safety issues, and any event requiring administrative notification.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Trauma-informed care

Youth services

DBT knowledge

Program oversight

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services/related field

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

Gándara Mental Health Center in Springfield, MA, seeks an Assistant Director to oversee the Male Pre-Independent Living Program and ensure trauma-informed, youth-centered service delivery in line with DYS rules and contracts.

You will supervise plan implementation, monitor progress toward educational and independent living goals, and coordinate admissions, transitions, and advocacy. Requires Bachelor’s with supervisory experience; Master’s preferred.