Assistant Program Director | DYS-NEXT

Gandara Center•Springfield, MA

6h•Onsite

About The Position

Gandara is seeking an Assistant Program Director to oversee the daily operations of the Male Pre-Independent Living Program. This role ensures the delivery of trauma-informed, youth-centered services in compliance with DYS regulations and contractual requirements. The Assistant Program Director will supervise the implementation of individualized service and transition plans, monitor youth progress, and ensure youth receive comprehensive independent living skills instruction. This position also involves overseeing Positive Youth Development (PYD), Enhanced Advocacy, and trauma-responsive programming, supporting the implementation of the DBT model, and ensuring youth are assigned advocates. The role promotes positive youth development, assists in coordinating admissions and transitions, provides supervisory response during crises, and participates in the administrative on-call rotation. The Assistant Program Director is responsible for ensuring staff utilize non-coercive interventions and trauma-responsive practices, and for reporting serious incidents to the Program Director. Other duties may be assigned by the Program Director.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, or a related field required.
Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience working with adolescents in juvenile justice, residential care, behavioral health, or independent living programming.
Must obtain and maintain all required DYS, EEC, CORI, SORI, and agency background clearances.
Must possess a valid Massachusetts driver's license.
Must meet agency driving requirements.
Must successfully complete all required DYS and agency training, including crisis intervention, CPR/First Aid, PREA, DBT, trauma-responsive care, and mandatory annual trainings.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree preferred.
Minimum of two years of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
Experience working with justice-involved youth and trauma-affected populations preferred.
Knowledge of DYS policies, Positive Youth Development, trauma-responsive care, and evidence-based practices 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.