Director of Walden School

The Learning Center for the Deaf Inc • Framingham, MA

21d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Learning Center for the Deaf is a nationally-recognized leader of services for deaf and hard of hearing children, adults and families. To learn more, click the following link, https://www.tlcdeaf.org/about/pioneer-and-innovator. For our Mission, click the following link, https://www.tlcdeaf.org/our-mission-and-values. TLC Diversity Statement: The Learning Center for the Deaf is on a journey to create an inclusive and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates our TLC community members' diverse narratives. We embrace and value multiple approaches, experiences, and perspectives. TLC believes that diversity fosters innovation. We are committed to cultivating a place where everyone can feel they belong. About Walden School: Walden School is a nationally-recognized residential therapeutic and education program for deaf children and youth ages 6 to 22 who have often experienced significant adverse childhood events as well as language deprivation. Walden School utilizes a trauma-informed approach to serve students with behavioral health challenges, and have treatment needs that have not been successfully addressed in other academic and residential settings. Working with a team of staff that are proficient in American Sign Language (over 75% of whom are Deaf), Walden students receive highly individualized, trauma-informed care and therapy in a structured, supportive, home-like setting. Students attend classes during the day with a curriculum modified to each individual's need, and have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and athletics on campus with their Marie Philip student peers. POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Walden School is responsible for overseeing all departments and aspects of Walden School administration, ensuring quality educational, therapeutic, and recreational programming; recruitment; policy compliance; safety; efficiency; communication; staff relations; financial objectives; program development; and strategic planning.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in human services, business administration, or related field
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience is required
• Have heart, passion, and a strong core belief in the success of Deaf children
• A minimum of conversational fluency in American Sign Language required, with native, or near-native ASL fluency preferred
• ASL Classes may be required based on ASL fluency

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a human services professional working with deaf children or adolescents with emotional/behavioral challenges is preferred

Responsibilities

• Ensure high-quality therapeutic programming that reflects a child-centered, strength-based focus and a trauma-informed care approach to treatment.
• Maintain a welcoming environment for all youth and their families/caregivers, ensuring they are involved and engaged in their child’s treatment, and act in an advisory capacity to program development.
• Ensure equity and inclusion are at the center of all programming.
• Ensure that Walden School is a place of healing, learning, creative experience, and expression, inclusive of all students and staff; a place where they can learn, grow, belong, and have fun.
• Focus on program growth by establishing and implementing a plan to keep schools and agencies serving children who may need Walden School services informed about program development and current or anticipated openings.
• Ensure the completion of the necessary documentation to obtain and retain accreditations and licenses, within MA and other states.
• Develop short- and long-range goals with the Walden leadership team to ensure quality programming.
• Ensure ongoing communication with parents and guardians to obtain their input on their child's needs, keep them informed of services and progress, and create an environment where families and caregivers feel welcome and part of their child’s life.
• Pursue options for the development of services as alternatives, or in addition to, residential treatment for the population served.
• Work collaboratively, and in the spirit of advocacy, with state agencies to improve the quality of services for the population served.
• Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the program.
• Develop and oversee an annual program budget, to be managed monthly and reviewed quarterly for adjustments.
• Work with the Walden School leadership team to develop, keep current, and revise policies and procedures.
• Lead the interviewing and hiring process for all Walden School leadership positions. Oversee and approve all hiring for direct care positions.
• Ensure that the program meets the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, any out-of-state agencies, and all other relevant agencies as may be required; maintain licenses and contracts with these agencies.
• Recruit new students to Walden School and participate actively in the nationwide education and marketing of Walden School.
• Model collaborative leadership.
• Provide direct supervision and support to the Walden School leadership team as a leader who inspires excellence and compassion.
• Ensure that quality educational, therapeutic, and residential services are provided in a manner consistent with Walden School's mission and philosophy.
• Operate the day-to-day operations within budget parameters, including minimizing overtime and other controllable expenses.
• Maintain responsibility for creation, submission, and adherence to the Walden School Annual Budget.
• Communicate regularly the financial status of Walden School, and execute plans to administer corrective financial action as needed.

Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Employer-Matching 403(b), Generous Time Off Benefits, Flexible Spending and Dependent Care, and more!
• $1,500 Sign-on Bonus
• Housing Resources Available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director