Director, Therapeutic After School Program (TASP) - Temporary

Walker•Watertown, MA

12d

About The Position

The Director of Walker’s Therapeutic After School Program (TASP) oversees a therapeutic after-school program serving up to eight youth enrolled with the Department of Mental Health. The program provides therapeutic, educational, and recreational programming to support young people’s social-emotional development and skill-building. The Director leads a multidisciplinary clinical and milieu team and is responsible for staffing, scheduling, program implementation, crisis and backup systems, communications with families and partner organizations, transportation coordination, and clinical services as appropriate. The Director establishes a safe, structured, and welcoming therapeutic milieu that encourages youth and family engagement. The role supports staff in implementing existing and new agency-wide or program-specific programming, including trauma-informed care, CBT, and wellness efforts. The Director coordinates with schools, families, DMH, and other providers, monitors and reports outcomes, completes administrative responsibilities, and participates in supervision, staff meetings, training, and professional development. The position is temporary and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Three to five years of previous experience working in a similar setting required.
Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and reliable transportation, including the ability to travel to community-based meetings and transport clients and families to program-related activities.
Proof of auto insurance meeting the organization’s minimum coverage requirements.
Ability to access community locations and regularly attend meetings and trainings at Walker’s Needham location.
Ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple projects, and respond to and follow through on requests professionally.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and computer experience.
Ability to sit at a workstation for prolonged periods, consistent with OSHA requirements.
Ability to perform the required functions of the Medication Administration Program (MAP) and obtain and maintain MAP certification; certification must be completed within 90 days of the start date if not already held.
Ability to perform the required functions of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and pass and maintain TCI certification.
Ability to pass and maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
Physical stamina to participate in activities with children; ability to stand, walk, and run for extended periods, and to bend, stoop, stretch, lift up to 10 pounds, sit, use stairs, type, and look at a computer screen.
Successfully complete background check suitability requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Independent licensure as an LICSW, LMHC, or LMFT, with the ability to supervise clinical staff toward licensure.
Five or more years of previous experience working in a similar setting.
Bilingual capabilities.

Responsibilities

Lead a multidisciplinary team of clinical and milieu staff to support the social-emotional, behavioral, and educational development of enrolled youth.
Recruit, hire, supervise, and manage program staff, including the TASP Clinician, Direct Care Counselors, and Clinical Interns.
Manage program scheduling and ensure staff coverage for vacancies, vacations, absences, school vacations, and summer break; anticipate scheduling issues and plan for events such as snow days.
Provide a structured therapeutic milieu that is safe and welcoming and promotes youth and family engagement in activities and groups.
Support the Clinician and Milieu Specialists in implementing current and new agency-wide or program-specific programming, including trauma-informed care, CBT, and wellness efforts.
Establish crisis intervention and backup systems.
Communicate regularly with supervisees, families, schools, DMH, and other providers.
Coordinate transportation to and from the program, liaising with schools, families, and cab companies; transport youth in program vans as needed.
Provide clinical services to youth and families, as appropriate.
Provide clinical consultation to families, TASP staff, schools, and other providers to support progress toward identified goals.
Ensure the collection, review, analysis, and reporting of outcome data for youth and families served.
Complete administrative functions, including attending required meetings, preparing assigned oral and written reports, and participating in supervision and professional development.
Attend weekly supervision, staff meetings, and trainings.
Follow and implement Walker policies and procedures.
Provide new employee and ongoing staff training on relevant topics, including trauma-informed care, behavior management, client- and family-centered practice, clinical needs of youth served, cultural humility and sensitivity, professionalism, MAP, TCI, milieu management, and First Aid/CPR.
Perform additional duties as assigned.