Program Director, The Ridge Maine RTC

The Ridge RTC•Morrill, ME

8d•$85,000 - $105,000

About The Position

The Ridge Program Director is an assertive, compassionate, detail-oriented leader responsible for overseeing both client care and the administrative and operational functions of a sub-acute residential treatment program. This role works in close collaboration with Operations, Clinical and Medical leadership to ensure the delivery of safe high-quality care. The Program Director supervises Program Managers and direct care (Clinical Assistant) staff, ensuring a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment that promotes client growth and advances treatment goals within a sub-acute level of care.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Healthcare Administration, or a related field (required).
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a residential or therapeutic setting, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
Experience working within a sub-acute or similar level of care strongly preferred.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to foster a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and excellence.
Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and ability to prioritize tasks effectively across a dynamic residential setting.
Demonstrated strength in crisis management and conflict resolution.
Physical ability to navigate rugged outdoor terrain and multiple floors, and to work safely around animals.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and on-call hours as needed.

Nice To Haves

Licensure as an LCPC or LCSW a plus.
CPR, First Aid, and crisis prevention/intervention certification.
Valid driver’s license.
Experience in program development, staff training, and residential operations within a sub-acute or step-down level of care.

Responsibilities

Ensure all supervision and safety protocols are consistently followed, including head counts, staff positioning, safety watch requirements, and clear communication of clinical and safety concerns appropriate to a sub-acute residential setting.
Oversee programming to ensure alignment with each client’s individualized treatment plan, with a focus on safety, social skills development, life skills, and application of skills in the milieu.
Collaborate with the Clinical Director, Program Managers, and Clinical Assistants to develop engaging programming that supports social skills, emotional regulation, and physical well-being.
Maintain a structured daily schedule that effectively balances groups, therapy, recreation, and structured free time to promote client stability and step-down readiness.
Supervise experiential and recreational programming, including outdoor activities, arts, sports, and team-building initiatives.
Ensure all teams are prepared to support new client admissions and transitions into the sub-acute residential program.
Provide direct supervision and leadership to the Program Manager team within the sub-acute program.
Lead groups as assigned and ensure timely and accurate completion of group documentation.
Ensure Clinical Assistants complete all required daily documentation, including progress notes, rounds, and incident reports.
Develop and oversee routines focused on life skills, peer relationships, and conflict resolution appropriate to a sub-acute population.
Support direct care staff in implementing behavior management strategies and maintaining a structured and therapeutic environment.
Conduct regular supervision, performance evaluations, and professional development for Program Managers and, as needed, Clinical Assistants.
Partner with the Director of Operations to ensure appropriate staffing levels to meet the needs of a sub-acute residential population.
Support onboarding, training, and ongoing coaching of staff, including real-time feedback and on-the-floor leadership.
Foster a culture of accountability, growth, and trauma-informed care, ensuring staff are trained in behavior management and crisis intervention.
Oversee and coordinate responses to client crises, ensuring appropriate resource allocation, adherence to program protocols, and effective use of de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies.
Provide direct support during crises as needed and ensure incident command procedures are followed.
Train and support staff in effective crisis response and prevention strategies tailored to a sub-acute level of care.
Ensure timely, accurate documentation of incidents and lead regular reviews and debriefs to identify trends, improve care, and reduce risk.
Maintain strong collaboration with the Clinical Director to ensure programming aligns with therapeutic goals and level-of-care expectations.
Partner with nursing staff to ensure programming accommodates medical needs and restrictions within a sub-acute framework.
Coordinate with Operations to ensure facilities, staffing, materials, and resources adequately support program needs.
Serve as a point of contact for families regarding non-clinical programming and the residential experience as needed.
Build and maintain relationships with community partners to enhance programming and support safety, including law enforcement, town resources, EMS, emergency departments, and crisis response teams, etc.
Ensure all programming and operations comply with state and federal regulations for adolescent sub-acute residential treatment facilities.
Maintain current knowledge of licensing and accreditation standards relevant to sub-acute care.
Conduct regular audits of programming, documentation, and operations to ensure compliance and proactively address any gaps.