The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to manage the day-to-day residential operations of 24/7 facilities for the Western Region. The Director will provide effective oversight in the delivery of residential treatment services to youth who have been committed to the care and custody of DYS.

The Director will possess a positive track record in daily management to ensure that DYS delivers high-quality intervention across its entire residential continuum (overnight arrest, alternatives to detention, detention, treatment), in hardware secure, staff secure, group care, and community residential settings. Our ideal candidate will champion the foundation and experience in working effectively with and through others, budgeting and fiscal management, collaboration, problem solving, listening, decision making, crisis management, public relations skills, policy and regulatory compliance, personnel forecasting, developing efficient systems/processes, and promoting and establishing strong internal/external relationships.

For additional information about the Department of Youth Services and its programs please watch: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gyP0kCJ181nBakh9Cc0pNNEyPw7kAoI6/view

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide effective oversight, administration and operational direction for 24/7 youth facilities; ensure clinical, educational, and medical services, other rehabilitative and safety components are delivered in a coordinated and effective manner
• Establish and maintain an effective system of control with all staff, provider agencies, and associated stakeholders to ensure accurate and efficient communication
• Lead regular team meetings to ensure operations and services are being executed including policy development and risk assessment
• Strengthen and foster the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) designed to reduce the number of pre-trial detention admissions and to shorten the length of stay for youths in custody
• Ensure that DYS' programs meet the Department of Early Education and Care's, the Department of Public Health's and the Department of Public Safety's licensing requirements
• Oversee the maintenance, repair and upkeep of the facilities to ensure safe and secure physical plants; Participate in the development of capital improvement plans in conjunction with the agency's Director of Capital Planning
• Confirm all programs, both state and provider operated, maintain adequate staffing levels at all times and adhere to all DYS policies pertaining to residential treatment
• Manage, monitor and analyze a budget for program services, administrative, facility operations and personnel; approve expenditures within prescribed allocation
• Provide staff appropriate training and information regarding all policy and practice changes
• Establish quality and efficiency standards in all areas of responsibility and ensure that these standards are measured and reviewed on an ongoing basis
• Foster support/development of direct reports through timely feedback and facilitate the ability of staff to achieve highest level of professional growth, performance and career advancement

Preferred Qualifications :

• Knowledge and familiarity with DYS regulations and practice including care and custody of juvenile offenders and service provision systems
• Passion and commitment to establishing and developing evidence-based programming for committed youth
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of operations and project management including coordination, communication, prioritization, troubleshooting, adherence to budget and completion of goals
• Capacity to manage a diverse workforce including bargaining unit environment; ability to embrace diversity as a strategic advantage
• Ability to establish standards, program of valuation, performance management, quality improvement, and investigatory processes
• Critical thinking skills, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to lead, inspire and empower staff demonstrating confidence and leadership presence
• Thoroughness, independence and excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook

Transportation Requirement: Must have reliable transportation.

Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years

Working Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Days Off: Saturday & Sunday (Must be flexible, may be required to work some evenings & Saturdays as well as on-call responsibilities).

Qualifications:
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation"): requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. If you decline to vaccinate you will be required to take mitigation measures mandated by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) that are consistent with guidance from the Department of Public Health. Failure to take those mitigation measures, including masking, could lead to discipline, up to and including termination.