Address
Form of workThe Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a dynamic, positive, and service-minded individual to fill the role of Program Director at the Westfield Revocation Unit located at 51 E. Mountain Rd, Westfield, MA 01085
Schedule
Shift: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday- 8:45 am- 5:00 pm
Tuesday- 1:00pm- 9:00pm
Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
The Program Director will be responsible for overseeing the front-line care and custody for some of the most at-risk youth in the Commonwealth. The selected candidate is the primary custodian of a Department of Youth Services locked secure detention program. In this role, the incumbent will ensure that juvenile offenders receive the necessary and appropriate level of care while offering creative and engaging programming that encourages and develops positive change in the youth in their care.
The Program Director will be responsible for all aspects of the safe and secure operation of a secure detention facility for pre-adjudicated adolescent males. This will be accomplished through the creation of a culture of mutual respect and support with a heavy focus on integrating the tenets of positive youth development along with programming to enhance family and community engagement.
Please Note:
The Program Director will be required to work a flexible schedule, which will include working one weekday evening and some weekend coverage.
The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is the juvenile justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Department's mission is to protect the public and prevent crime by promoting positive change in the lives of youth committed to DYS care and custody, and by partnering with communities, families, public, and provider agencies toward this end. The Department accomplishes its mission through interventions that build knowledge, develop skills, and promote positive change in the behavior of the youth in DYS care and custody. The primary goal of these interventions is to reintegrate youth back to the community as productive citizens.
DYS works in partnership with provider agencies, law enforcement and school officials, families, communities, and others to ensure that the services provided are effective and that they create pathways to success for the young men and women in DYS care and custody. By working in close collaboration with these entities, DYS can continue to help make communities better and safer places.
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):
Oversee the operation of the program to ensure a high quality of care and oversight of the population and ensure that all DYS policies and procedures are adhered to.
Conduct security audits and checks; ensure adequate controls for contraband; respond to programmatic issues and emergencies, conduct investigations when necessary
Direct, assign and supervise the work of direct care professionals in the unit, ensure adequate staff to client ratios that conform to Early Education and Childcare regulations; confirm and approve time in SSTA for subordinate staff; prepare work schedules; manage the use of overtime; ensure staff members are certified annually in Restraint Techniques, Suicide Prevention First Aid, CPR and PREA; supervise personnel in the reporting structure.
Prepare written materials including but not limited to monthly reports, Internal and Internal investigative reports, serious incident reports, and emergency/contingency plans.
Manage the process of the Performance-based Standards project (an online database that compares MA DYS to other states), and update and revise program procedures.
Provide oversight of Emergency Preparedness training and drills and PREA audit compliance; provide written response post-audit/on-site visit to inquiries from DYS monitors to ensure DPH compliance.
Work as a member of the program's team of senior staff in developing program goals and objectives.
Maintain the safety, security, and order of a locked secure treatment program with an emphasis on the safety and security of staff, clients, and visitors.
Develops community involvement to provide enrichment opportunities for youth and to foster community relations.
Establish effective communication systems and working relationships with Regional Managers, Clinicians, Caseworker staff, families, outside agencies, and volunteers.
Ensure effective communication within the program by organizing and acting as chair of regular staff meetings; create a regular structure for daily shift change, bi-weekly community meetings, weekly administrative meetings, monthly supervisors meetings, monthly all-staff meetings, and shift meetings as needed.
Create opportunities for program improvements and to exploit successes; Conduct program analysis to determine budgetary, training, and physical resource needs; Recommend program revisions based on analysis and evaluation.
Required Qualifications:
Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills as well as clinical and organizational skills in a field directly related to the functions of the Department of Youth Services.
Demonstrated understanding of clinical concepts and practice along with experience working in settings with clinical services.
Knowledge of the DYS continuum of care and the goals and objectives of DYS.
Knowledge of the Principles of Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (J.D.A.I.).
Ability to supervise and integrate employees and programming from a variety of disciplines.
Knowledge of and the ability to work with other areas of the criminal justice field.
Considerable knowledge of State laws pertaining to juvenile laws and juvenile rights including experience in juvenile/adult corrections.
Ability to allocate resources within a set budget.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing juvenile justice as well as the professional standards of assigned unit activities.
Knowledge of the types and availability of public and private organizations providing services to juveniles.
Familiarity with the types and application of emergency medical procedures such as basic first aid, and CPR.
Trained in Restraints and crisis intervention.
Experience in DYS programming, population data, and Internal operations including DYS data management system (including JJEMS).
Special Requirements:
- Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years
- Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Must be able to perform the physical requirement of the job (i.e., Ability to properly restrain or subdue youth through the appropriate use of handcuffs or other restraint techniques) if necessary.
- Able to talk and/or hear, stand, walk, run, kneel, and climb stairs, as well as lift, carry, push, or pull up to 55 pounds with or without assistance and with or without the use of devices and/or equipment to assist in the lifting effort.
- Based on the assignment, incumbents may be required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to the assignment.
- Upon hire, incumbents must complete and maintain a valid certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated Internal Defibrillator (AED) and first aid.
Working Conditions:
Incumbents may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments.
- Incumbents may be required to physically restrain youth.
- Incumbents typically work a standard work week (five 8-hour shifts); however, may be required to work extended hours, nights, holidays, or weekends.
- Incumbents may be required to travel in-state and based on assignment may be required to travel out-of-state.
About the Department of Youth Services:
As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development. For more information, please go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services.
Pre-Hire Process:
Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes: 1) Drug Screening; 2) Psychological Screening; 3) Medical Examination; and 4) Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for direct care positions. If you would like more information, please logon to the DYS website www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, financial management, or professional experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical), and (B) of which three years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in business administration, business management, public administration, financial management, or degree related directly to the specialty may be substituted for one year of the required (A) experience. II. A Graduate or higher degree with a major in business administration, business management, public administration, financial management, or degree related directly to the specialty may be substituted for two years of the required (A) experience.
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.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
