Job Description
Position Summary: The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, supervision, operation, and therapeutic oversight of the Gettysburg residential program serving children ages 5–12. This position ensures the home operates in compliance with all applicable Pennsylvania regulations, agency policies, trauma-informed practices, and licensing standards while maintaining a safe, structured, nurturing, and healing environment for children with behavioral and emotional challenges. The Program Director provides direct leadership to staff, oversees daily programming and resident care, ensures appropriate behavioral interventions are implemented consistently, and works collaboratively with families, county agencies, schools, therapists, and treatment teams to support positive outcomes for each child. This position requires a strong leader who is organized, emotionally mature, solution-focused, and capable of managing crisis situations while maintaining professionalism, compassion, and accountability. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Program Oversight & Leadership: *Provide daily operational oversight of the residential program. *Ensure the safety, supervision, structure, and emotional well-being of all residents. *Maintain a therapeutic and trauma-informed environment conducive to healing and growth. *Supervise, support, coach, and evaluate direct care staff and team leads. *Ensure adequate staffing coverage and assist with scheduling as needed. *Respond appropriately to crises, behavioral escalations, emergencies, and incidents. *Ensure staff follow behavior support plans, safety plans, and individualized treatment goals consistently. *Promote professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and positive staff culture. Resident Care & Behavioral Support: *Oversee implementation of individualized treatment and behavior support plans. *Ensure therapeutic interventions and de-escalation techniques are used appropriately. *Monitor resident progress, behaviors, emotional functioning, and overall adjustment within the program. *Assist in developing strategies to reduce aggression, property destruction, elopement, self-harm behaviors, and other high-risk behaviors. *Ensure children are treated with dignity, respect, patience, and consistency at all times. *Participate in treatment team meetings, ISPs, school meetings, and county meetings as required. Compliance & Documentation: *Ensure compliance with all Pennsylvania Chapter 3800 regulations, licensing requirements, OCYF standards, and agency policies. *Review incident reports, documentation, logs, medication records, and shift communication for accuracy and timeliness. *Ensure all required documentation is completed appropriately and submitted within required timeframes. *Maintain organized records and support successful inspections, audits, and licensing reviews. *Monitor staff training compliance and ensure certifications remain current. Collaboration & Communication: *Maintain professional communication with county agencies, schools, therapists, guardians, caseworkers, and outside providers. *Serve as a liaison between administration, staff, and external partners. *Participate in leadership meetings and provide updates regarding resident care, staffing, incidents, and program needs. *Communicate concerns, trends, and recommendations to executive leadership promptly. Staff Development & Supervision: *Provide orientation, coaching, mentoring, and ongoing support to staff. *Conduct regular supervision meetings and performance evaluations. *Address staff performance concerns promptly and professionally. *Assist in creating a culture of accountability, consistency, professionalism, and therapeutic care. *Help train staff in behavior management, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and child development. Qualifications: Education: *Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Behavioral Health, or another related field required. Experience: *Minimum of two (2) years experience working with children with behavioral, emotional, or mental health needs preferred. *Previous supervisory or leadership experience in residential treatment, behavioral health, child welfare, or human services strongly preferred. *Experience working with trauma, crisis intervention, behavioral management, and therapeutic programming preferred. Required Skills & Abilities: *Strong leadership and decisi