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The Secure Detention Facility Director has overall administrative and programmatic management responsibilities for all aspects of the Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Facility, including, but not limited to: program management, planning, maintenance, staffing, budget, supervision, and training.

The Director will ensure that the program is administered in a manner consistent with the Agency’s mission, polices, goals and values. The Director will represent the Agency in the community and work closely with the Capital District Youth Center’s Advisory Committee

Job Responsibilities

• Ensure that the facility/program is operated in accordance and compliance with Agency, New York State Office of Children and Family Services and State Commissions of Corrections standards, codes, rules and regulations.
• Provide overall supervision of the facility.
• Ensure that the facility is properly maintained and needed repairs are completed in a timely manner.
• Monitors and supports in the development and administration of program budget and ensures programs and services meet/exceed utilization targets and expenses do not exceed budgetary limits.
• Adequately prepare for and productively participate in supervisory conferences, Capital District Youth Center Inc. (CDYCI), District, Regional, Departmental and Agency meetings.
• Inform immediate supervisor of the general state of the facility and, in particular, any unusual or problematic developments related to children, families, and/or the community on a regular basis.
• Represent the District, Region, Department or Agency in work groups and projects, as assigned.
• Continue the development and enhancement of the facility.
• Keep up-to-date on laws and regulations pertaining to Secure Detention. Participate in the Juvenile Justice Association of New York State.
• Meet the developmental and childcare needs of youth who are admitted or remanded to secure detention.
• Develop and implement and integrated plan of services that meets the academic, recreational, emotional, cultural, health and spiritual needs or the youth.
• Develop, institute and monitor safety standards and procedures in order to safeguard youth, families and staff.
• Ensure that youth and families are treated with respect and embraced as partners.
• Ensure that children are cared for in safe, structured, secure environment.
• Assist staff to provide a safe, secure, structured environment for youth.
• Recruit, hire and train staff in cooperation with the Agency’s Human Resources and Training Departments and adheres to agency guidelines.
• Ensure that all staff meet paperwork requirements legibly and in a timely manner.
• Ensure that all emergency “on-call” coverage, crisis intervention and/or consultation needs are met.
• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of staff schedules.
• Conduct staff meeting on a regular basis.
• Value and support a confident, well-trained competent staff.
• Represent and serve as a liaison within the community, regulatory agencies and executive board.
• Sustain appropriate community contacts for positive community relations and develop resources for the program, including volunteer resources.
• Assumes responsibility or assigns responsibility to a specific individual who is charged with monitoring progress and outcomes of each service contract.
• Implements contracts and monitors contractual obligations and compliance with contract requirements throughout the term of the contract.
• Initiates corrective action to assure that contract provisions are completed. Documents progress and outcomes of service contracts.
• Assures ongoing internal and external communication necessary to administer and complete the contract.
• Assumes responsibility to manage and reduce risk where it is seen in his or her area(s) of responsibility and to report it if it is outside of his or her area(s) of responsibility or assistance is needed to resolve the matter.
• Responsible to ensure health and safety risks are controlled or removed which includes working collaboratively with and overseeing medical, dental, and psychiatric contractors.
• Helps assure the treatment and clinical needs of youth are addressed.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Serves as the face of Berkshire while promoting the system of care for youth needing higher or lower services.
• Participates and initiates program development marketing efforts.
• Monitors environmental trends in order to meet and expand programming needs.
• Adheres to agency policies and procedures; promotes and supports agency mission, vision and values including participating in internal surveys and data collection for continuous improvement initiatives
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external departments and/or stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills including ability to manage 24x7 operations.
• Manage and implement change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Significantly demonstrated project management skills.
• Decision making, organizational and communication skills including attention to detail, oral and written communication skills, and listening and training skills.
• Time management and strategic thinking skills.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state regulations pertaining to operation of programs offered. Must keep current and up-to-date on required paperwork and documentation.
• Demonstrated computer literacy including but not limited to MS Office suite and other database systems.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with extreme discretion, demonstrated knowledge of HIPAA regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and implement change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Possess excellent management and mentoring skills.
• Outstanding communicator with the ability to resolve conflicts and issues.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services required

• Master’s Degree in Human Services, Public Administration, or related fields preferred.

• Demonstrated eight plus years’ experience working with youth and families.

• Proven four plus years’ experience in a managerial/supervisory role preferred.

• Knowledge of detention and juvenile justice system strongly preferred.

• Excellent writing, team building and communication skills required.

• Valid driver’s license per agency guidelines.

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends as needed.

• Ability to work with economically and culturally diverse population.

Working Conditions and Environmental Factors:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee will experience on the job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is working in an office setting and may be exposed to items found in an office setting such as but not limited to toner, office equipment, dust etc. Travel is required. The employee may be exposed to weather conditions when required to travel off-site.

Mental Demands and Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee needs to be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit. Ability to climb stairs, balance; talk, hear. Dexterity to write and operate standard office machines such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, phones and calculators is required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds in an office setting. The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee must:

• Act as a positive role model and effectively manage emotions and demonstrate tolerance and empathy.

• Demonstrate an understanding that changing behaviors and habits require repetition and practice.

• Demonstrate patience and flexibility with coworkers and follow one’s safety plan when necessary.

A safe and risk-reduced environment is essential for effective treatment, good planning, efficient operations and the long-term preservation of the organization. To the extent that risk is recognized and identified, and formally managed, persons served, employees, foster families and Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth will be safer, and treatment and services will be of higher quality.

• Skills: decision making, organizational and communication skills including attention to detail, oral and written communication skills, listening and training skills

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)