Massachusetts Creative Jobs

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking dynamic, positive, and service-minded individuals to fill the role of Assistant Program Director at the Worcester Secure Treatment Program located at 288 Lyman St, Westborough, MA. DYS works with juvenile justice-involved young people ages 12 – 20 years old (most of the youth served are 14 -18 years old) in DYS residential facilities. As the Assistant Program Director, you will have a unique opportunity to utilize skills that directly and positively influence the course of a troubled young person's life. While assisting the Program Director with oversight of the hardware secure/detention Unit that houses youth who have been adjudicated, the incumbent will supervise the front-line Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialists (JJYDS). On call 24/7 the selected candidate in conjunction with the JJYDS is often the first responders to emergencies within a facility. The selected candidate will also establish and maintain clear concise and effective lines of communication as well as working relationships with staff, residents, Families, Area Managers, Clinicians, Caseworks, and Law Enforcement Agencies. 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):_ * Assist in the oversight of a locked secure facility for youthful offenders; Ensure a high quality of care and oversight of the population served; Conduct security audits and checks; Ensure adequate controls for contraband; Respond to programmatic issues and emergencies; Ensure that DYS policies and procedures are adhered to. * Ensure adequate staff-to-client ratios that conform to Early Education and Childcare regulations; Coordinate unit repair and improvement activities; Ensure the safety of youth staff and contractors; Conduct investigations when necessary; in the Program Director’s absence manage all aspects of program operations. * Direct, assign and supervise the work of direct care professionals in the unit, including state and vendor employees; prepare work schedules; manage the use of overtime; provide a comprehensive in-service training program and ensure staff members are certified annually in Restraint Techniques, Suicide Prevention First Aid and CPR; supervise Group worker III personnel and all those in the reporting structure. * Prepare written materials including the Monthly Report, internal and external 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), Issue written disciplinary notices; Update and revise program procedures. * Ensure effective communication within the program by organizing and acting as chair of regular staff meetings; monitoring daily logs; reviewing videotapes; meeting in formal supervision and responding to program staff concerns on an as-needed basis. * Act as a role model and mentor to program staff; work as a member of the program’s team of senior staff in developing program goals and objectives and, in general terms, enhance program operation. * Apply approved restraint techniques when necessary and in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures. * Conduct formal performance evaluations using the Employee Performance Review System (EPRS) promptly. * Support youthful offenders that are in individual, family, and/or behavioral crisis. * Supervise medical and/or suicide interventions, referrals and follow on treatment of residents. * Supervise the discipline and rights procedures of the behavior management system applied to residents. * Observe residents and work shifts by attending school sessions, clinical groups, recreation, and meals on a daily basis. * Conduct orientation of new staff by ensuring that all new staff clearly understands the specific rules and procedures regulating staff behavior and interaction with residents to create a positive climate where staff and residents know what to expect from each other. * Perform 24-hour crisis intervention on-call responsibilities _Required Qualifications:_ * Considerable knowledge of State laws pertaining to juvenile laws and juvenile rights, as well as experience in juvenile/adult corrections * Demonstrated knowledge of the detention system utilized by DYS, and the goals and objectives of DYS. * Excellent decision-making ability is critical as decisions must be made promptly and requires good judgement and experienced reasoning including the ability to anticipate and analyze difficult situations and take corrective action. * Ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional staff from a variety of juvenile and criminal justice organizations, and non-profit provider agencies as well as the ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural, and/or economic backgrounds. * Strong interpersonal, writing communication, clinical, and organizational skills in a field directly related to the functions of the Department of Youth Services. * Demonstrated knowledge of budget development. * Ability to properly restrain or subdue juvenile offenders through appropriate use of handcuffs or other restraint techniques in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures. _Preferred Qualifications:_ * Knowledge of the types and availability of public and private organizations providing services to juveniles. * Awareness of the types and application of emergency medical procedures such as basic first aid, and CPR. * Trained in restraints and crisis intervention. * Understanding of DYS programming, population data, and internal operations. * Experience with data management systems including the DYS Juvenile Justice Enterprise Management System (JJEMS). * Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, protocols, specifications, guidelines, and professional standards of assigned unit activities. _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 by 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. Shift: 1st shift (8:45 am-5:00 pm) Sunday through Thursday Friday and Saturday off _ *Pre-Hire 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 before the candidate is hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants". 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 log on to the DYS website www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process. 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 contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2. *First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.* Applicants must have at least (A) four 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 one year 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 two years 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 three years of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management, public administration, financial management, or degree related directly to the specialty may be substituted for a maximum of one year 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. Job: Administrative Services* *Organization: Department of Youth Services *Title: *Assistant Program Director, Worcester Secure Treatment, Central Region Location: Massachusetts-Westborough - 167 Lyman Street Requisition ID: 2300064E