Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.
Scope of Position: The Program Director is responsible for the supervision and support of program staff, fostering a team environment that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on behavior. This role requires a strong leader who can motivate staff to effectively utilize crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation techniques to manage challenging situations. The Program Director ensures that all services are client-centered and client-determined, while also aligning with contractual and funder requirements. Additionally, the Program Director oversees the development, coordination, and execution of on-site programming to ensure high-quality service delivery and continuous program improvement.
Essential Position Functions:
- Directly supervise all program staff. Supervise the delivery of services to clients, including admission to the program, ongoing operations, and discharge from the program.
- Ensure training of all staff on crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, and trauma-informed care. Model appropriate interactions with clients, recognizing that care should consider a person's life experiences and history of trauma to be most effective and client-centered.
- Ensure that the program is prepared for successful audits and reviews. Complete monthly data collection to monitor services and trends in census, attendance, incidents, and funder outcomes.
- Be available on call for 24-hour crisis intervention. Attend meetings as requested and be willing to work nights and/or weekends as needed.
- Manage personnel activities, including hiring, shift scheduling, developing policies and procedures, conducting staff meetings, case conferences, staff training, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and addressing labor/management issues.
- Perform all required administrative duties, including data entry, monitoring performance measures, managing petty cash, and tracking staff attendance.
- Conduct ongoing assessment of building maintenance requirements and serve as a liaison with maintenance staff regarding repair needs. Ensure overall facility management, including repairs and purchasing.
- Serve as a liaison with the Property Management & Maintenance Department to ensure overall compliance.
- Attend staff meetings, supervision, and trainings as required.
- Demonstrate the ability to work with consumers/residents/tenants, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, with a clear understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences.
- Conduct apartment/building inspections on multiple floors using stairs. Escort clients throughout the community using public transportation and attend off-site meetings/trainings.
- Immediately report serious incidents, allegations, or sensitive situations to supervisors.
- Show willingness to assist with other programs and clients as part of the overall housing portfolio.
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned.
Requirements:
- Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master’s degree in a related field.
- Experience in mental health services, crisis intervention, and managing trauma-triggered behavior.
- Strong time management and organizational skills; resilient under stress; flexible and adaptable in dynamic environments; collaborative team player with a willingness to receive and incorporate feedback; creative problem-solver.
- Willingness to perform CPR, First Aid, AED, Crisis Intervention, and administer Naloxone.
- Supervisory experience in both clinical and operational roles.
- Strong interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
- Preferred: Familiarity with the AWARDS case management system.
- Spanish language proficiency a plus.
The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer