Hybrid Director of Youth, Violence Prevention and Court Support Program bei YWCA of Western MA

Department:      Youth, Violence Prevention and Court Support Services 

Reports to:       Chief Operating Officer  

Schedule:         Full-time, with flexibility to meet the needs of all the programs, respond to urgent situations, provide on-call coverage, and address other programmatic needs  

FLSA Status:     Exempt 

Starting Rate:   Commensurate with experience

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth ages of 17-24. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

Expectations of all employees

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to: 

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and others. 
• Perform quality work within program guidelines and deadlines. 
• Work effectively as a team contributor and foster a positive working environment.
• Work independently while understanding the need for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations. 
• Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality. 

Position Purpose

The Director of Youth, Violence Prevention and Court Support Programs provides support and guidance to the SAFEPLAN, Supervised Visitation and Violence Prevention Program. The Director is responsible for the overall operation of each of the programs within their department. Provides leadership and direction to keep the department and programs strong and develops new programs to meet identified needs. By hiring, training and supporting skillful, caring staff, the Director ensures that participants/clients receive quality services that are provided with compassion and respect, from a trauma-informed perspective. Additionally, the Director ensures adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and contractual obligations. 

This position will also be responsible for the adherence to program contractual obligations and quality of program services while ensuring a strengths-based model of service delivery that is responsive to the diverse needs of clients. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the following programs: 
  • SAFEPLAN- funded through the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, MOVA, this program aids victims of domestic violence in obtaining restraining orders, safety planning, resources, and referral information. Supported referrals to victim compensation benefits are completed for eligible survivors. All SAFEPLAN services are provided free of charge;
  • Supervised Visitation – funded through state Department of Public Health (DPH), this program works in Springfield and Florence providing a safe place for visitation with the non-custodial parent for victims of domestic violence and their children; and their children. Visitation is tailored to a family's level of risk. The program can accommodate on-site monitored visits; on-site unsupervised visits; or neutral, monitored exchanges, where staff supervise pick-up and drop-off between residential and non-residential parents;
  • The Violence Prevention Program (V.P.P) is a new branch of programming from the YWCA of Western Massachusetts- funded through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative Grant from the City of Springfield and the YWCA Alliance, the program works to prevent youth violence through prevention education services, peer mentoring and youth leadership throughout the City of Springfield. Young people are educated on healthy relationship dynamics, bystander intervention, warning signs on trafficking and help-seeking skills and healthy coping skills. The target age group is 12–18-year-olds;
• Ensure the accuracy and submission of monthly/quarterly/annual reporting;
• Ensure that programs adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and contractual obligations, including programmatic requirements, health and safety standards, and reporting requirements;
• Oversee the programs preparation for agency audits or program licensing reviews/site visits, including file preparation, site cleanliness, and adherence to funding requirements/standards;
• Ensure clear, accurate, and confidential documentation including data collection, entry, analysis, and reporting;
• Provide direct supervision and support to staff, as appropriate within the department’s structure
• Create and deliver training for new staff;
• Work collaboratively with senior leadership team members in support of grant applications, ideas/plans for growth, programs status, and the financial viability of programs;
• Communicate and coordinate with funding partners, community collaborators, and relevant coalitions to strengthen grant outcomes;
• Monitor program budgets;
• Lead team meetings for skill building, communication, and continuity among the programs;
• Share on-call responsibilities with other Department Directors, providing back-up to Site Directors/Supervisors for emergencies, when needed;
• Address employee performance issues promptly with written documentation and take appropriate steps in collaboration with Human Resources;
• Ensure that supervisors work in accordance with agency policies/procedures and collective bargaining agreement;
• Respond to all incidents ranging from 51A, elder abuse, reports to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission or a mental health emergency and ensure proper procedures as well as mandated guidelines are followed, including appropriate documentation and prompt notification to required state agency(s);
• Attend ongoing agency leadership meetings and regular individual supervision meetings;
• CPR/First Aid certification is required and must be maintained;
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by COO or CEO.

Qualifications 

• Master's degree in education, criminal justice social work, psychology or mental health counseling (license preferred) required;
• Minimum of 3 years prior supervisory experience, including clinical supervision, with demonstrated ability to successfully manage projects;
• Experience working with youth, adolescents, and families;
• Experience in working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault; 
• Ability to operate through a trauma-informed lens;
• Excellent written and organizational skills including strong computer skills;
• Must have positive energy, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team and effectively work with program staff and senior leadership;
• Demonstrate an understanding and active commitment to issues of diversity and inclusion, especially in support of the needs of communities of color and LGBTQ individuals;
• Must have ability to represent the agency from a management perspective in an active union environment;
• Must have ability to engage staff and clients and have strong problem/conflict resolution skills.  
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs; and
• Reliable transportation, safe driving record, and valid driver’s license required. Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy.

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.  

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 150-day Introductory Period.