ER AND WC Program Manager - Military veterans preferred

Since 1970, Bridge Over Troubled Waters has been at the forefront of nationwide efforts to develop innovative programs and practices to reach vulnerable, high-risk, and homeless youth and provide an age-appropriate continuum of care to help them transform their lives and grow into fulfilled, self-sufficient

The Emergency Residence (ER) is a six-month residential program that supports homeless young adults working towards becoming housed, completing their education, gaining, and maintaining employment, building up their savings, and accessing appropriate physical and behavioral healthcare. The Welcome Center (WC) is a multi-functional program that supports homeless young adults (ages 18- 24) using a cooperative approach to service delivery coordinated through its Day program and Overnight Shelter program.

Bridge is seeking a qualified Manager to supervise the day-to-day operations and full scope of services offered by the ER and WC programs. Expectations of the role include availability to work 2p.m. to 10:00 p.m. or 3p.m. to 11:00 p.m., including (2 weekend shifts per month) weekend coverage

POSITION SUMMARY

The ER/ WC Manager reports to the Associate Director of the Emergency Residence and Welcome Center and is responsible for supervising the day-to-day functioning of the Emergency Residence (ER) and Welcome Center (WC) programs, including supervision of the milieu(s), the delivery of case management services, and maintaining accurate records and case files.

As the Program Manager, you will spend 75% (30 hours per week) of your daily working hours (or as needed) in the milieu, participating in and supervising the staff’s delivery of services to participants utilizing the programs.

The position requires a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. The Program Manager will continually assess and direct a wide range of programmatic issues including staffing, managing, and analyzing the internal workflow, maintaining databases, communicating with staff and residents, transitioning residents in and out of the programs, monitoring residents’ progress, and managing internal and external program relations. The Program Manager also serves as the primary contact for internal/external partners, counselors for clients when needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Supervise the day-to-day delivery of services for both the ER and WC
• Provide direct supervision of team members
• Model and promote a positive and inclusive environment for both staff and young adults
• Provide advocacy, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling for Staff and YAs
• Monitor program(s) participant’s progress
• Ensures program funds are used according to budget expectations and grant requirements
• Ensures that the administrative functions, policies, and protocols are being followed
• Monitor program compliance with all grants and funding requirements
• Collect and report program data, including but not limited to data required for Bridge ETO, HMIS, and funders required data
• Provide orientation and training for new employees
• Coordinate program/staff schedules to ensure appropriate coverage
• Participate in weekly, monthly, and quarterly staff/program meetings as scheduled
• To be on-call for staff as needed*

MILIEU SUPERVISION

• Be physically present in the milieu 75% (30 hours per week) of your daily working hours (or as needed)
• Ensure the proper operations and functions of the program are executed as expected, including enrollment, assessments, monitoring attendance, and generating referrals
• Model appropriate engagement and protocol for staff working with YAs; including providing emotional support, cooking meals, participating in chores, completing required documentation/data entry, and facilitating life skills
• Engage young people through strength-based and harm reduction approaches
• Utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) to engage youth around behavioral health concerns and or problematic behavior and ensure staff are also utilizing these clinical approaches.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Serve as liaison / advocate between the programs and internal Bridge community, as well as external community of providers, funders, and Bridge allies
• Ability to engage and build rapport with YAs throughout Bridge
• Ability to effectively communicate program services to YAs and third-party guests (volunteers, funders, and board members) as needed
• Willing to attend third-party events (including conferences) on behalf of Bridge, as needed

DIVERSITY

• Ensure that all activities, services, and programs through Bridge are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to and shows respect for the cultural and ethnic diversity of all Bridge clients.

OTHER DUTIES

• Other related tasks as required or requested by the supervising Associate Director, and/or Bridge Senior Management. The experienced professional serving in this role can expect a wide variety of program related tasks throughout the course of managing the programs.

 QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/REQUIREMENTS

• BA/BS degree in social work or a related field; commensurate experience considered
• 3-5 years' supervisory experience in a residential setting; preferably with at-risk youth (18-24 years old)
• Experience working with at-risk young adults (preferably 18 – 24 years old), with behavioral health issues and substance use disorders
• Experience and capacity to engage YAs, build rapport, provide support, including advocacy, reducing isolation, problem solving, and referring/connecting to resources.
• Knowledge and experience with data collection and management systems
• Computer literate; experienced with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Outlook, Internet
• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

While performing duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work at a computer, ambulate and walk up and down stairs frequently, and must be able to lift/move weight up to 25lbs. The employee is also required to answer/make phones calls and must be able to hear and speak. Employees must also have visual acuity to read and draft reports, memos, letters, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision adequate for the incumbent to perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently. The noise level is quiet to moderate. Bridge maintains a non-smoking environment.

The above-mentioned job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned. It is to give a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of business demands changes, so, too, may the essential functions of this position.