Director of Operations, Northeast Region

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a mission driven individual with experience in program management and the philosophy, history and practice of the care and custody of juvenile offenders to fill the role of Regional Director of Operations (RDO). Reporting to the Regional Director the selected candidate is responsible for the day-to-day management of Regional Directors of Residential Services, Community Services, Clinical Coordinator, Fiscal Director, and Placement Services.

The Regional Director of Operations oversee and ensures the delivery of detention and treatment services, including hardware and staff secure treatment, community re-entry, foster care, and independent living. Additionally, the RDO ensures that youths are appropriately placed in the continuum of care and that programs (both state and provider-operated) are functioning effectively and delivering treatment services to DYS youths.

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):

• Oversee the procurement of services and goods for the Regional Office and all fiscal related matters, including encumbering and managing the regional allocation of funds and the payment of all vendor invoices and vouchers through the supervision of the Fiscal Director.
• Develop, in conjunction with the Regional Director, the budget for the Regional Office and oversee the compilation of financial data and reports.
• Responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of all activities and functions in the Regional Office and for exercising an efficient system of control for policy and program development, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.
• Ensure that all program policy and development and service provision processes function effectively to support the accomplishment of the Department’s mission to work in partnership with communities, families, government, and provider agencies to achieve the goal of protecting the public and preventing crime by promoting positive change in the youths committed to DYS care.
• Provide leadership, information, and expertise to ensure a range of high-quality services to youths and their families.
• Responsible for DYS staff and their ability to manage crisis, major disturbances, mental health medication management and suicide prevention.
• Act as the Chair of the Regional Client Classification System and oversee classification decisions on the readiness for release of sexually dangerous persons and sex offenders, as well as violent offenders.
• Oversee capital management of all state facilities, their operation, repair, and maintenance.
• Assist the managers in the hiring/promoting/staffing/professional development of their residential programs/and district offices, as well as corrective/disciplinary action in conjunction with the Human Resources Department.
• Conduct and delegate internal investigations as needed or assigned by the Regional Director.
• Collaborate and oversee the region’s JDAI (Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative) work and collaborate with all local stakeholders.
• Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the work and ensure fair and equitable practices for all youth and families.
• Help to develop comprehensive quality assurance programs within the regional office including participation in centralized initiatives and oversees the development, monitoring and evaluation of the local system of care.
• Collaborate with other state agencies and community organizations in the shared provision of services to clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Social Services or Public Administration with a minimum of 7 years in a senior management position.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience of juvenile justice history, philosophy and practice for the care and custody of juvenile offenders.
• Experience with services, programs, regulations, and policies for juveniles committed to DYS.
• Capacity to manage a diverse workforce including bargaining unit environment; ability to embrace diversity as a strategic advantage.
• Passion and commitment to establish and develop evidence-based programming for committed youth.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of operations and project management including coordination, communication, prioritization, troubleshooting, adherence to budget and completion of goals.
• Ability to establish standards, program of valuation, performance management, quality improvement, and investigatory processes.
• Critical thinking skills, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to lead, inspire and empower staff demonstrating confidence and leadership presence.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying.

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 through 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.

Pre- Employment Requirements:

Final Candidate must pass a pre-employment screening which includes: 1) Drug Screening; 2) Psychological Screening and 3) Medical Examination. 4) Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for direct care positions. If you would like more information, please logon to the DYS website www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal and tax history 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 prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit
http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

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 the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

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!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.