Program Director Juvenile Detention Center Residential Program

BACKGROUND:

Prairie Lakes Youth Programs (PLYP) is located in Willmar, Minnesota and is a children’s residential facility licensed by the Department of Corrections for males and females ages 10-21. Our programs include a juvenile detention center, juvenile residential corrections program, non-secure program, boys group home, and girls group home.

In our children’s residential facility, we meet our youth where they are at- supporting through individualization with our continuum of services. We provide a therapeutic and cultural approach with art, gardening, pet therapy, substance use disorder treatment, cultural & diverse connections, spiritual resources, and more- all while healing trauma with safety and security. At PLYP, we have ignited youth dignity since 1991.

JOB SUMMARY:

In this corrections and residential work, our Program Director works in their assigned program, secure, non-secure, or group homes. Our Program Director helps youth, making a difference in their lives through leadership, supervision, and direction of the assigned program. This includes development, implementation and administrative functions as they relate to all services within the program. This position is also responsible for the direct care staff at the program as they relate to the day-to-day operation and implementation of all services for youth in the program. Included, but not limited to, is the scheduling and supervision of performance of staff.

The Program Director ensures PLYP continues to work with an above-and-beyond approach in all that we do with dignity, ensuring compliance and best practices within our specified targeted youth population and guiding our youth within our trauma-minded, culturally sensitive, and department of corrections programs. These duties will be completed as a part of our team through supporting youth.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Oversees the daily operations and functions of the program and gives clear work direction to staff so that they understand the exact nature of duties
• Ensures that staff within the facility follow the procedures and policy guidelines
• Overall understanding of the program and the services that are provided.
• Effective, positive communication with youth, co-workers, administration, parents and professionals. (Examples: Law enforcement, Probation Officers, Social Workers, Attorneys, Chemical Dependency Counselors, schools, and guardian ad litems)
• Display appropriate leadership skills so that staff have positive attitudes toward facility goals, develop harmonious working relationships, realize that they are an equal member of a team, and feel that they have support from their Program Director
• Aware of changes in the law, licensing standards, and other trends that may affect the program and is able to respond to those changes with the appropriate responses
• Maintaining strong relationships with PLYP’s diverse members programs from around the state through meetings, networking, training, assistance, and dissemination of policy information
• Represent PLYP on task forces, workgroups, and committees as needed
• Seek out and maintain positive connections with referral sources and other key stakeholders, representing PLYP is a best-in-class manner
• Receive and review all referrals in a timely manner to determine that the best alternatives for the youth have been explored to ensure that all placements are appropriate for program
• Responsible for the organizing of court appearances, meetings, and evaluations for youth in the program
• Oversees that intakes, discharges, disciplinary reports, youth injury reports, and special incident reports are accurately completed in a timely manner
• Oversee case placement plans, bi-weekly progress reports, and discharge summaries for youth
• Ensures that groups take place as scheduled with fidelity
• Supervise the daily documentation of youth behavior in the staff meetings
• Supervises staff so that the staff work output is at the highest possible level, both in quality and quantity with dignity
• Follow through with the appropriate staff disciplinary procedures in order to ensure staff and facility expectations
• Responsible for onboarding and assisting with supporting new employees
• Oversee weekly staff meetings and communicate significant information and incidents to the Executive Director
• Provides leadership during crisis situations or when calls are received during off hours
• Communicate effectively and consistently with DOC team members
• Assume the responsibility of being a mandated reporter by Minnesota State Law
• Assume other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned by the Executive Director
• Responds to crisis situations with youth as a part of the team
• Performs other job duties as assigned

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed in and around a Department of Corrections children’s residential facility
• Subject to standing, bending, walking, reaching, kneeling, crouching
• Ability to walk up and down stairs
• Lifting objects, at times over 50 pounds
• Ability to learn and use de-escalation and proper procedures (Controlled Force MACH)
• Potential to work with non-compliant youth
• As a children’s residential facility, we operate 365 days, 24/7, you may be required to work some evening, overnight, weekend, and holidays based on program needs

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Ability to remain positive during times of adversity and difficult situations
• Remain calm in high stress situations
• Outstanding time management
• Coordinate and implement multiple concurrent tasks
• Ability to work under pressure with constant interruptions
• Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and honesty
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal
• Dependable and committed to getting the job done
• Willingness to work other assigned shifts and overtime when needed
• Proficient with Microsoft suites, strong typing and documenting skills
• Case management
• Rule 2960 understanding
• Safety and security mindset
• Defensive Tactics
• First Aid and CPR
• Perform all work in a culturally responsive manner consistent with PLYP’s way of belongingness and inclusivity

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

• A Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Special Education, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Corrections, or closely related field
• At least 21 years of age at the time of employment start
• Successfully complete required background check
• Successfully complete annual Mantoux testing
• Must have a valid Minnesota driver’s license

BENEFITS:

• Health and dental insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Life Insurance
• PERA Corrections Pension
• PTO (Vacation, Sick, Compensation)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Annual allowance for PLYP clothing
• Monthly cell phone stipend

CHANGES TO THIS JOB DESCRIPTION:

The job description, responsibilities and duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by employees within this job classification, only a representative summary of the primary responsibilities and duties; and is subject to change following notification to employees

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $78,816.00 per year

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Willmar, MN 56201 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $78,816