PROGRAM DIRECTOR

✨Join a group of passionate advocates on our mission to improve the lives of youth!  Rite of Passage Team is hiring for a Program Director at The Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center (AJATC) in Bryant, Arkansas✨

Pay: $110 depending on education & experience 

Perks & Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Company paid Life Insurance within 90 days, 401k match of up to 6% after 1 year of employment, Paid Time Off that can be used as soon as it accrues and more!  ROP-benefits-and-perks-2 

What you will do: The Program Director is responsible for the quality delivery and oversight of the treatment, educational, vocational and student health and welfare services in accordance with Rite of Passage policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local rules, regulations, Licensing, practices and laws. The Director is responsible for the day-to-day site operations including budgeting, financial stewardship, administration, program elements, promotions and marketing, and staff development and training.   

The Program Director develops, implements, manages and modifies the Rite of Passage program, and is responsible for:   

• Site operations, policies and procedures.  
• Educational/Vocational departments.  
• Safety, health and welfare of staff and students.   
• Clinical services, education, vocation, and health and welfare "Best".  
• Representing as the chairperson for the site Management Meetings.  
• Overseeing delivery of the Rite of Passage daily program.  
• Ensuring the program facilities are safe, clean and well maintained.  
• Maintaining contact and open communication with student athletes.  
• Oversight of medical and food services and administration. 
• Deep understanding of juvenile justice systems, including detention, assessment, treatment, and reintegration services, ideally with exposure to varied models.
  
• Commitment to trauma-informed care practices, with experience embedding these principles into facility operations, staff training, and youth programming.
• Ability to oversee complex behavioral health needs, coordinate with clinical providers, and advocate for youth with histories of severe trauma, runaway behavior, or aggressive incidents.
• Proven experience managing high-volume, secure residential environments with fluctuating youth populations.
• Demonstrated ability to reduce turnover through leadership development, morale-boosting initiatives, and strategic staffing models.
• Visionary mindset to continue or expand innovative programs.
• Working knowledge of ACA standards, PREA requirements, CARF requirement, NFPA 101 (especially regarding egress standards), and state-level mandates for juvenile care and safety.
• Comfort with high-pressure decision-making during incidents, including interface with law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and internal reviews.
• Skilled at building partnerships with public agencies, educators, medical contractors, and community organizations to create a supportive ecosystem for youth success.
• Ability to analyze incident trends, length of stay data, and program outcomes to inform system-wide improvements and ensure accountability.

 To be considered you should:  

• Have a BA/BS in related field (master's degree preferred).  
• Have a minimum of four years of related experience in residential facility management.  
• Be empathetic, patient, and treat others with respect.  
• Be able to pass a criminal background check, drug screen, physical, and TB test.  

Apply today and Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth!  

After 40 years of improving the lives of youth, we are looking for passionate advocates to continue the legacy of helping young people become successful adults. As a Program Director, you will have the unique opportunity to create a positive, safe and supportive environment for the youth we serve while building a career rich in growth opportunities and self-fulfillment.  

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Salary : $110