Openings

Believing in the potential of every young person and family, AK Child & Family transforms lives and strengthens communities. We do this through compassionate, trauma-informed care that fosters healing and lasting change

The Director of Residential Services (DRS) is a key member of the Leadership Team and is responsible for the day-to-day operational oversight and clinical leadership of AK Child & Family’s residential treatment program. The DRS supports the development and delivery of trauma-informed, evidence-based, high-quality residential care that aligns with the agency’s strategic goals and mission and that leads to meaningful, measureable outcomes for the youth and families we serve.

Reporting to the Chief Clinical Officer and working in close collaboration with the Leadership Team, the DRS operates within parameters established by the President and CEO, Board of Directors, regulatory agencies, accrediting bodies, and state licensing guidelines. The DRS fosters collaboration across departments to ensure alignment in care and contributes to the development of practices aligned with Joint Commission standards and other applicable regulations. The DRS may be called upon to serve as a resource to the Board of Directors at the discretion of the President and CEO. President and CEO.

In addition to day-to-day leadership, the DRS plays an integral role in agency-wide initiatives that promote safety, healing and resilience for Alaska’s children and families. This role requires a collaborative spirit, strategic vision and a deep commitment to the power of trauma informed care. AK Child & Family practices the Sanctuary Model, which is a non-hierarchical, highly participatory, trauma-informed and evidence-supported whole culture, approach. This model helps the organization function in a safe, democratic and socially responsible manner and thereby providing effective treatment for clients and the community. We expect all employees, families and students to learn, understand and implement this model as part of their daily responsibilities and commitment to the culture of this agency.

The DRS is responsible for managing the residential program budget approved by the Board of Directors and ensuring the program remains cost-effective and efficient. This role includes oversight of staffing needs with a focus on maintaining therapeutic and clinical quality.

*All positions at AK Child & Family may have responsibilities altered during the course of employment due to agency imperatives. 

As the only Sanctuary Certified agency in Alaska, we champion the Sanctuary Model, fostering safety and resilience during recovery from adversity.  The Sanctuary model is a blueprint for change, which at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community.  A recognition that trauma is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for the Sanctuary Model’s focus not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems who provide those services.

It is made up of a shared language, tools and 7 Commitments:

1. Growth and Change: Embracing continuous learning, resilience, and innovation to build a supportive community that helps students, and their families overcome trauma and create a brighter future.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Awareness of our own and other’s feelings to foster healthy interactions.
3. Social Learning: Sharing and valuing ideas while learning from one another.
4. Social Responsibility: Committing to care for each other, our community and ourselves.
5. Open Communication: Clear, respectful and honest communication.
6. Democracy: Aligning with shared goals and values, respecting and valuing diverse opinions, and encouraging constructive discussion to reach positive solutions.
7. Nonviolence: Physical, emotional, moral, cultural and social safety for others and ourselves.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Strategic Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the agency’s Leadership Team, contributing to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that improve service delivery and student outcomes
• Collaborate with executive leadership and other department heads to ensure cohesion across programs and agency-wide initiatives
• Collaborate in the development and implementation of clear performance expectations and metrics that support trauma informed, high quality care aligned with the Sanctuary Trauma Informed Model of Care Foster a culture of open communication, shared decision-making, and accountability
• Foster a culture of open communication, shared decision-making and accountability
• Participate in performance improvement activities and represent residential services in cross-departmental committees

 Program Oversight & Development

• Provide leadership for the residential program, ensuring effective daily operations and alignment with clinical best practices
• Oversee the design and implementation of a high-quality continuum of care, ensuring services are responsive to the diverse needs of students and families
• Champion the use of evidence-based and promising practices in program design and implementation, ensuring services support the holistic well-being of students and families
• Develop, review, and implement policies and procedures in partnership with the Chief Clinical Officer that enhance quality of care and ensure compliance with Joint Commission, Medicaid, State Licensing, and internal standards
• Partner with the Treatment Program Administrative Manager (TPAM) to monitor staff productivity, documentation quality, and adherence to compliance standards

 Clinical Collaboration & Staff Development

• Staff incoming referrals with the Admissions Department and approve those that are appropriate for residential level of care
• Supervise Residential Treatment Program Supervisors (TPS)
• Collaborate with and support, as needed, the Residential Recreation and Education Lead, Spiritual Life Team, Nursing staff and Medical Director.
• Support direct care staff by modeling agency values and providing coaching
• Facilitate ongoing clinical collaboration across the multidisciplinary team
• Engage in trauma-informed debriefings for the purpose of continual quality care and improvement
• Promote and participate in ongoing professional development opportunities
• Encourage conflict resolution among staff to maintain a collaborative and harmonious work environment

 Quality Assurance & Data Use

• Assess and monitor quality of care to ensure it is strengths based, trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate
• Collaborate on the development and use of quality assurance tools that inform continuous improvement
• Work closely with the Chief Clinical Officer and Medical Records team to monitor documentation compliance with internal and external standards, ensuring high-quality records that support effective treatment and continuity of care
• Participate in multidisciplinary team on call rotation for after-hours phone consultation when scheduled

 Facilities & Fiscal Management

• Coordinate with Maintenance and Performance Improvement departments to ensure facilities are safe, well maintained, and support a therapeutic environment
• In partnership with the CEO, CFO and CCO, contribute to fiscal oversight of residential programming including budget planning, monitoring expenses, and maintaining program sustainability.
• In collaboration with the CEO, CFO, and CCO, manage budget forecasting, resource allocation, and revenue projections to ensure financial sustainability of the residential program

 External Representation & Partnerships

• Uphold the agency’s reputation and nurture positive community relationships through active engagement with partners such as OCS, DJJ, Licensing entities, and funders
• Coordinate with external agencies and stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and resources that enhance the residential program and student outcomes
• Support strategic resource development

Benefits:

* Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, & Vision
* Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account
* Dependent Care Account
* Group Life and AD&D
* Long-Term Disability
* Employee Assistance Program
* 403(b) Retirement Plan
* Paid Time Off (PTO) - 13 hours/month in 1st year
* 2 Floating Holidays/year
* 6 Observed Holidays
* Bonuses: Longevity & Referral

Pay:

* $100,000 - $125,000 +DOE
* Bonus in the amount of 1.5% of annual salary after successful completion of 6-month Intro Period and another at the 1-year anniversary.

SUPERVISION AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES

The Director of Residential Services brings a comprehensive understanding of the therapeutic milieu in residential treatment and skillfully coaches and models these concepts for staff and supervisors. They apply a comprehensive, well-informed understanding to child and adolescent behavioral health treatment ensuring effective coordination of services and quality care. Provides programmatic oversight to ensure services are delivered in alignment with regulatory, clinical and organizational expectations.

The Director of Residential Services directly supervises the Treatment Program Supervisors (TPSs) and serves as a key point of coordination and guidance for the Spiritual Life, Residential Clinical Therapist team, Residential Behavior Health Specialist (RBHS), Recreation and Education Program, and the nursing team, the latter in collaboration with the agency Medical Director. This position is supervised by the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO).

Education & Experience:

• Master’s and/or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related behavioral health field required
• Professional License in the State of Alaska strongly preferred such as LCSW, LPC, LMFT
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the provision of clinical services
• At least three (3) years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience, preferably in child/adolescent mental health and residential treatment
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices in residential settings

Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams
• Strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills
• Skilled in conflict resolution, coaching, and staff development
• Ability to build positive working relationships with diverse staff, youth, families, and community partners
• Experience with clinical documentation, data analysis, and quality assurance
• Familiarity with Medicaid, Joint Commission, and licensing requirements
• Proficiency in using computers, electronic health records, and a variety of tools such as spreadsheets and email
• Ability to maintain flexible hours, including occasional evenings or weekends

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to travel between buildings and campuses
• Ability to represent the agency at community events
• Ability to operate a computer, phone, and other standard office equipment
• Ability to utilize personal vehicle to attend to responsibilities in all locations and in the community
• Ability to participate in meetings both in person and via video conference
• Ability to travel to conferences on occasion to represent the organization