Entry Level Program Director Jobs

Show your passion by empowering youth and families when joining the Wayside team!

Wayside is one of Massachusetts' most respected youth and family-serving agencies, supporting more than 6,000 youth and families annually across Central, Eastern, and Northeastern regions.

We invest in our employees' wellness with comprehensive benefits, including tuition and training reimbursement, a PTO package with 3 wellness days, 9 paid holidays, and up to 3 weeks of vacation in the first year. Enjoy a learning environment with free training, CEUs, and more, along with exceptional medical benefits, financial health supports, and career development opportunities.

Apply today and earn a $2,000.00 sign-on bonus (pro-rated for part-time)!

Area Lead Agency Program Director

(Framingham DCF)

The Wayside Area Lead Agency (ALA) is a partnership between the Framingham Department of Children and Families (DCF) area office (AO) to enhance the Area Office's management of contracted services, service utilization and family engagement. The Program Director will be responsible for all aspects of the overall operations of the DCF Lead Agency program, including the provision of quality client care, staff development, ongoing training and performance, licensing compliance, financial management, quality management, and the development of strong collateral connections with the funding sources. The Program Director is expected to act professionally and in a manner that is consistent with Wayside’s core service values: resiliency, excellence and diversity.

The Area Lead Agency develops and maintains excellent working relationships with DCF administration and staff in the Area Office; assist in development of collaborative relationships among community and contracted providers; function as a resource for ongoing information and problem-solving within the DCF Office on Network issues. Candidates are encouraged to have a strong knowledge base in DCF standards and practice and community-based services as well as demonstrated skills in cultural competence, management, negotiation, teambuilding, and effective communication, and organization.

Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00/year + sign-on bonus (half paid after 6 months of employment and half paid after 1 year of employment/pro-rated for part-time).

What You Will Do:

• Provide regular supervision and development to ALA staff.
• Provide and/or arrange for on-going professional development for essential ALA skills (e.g., facilitation, community outreach, service navigation and matching, use of technology).
• Maximize the value of the DCF-ALA public/private partnership, including orienting ALA staff to DCF priorities, culture, and processes; maintaining close collaboration with the AO ARC; and creative and efficient use of flex funding
• Promote the DCF-ALA partnership through effective communication, regular attendance at AO meetings, and commitment to collaboration.
• Coordinate with AO, RO leadership, and Services Network team to develop and present training and informational sessions for DCF staff regarding the role of the ALA, service arrays, appropriate use of evidence-based practices, and other topics as identified in collaboration with the Area Director.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge among ALA team of services available in the AO catchment area, including services available from state (e.g., DMH, DDS, MassHealth) and local agencies and from private, community-based organizations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of AO contracted service expenditures for support & stabilization services, comprehensive foster care, and congregate care. Collaborate with AAM and participate in AO and RO budget meetings.

Competencies/Traits of Our Superstars:

• Demonstrate an ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Have good time management and organization skills.
• Demonstrates high quality skilled communication centered in equity and curiosity (i.e. ability to connect with others, approachability, being respectful to others, able to communicate at all levels, strong client engagement skills, etc.).
• Believes in the Agency mission and values and is committed to building and supporting a diverse workplace.
• Has experience and understanding of State Agency services, CBHI and community resources.

Minimum Requirements:

• The Program Director position requires a candidate to hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Qualified candidates will have experience in program management, supervision and continuous quality assurance.
• Driving in the community is a requirement of this position; please ensure you have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle.

We Will Train You in: Motivational Interview; Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC); Courageous Conversations; Trauma Informed Practices.