Program Director – Public Health Diversion Center

Program Description

The Public Health Diversion Center provides 24/7 short stay, engagement, stabilization and treatment services for adults with mental health and/or substance use issues referred directly by NYPD as an alternative to the traditional police responses of arrest, summons, or transport to an emergency room.  Clients are referred to the Diversion Center when their infractions are non-violent and/or low-level offenses such as loitering, trespass, public inebriation, and disorderly conduct. The goal of the Diversion Center is to help participants begin to identify and modify the behaviors that result in repeated police contact. An OASAS licensed outpatient clinic, located on site, provides services to participants who are eligible.  The average length of stay is anticipated to 5 days.

Overall Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Deputy Director for Mental Health Services, with wide latitude for independent action and decision making, the Program Director is responsible for the overall management of the facility, providing leadership, direction, guidance, coaching and direct and indirect supervision of the staff.  The Program Director’s leadership and supervision will enable staff to implement the policies and program initiatives needed to effectuate the proper delivery of services to the targeted participant population and perform related work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties of the Program Director include but are not limited to the following activities:

·         Overall responsibility for the management of the facility, as well as program development and implementation to ensure the objectives of the program are achieved; participant needs are addressed and that participants are referred to appropriate community resources; and initiates corrective actions, as appropriate.

·         Accountable for the day-to-day operation of the facility with respect to workload allocation and staff productivity.

·         Determines policy for clinical services, and ensures that the Clinical Director and staff are providing quality care and comprehensive, as well as individualized, plans for participants. 

·         Participates in the daily team meetings.

·         Manages staffing including hiring; monitoring performance; and initiating disciplinary action, including termination where appropriate.

·         Ensures staff development and training on an individual and group basis; referring staff to internal and external training opportunities.

·         Regularly meets with direct reports on an individual and group basis to clarify roles and approaches to delivering services to the participants, making corrective recommendations as appropriate. 

·         Performs liaison functions between the facility and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

·         Ensures that the facility is in compliance with all state and local regulations and reporting requirements, especially Health and Safety requirements, and that staff maintains the necessary certifications and trainings to comply with the requirements of the oversight agencies.

·         Ensures the timely completion of weekly, monthly or annual reports.

·         Ensures that information about all city, state, and federal regulations including the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is disseminated and adhered to.

·         Interfaces with other city/state agencies as needed to better serve the participants

·         Maintains a positive relationship with the local community; responds in a timely manner to neighborhood concerns; facilitates Community Advisory Board meetings.

·         Ensures timely submission of supporting documents to respond to federal, state and city audits as well as any legal claims or lawsuits.

·         Ensures that staff adhere to agency guidelines regarding the procurement of goods and services, that documentation is provided to Facilities, Operations, and Finance Departments to facilitate timely payment to vendors.

·         Along with Performance Evaluation and Quality Assurance Department (PEQA) develops program performance measures that independently evaluate program performance.

·         Uses PEQA data and measures to manage program performance

·         Available to respond to emergencies on a 24/7/365 basis, especially after normal work hours and on weekends.

·         Other work as assigned

Education Requirements

A Master’s degree in social work, public administration, psychology, sociology, occupational or physical therapy, or other human services field. 

Experience Requirements

A minimum of -six (6) years of progressively responsible experience working with homeless and criminal justice involved individuals with either a diagnosis of mental illness or a substance use disorder; including experience in a residential setting.  Two (2) years of the required experience must have been in a managerial or supervisory capacity. 

Preferred skills:

Leadership:        Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff to accomplish stated goals and objectives of the program while developing their individual and group skills.  

Program Evaluation and Performance Management:  Must exhibit the ability to collaborate with PRI’s Performance Evaluation and Quality Assurance Department (PEQA) to develop program performance measures and to independently evaluate and manage program performance using data.

Team Building:                  Through personal example demonstrates, develops and fosters a team spirit enabling staff to overcome the challenges of providing needed services to a special participant population.  While professionalism is stressed at all times, there is latitude for a compassionate and empathetic approach to dealing with staff and participants. 

Communication:              Excellent oral, writing and listening skills.

Organizational skills:      The ability to work well in a highly pressured environment; set and meet deadlines and delegate as appropriate.

Interpersonal skills:        An ability to interface with participants as well as all levels of the organization.

Computer skills:               Knowledge of case management software as well as a proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

To apply: E-mail resume and cover letter indicating position and salary requirements to:careers@projectrenewal.org