Director of Walden School
Sign on Bonus $1,500
Housing resources can be shared
ASL proficiency required
Walden School (WS) is a nationally-recognized residential therapeutic and education program for deaf children and youth ages 7 to 22. Walden School utilizes a trauma-informed approach to serve students with behavioral health challenges, and have treatment needs that have not been successfully addressed in other academic and residential settings. Working with a staff that is proficient in American Sign Language (over 75% of whom are Deaf), Walden students receive highly individualized, trauma-informed care and therapy in a structured, supportive, home-like setting. Students attend classes during the day with curriculum modified to each individual need, and have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and athletics on campus with their Marie Philip student peers.
The Director of Walden School is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of Walden School administration, ensuring quality educational, therapeutic, and recreational programming, recruitment, compliance, financial objectives, program development and strategic planning.
SUPERVISOR: Chief Operating Officer
FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Program Oversight
Ensure high quality therapeutic programming that reflects child-centered, strength-based focus, and a trauma informed care approach to treatment
Ensure a racial equity lens is applied throughout all programming
Maintain a welcoming environment for all youth and their families ensuring families are involved and engaged in their child’s treatment, and act in an advisory capacity to program development
2. Program Development, Strategic Planning and Quality
First and foremost, ensure that Walden School is a place of healing, fun, learning, creative experience and expression, inclusive of all students and staff, a place where they can learn, grow and belong.
Establish and implement a plan to ensure that schools and agencies serving children who might need Walden School services are kept informed of program development and current or anticipated openings.
Ensure the completion of the necessary documentation to obtain and retain Certificate of Accreditation (COA) and other accreditations and licenses.
With the leadership team, develop short and long-range goals for ensuring quality programming and expansion of services.
Ensure that Walden School is represented as presenters and participants in conferences and publications relevant to the mission of the program. Pursue options for the development of services as alternatives, or in addition to, residential treatment for the population served.
Work with the Finance Office to identify and pursue grants and contracts applicable to the services of Walden School.
Work collaboratively, and in the spirit of advocacy, with state agencies to improve the quality of services for the population served. Ensure ongoing communication with parents and guardians to obtain their input regarding the needs of their child and to keep them informed of services and progress.
Ensure collaboration with families which promotes inclusion and belonging.
3. Program Administration
Develop an annual program budget, with support from the Finance office, to be managed monthly and reviewed quarterly for adjustments.
Work with the Walden School leadership team to develop, keep current and revise policies and procedures. Lead the interviewing and hiring process for all Walden School leadership positions.
Oversee and approve all hiring for direct care positions.
Ensure that the program meets the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and all other relevant agencies as may be required; maintain licenses and renegotiate contracts with these agencies.
Maintain contracts and state approvals with agencies from other states who place students in Walden School.
Recruit new students to Walden School.
Participate actively in nationwide education and marketing of Walden School.
Participate as a collaborating member of the The Learning Center for the Deaf’s Leadership team.
4. Supervision
Provide direct supervision and support to the Walden School leadership team as a leader that inspires excellence and compassion. Ensure that quality educational, therapeutic and residential services are provided in a manner compatible with the mission and philosophy of Walden School.
Provide direct supervision to the Walden School Administrative Assistant
5. Financial Objectives
Operate the day-to-day operations within budget parameters, including minimizing overtime and other controllable expenses. Maintain responsibility for creation, submission and adherence to the Walden School Annual Budget.
Approve payroll bi-weekly.
Approve vendor contracts and payments in alignment with the mission, strategic plan and budget parameters.
Communicate regularly the financial status of Walden School, and execute plans to administer corrective financial action as needed.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
TLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunity in every area of hiring and employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, criminal record (inquiries only), handicap (disability), mental illness, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, genetics, active military, and any other legally protected characteristic.
Requirements
Advanced degree in human services administration, or related field, and experience as a human services professional working with deaf children or adolescents with emotional/behavioral challenges.
Experience must include past position working in a leadership role.
A native, or near native fluency in American Sign Language.
Have heart, passion and belief in the success of Deaf children.
Enjoy having fun and creating environments where others enjoy to work, live and learn.