Special Services Manager - Snell Farm

Job Summary

The Manager Special Services is responsible for the leadership, management, and performance of the Raise the Age (RTA) Program and the Special Services Team. This role creates and manages programs to proactively address safety concerns for the campus, which includes development of effective de-escalation and intervention plans, and the creation, implementation and monitoring of search protocols that are in line with OCFS regulations.  This role also oversees the RTA Program including supervision of staff, ensuring OCFS requirements for the RTA Program are completed, and serving as the point person for contact with OCFS partners during inspections and investigations.  This person supervises members of the Special Services Team and the Crisis Prevention Specialist.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the RTA Program and ensure compliance with Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations that ensure appropriate programming and oversight for this population.
• Maintain documentation regarding RTA residents’ engagement in treatment and programming activities specific to the RTA Program.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Special Services Team including OCFS regulatory compliance and the safety of youth, families, and staff.
• Ensure staff are trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) techniques and receive required updates. 
• Serve as content expert in TCI practices and remain available to support staff development in this area.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive practices to proactively address potential safety concerns.
• Oversee the physical plant and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
• Conduct perimeter checks and searches; monitor security cameras to observe campus activity to ensure youth and staff safety. 
• Provide supervision and security for on-site programming to reduce the risk of youth leaving program without consent.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with school staff, unit staff, and special services treatment partners.
• Develop, maintain, and update all required documentation for regulatory compliance and in alignment with agency protocols in a timely manner. 
• Understand and adhere to all safety regulations, including universal precautions and hazardous safety materials.
• Actively participate in agency, team, and community meetings.
• Assist in coordination and follow-up on all internal and external emergency situations.
• Model and assess implementation of CARE philosophy and practices throughout the campus.
• Serve as lead for the Snell Farm Safety Committee Team.
• Resolve conflicts between team members.
• On call rotation responsibilities.
• While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP DUTIES

• Leadership: Communicates supports and links Hillside mission, vision, values, goals, and strategies to everyday work and establishes clear, meaningful, challenging, and attainable objectives and expectations that are aligned with those of the organization.
• Management: Aligns the right work with the right people; delegates tasks according to people’s strengths and interests. Ensures staff has the skills and resources to be successful. Provides staff with coaching, training and opportunities for growth to improve their skills. Treats staff fairly and consistently. Shares accountability when delegating and involves staff in setting their performance goals.
• Governance: Ensures Hillside policies, procedures and all applicable governmental laws/regulations/guidelines are followed. Makes decisions and has authority to implement decisions in conjunction with the leadership structure of the given area of responsibility.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or other Human Services discipline preferred, or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a residential care, juvenile justice, human services or related setting required
• Minimum 1 year of leadership experience required

Special Requirements

• CPR certification required or obtained within 60 days of hire.
• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.  
• TCI Trainer Certification required or obtained within 120 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships and Optimizes Decision Making, Builds Talent and Engagement, Manages Change and Fosters Accountability & Results, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:

• Ability to plan and implement strategies.
• Ability to maintain and expand existing in-depth knowledge about the services and activities in all areas of responsibility and possess strong knowledge of the overall functions across Hillside to improve the quality of services and program implementation.
• Demonstrate the emotional competence and good judgment required to build productive, engaged staff, children, youth, and family relationships while implementing required rules, expectations and routines.
• Ability to complete all required documentation in timely fashion according to established policies and regulations.  This is an essential function in order to facilitate the efficient and effective flow of information necessary for the program to be effectively managed and outcomes optimized.
• Ability to recognize and address escalating and dysregulated youth behavior and utilizing training provided in behavior management and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) including the use of physical interventions (holds).
• Demonstrate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills with self and others.
• Ability to meet the highest standard for ethical and professional conduct towards all.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends
• The following physical demands are required:
  • Occasional sitting (up to 4 hours)
  • Occasional standing (up to 2 hours)
  • Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Occasional driving (up to 8 hours)
  • Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours)
  • Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Weekly lifting up to 50 lbs. (community-based staff may be required to lift an empty wheelchair weighing up to 50 lbs.), 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
  • Weekly carrying up to 55 lbs. approximately 10-100 ft., 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
• Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.).
• Occasional exposure to changes in temperature, dust, fumes, gases or chemicals is apparent. 
• Protective clothing or equipment as required: close toed shoes; protective shields, universal precaution PPE, and gloves for toileting and food preparation.
• Ability to change positions as needed.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

May be required to physically restrain clients weighing between 50 and 300 lbs. and guide them safely to the floor. In some circumstances, restraints can last up to 15 minutes and may require repetition as necessary.

$62,500 Minimum pay rate, $90,000 Maximum pay rate, based on experience. This pay rate may include a Regional and/or Department premium.