Director of Residential Programs

Job Title: Director of Residential Programs

Reports To: Vice President, Residential Services

Supervises: Residential Program Directors

Location: Bronx, NY – Overseeing multiple Argus Residential Sites

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Residential Programs provides leadership and oversight across our residential substance use disorder treatment programs, including Harbor House, Striver House, CREATE Residential Programs, and other programs as assigned. Reporting to the Vice President of Residential Services, the Director will directly supervise residential Program Directors and help ensure consistent standards of clinical quality, regulatory compliance, operational performance, and participant care across the residential portfolio.

The Director is expected to spend significant time at program sites, directly observe operations, engage with staff and participants, coach Program Directors, identify concerns early, and ensure that appropriate corrective actions are implemented and sustained. He/She combines strong clinical and operational judgment with the ability to develop leaders, use data to drive performance, navigate complex situations, and maintain high standards of accountability. A NYS LCSW is strongly preferred, as is significant experience with NYS OASAS residential treatment services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the lead clinician and primary clinical on-site resource, providing expert guidance on complex clinical issue, troubleshooting challenges in real time, and ensuring high-quality, person centered care through effective leadership, coaching, and role modeling for all residential Program Directors.

Conduct structured weekly individual supervisory/check-in meetings with each Program Director to review census, staffing, clinical and operational performance, incidents, regulatory concerns, documentation, and priority action items.

Maintain a consistent on-site presence across residential programs and directly observe program operations and service delivery. Establish clear expectations and hold Program Directors accountable for program performance and timely resolution of identified concerns.

Ensure consistency in standards and expectations across residential programs while recognizing the distinct needs of each program and population. Develop Program Directors as effective leaders and strengthen the overall residential management team.

Promote high-quality, trauma-informed, person-centered, recovery-oriented, harm-reduction-informed, and evidence-based treatment.

Ensure programs maintain appropriate standards for assessment, treatment planning, case management, discharge planning, and continuity of care.

Promote meaningful participant engagement and ensure mechanisms are in place to obtain, review, and respond to participant feedback.

Support strong coordination among residential, outpatient, medical, psychiatric, peer, vocational, harm reduction, and community-based services.

Maintain strong working knowledge of applicable NYS OASAS regulations, including Part 820 residential services, and ensure programs remain continuously survey-ready.

Partner with Compliance, Quality Assurance, Clinical Operations, Medical Services, and other departments to identify and address areas of regulatory and clinical risk.

Monitor the quality and timeliness of clinical documentation and other required records.

Review significant incidents, grievances, complaints, audit findings, and performance trends. Participate in root cause analyses, corrective action plans, and performance improvement initiatives.

Ensure corrective actions resulting from audits, incidents, regulatory reviews, or leadership directives are implemented, documented, monitored, and sustained.

Regularly monitor key performance indicators, including census and occupancy, admissions and discharges, length of stay, participant retention, successful completions, staffing and vacancies, overtime, documentation compliance, incidents, grievances, and other quality measures.

Work collaboratively with centralized admissions and program leadership to maintain appropriate census and timely access to treatment.

Identify barriers to admissions, engagement, retention, service delivery, and successful transitions between levels of care. Specifically, collaborate with courts, probation, parole, and other criminal justice partners to monitor participant progress, support compliance with court requirements, and advocate for successful program outcomes.

Work with Human Resources and residential leadership regarding recruitment, retention, employee performance, professional development, and disciplinary matters.

Promote responsible fiscal stewardship and appropriate management of staffing, overtime, supplies, consultants, and other program resources.

Use data to identify trends, establish priorities, and develop improvement strategies.

Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, transparency, professionalism, respect, and continuous improvement.

Work collaboratively with Admissions, Clinical Operations, Medical Services, Compliance, Quality Assurance, Human Resources, Finance, Billing, Food and Nutrition Services, Facilities, Information Technology, and other centralized departments.

Facilitate coordination and appropriate transitions among Argus programs and levels of care.

Provide leadership and consultation regarding serious incidents, participant safety concerns, staffing emergencies, and other significant program events. Lead clinical interventions during psychiatric, behavioral, and substance use crises by conducting comprehensive risk assessments, developing safety and stabilization plans, and guiding staff in de-escalation strategies.

Ensure significant events are appropriately escalated to the AVP, VP, Compliance, and other leadership in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

Participate in emergency preparedness and continuity-of-operations planning.

Be available for consultation outside regular business hours for significant residential program matters when necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Licensure

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related behavioral health field required.

New York State LCSW strongly preferred. LMSW, LMHC, CASAC, or another relevant New York State clinical credential may be considered in combination with significant residential behavioral health leadership experience.

Experience

Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, residential services, or a related field.

Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or management experience, preferably including supervision of managers, supervisors, or Program Directors.

Significant experience in residential substance use disorder treatment strongly preferred.

Knowledge of NYS OASAS regulations and Part 820 residential services strongly preferred.

Experience with regulatory surveys, clinical documentation, quality improvement, incident management, corrective action, and performance management preferred.

Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple programs and competing priorities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Strong leadership, supervisory, coaching, and staff-development skills.

Ability to establish clear expectations and hold managers accountable for results.

Strong clinical judgment and understanding of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, recovery, and harm reduction.

Ability to translate regulatory requirements into effective day-to-day operations.

Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to use data and performance measures to drive improvement.

Sound judgment and ability to respond effectively to complex clinical, personnel, and operational situations.

Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Ability to work effectively across departments and organizational levels.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.

Ability and willingness to travel regularly among Argus Community program locations throughout New York City.

Working Conditions & Special Requirements:

Because this program operates continuously to support vulnerable populations, this role is classified as essential. Staff occupying this title may be required to work alternative shifts, stay over for incoming shifts during staffing shortages, or report during city/state weather travel advisories.