Program Director - Residential Services

Job Details

Job Location: New York, NY 10035 / Position Type: Full-Time / Education Level: MA/MSS / Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $65,000.00

Job Shift: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community‑based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.

Scope of Position

The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, supervision, and operation of East River House, a 42‑bed OMH‑licensed program. This role provides oversight of staff performance, program development, and delivery of client‑centered services while ensuring compliance with funder requirements and regulatory standards. The Program Director fosters a trauma‑informed environment and supports staff with crisis intervention and verbal de‑escalation strategies.

Essential Position Functions

• Directly supervise all program staff and oversee the delivery of services to clients, including program admission, ongoing operations, and discharge.
• Ensure all staff receive training in crisis intervention, verbal de‑escalation, and trauma‑informed care.
• Model appropriate client interactions, recognizing that effective, client‑centered care should consider an individual's life experiences and history of trauma.
• Prepare the program for successful audits and reviews; complete monthly data collection to monitor services and trends in census, attendance, incidents, and funder outcomes.
• Be available on call for 24‑hour crisis intervention; attend meetings and be willing to work evenings, nights, and weekends as needed.
• Manage personnel activities, including hiring, shift scheduling, policy and procedure development, staff meetings, case conferences, staff training, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and labor‑management issues.
• Perform all required administrative duties, including data entry, monitoring performance measures, managing petty cash, and tracking staff attendance.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of building maintenance needs and liaise with maintenance staff regarding repair requests; ensure overall facility management, including repairs and purchasing.
• Liaison with the Property Management and Maintenance Department to ensure overall compliance.
• Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions, and required training.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with consumers, residents, tenants, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, with sensitivity to cultural differences.
• Conduct apartment and building inspections on multiple floors, including the use of stairs; escort clients throughout the community using public transportation and attend off‑site meetings and training as required.
• Immediately report serious incidents, allegations, or sensitive situations to supervisors.
• Demonstrate a willingness to assist with other programs and clients as part of the overall Brooklyn Housing portfolio.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree or a master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience working with individuals impacted by mental health challenges, crisis intervention, and trauma‑related behaviors.
• Experience supervising clinical and operational staff.
• Strong interpersonal communication, organizational, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, adapt to changing priorities, receive feedback, and demonstrate flexibility in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with creative and effective approach to challenges.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain certifications in CPR, First Aid, AED, Crisis Intervention, and Naloxone administration.
• Preferred knowledge of AWARDS or similar client management systems.
• Spanish‑speaking ability is a plus.

Schedule: 35 hours per week with a variable schedule based on program needs.

The Bridge Inc. is an affirmative action / Equal Opportunity Employer.