Openings

The Director of Community Programs (DCP) is responsible for the leadership, administration, and strategic oversight of community-based programming. This role ensures the delivery of high quality, effective treatment programs with measurable outcomes aligned with AK Child & Family’s mission, strategic plan, and regulatory requirements. The DCP oversees program development; compliance, fiscal responsibility, and resource management, ensuring services meet community needs and are cost-effective and sustainable.

The DCP is responsible for recruiting, supervising, and developing a team of qualified professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and trauma-informed care. The Director actively collaborates with external stakeholders, including school districts; grant committees, and community organizations, to enhance program visibility and impact.

This role includes serving as the Directing Clinician, participating in on-call rotations, overseeing the CARES program, and engaging in grant writing and coordination. As a member of the AK Child & Family Management Team, the DCP supports agency-wide goals and initiatives and serves as a resource to the Board of Directors as needed. Additionally, the Director develops and oversees policies related to community-based programs, ensuring that these policies, procedures, and practices comply with state licensing, municipal regulations, and the requirements set forth by The Joint Commission. As a member of the AK Child & Family Management Team, the Director may also be called upon to provide resources to the Board of Directors at the discretion of the President and CEO.

*All positions at AK Child & Family may have responsibilities altered during the course of employment due to agency imperatives. 

As the only Sanctuary Certified agency in Alaska, we champion the Sanctuary Model, fostering safety and resilience during recovery from adversity.  The Sanctuary model is a blueprint for change, which at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community.  A recognition that trauma is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for the Sanctuary Model’s focus not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems who provide those services.

It is made up of a shared language, tools and 7 Commitments:

1. Growth and Change: Embracing continuous learning, resilience, and innovation to build a supportive community that helps students, and their families overcome trauma and create a brighter future.

2. Emotional Intelligence: Awareness of our own and other’s feelings to foster healthy interactions.

3. Social Learning: Sharing and valuing ideas while learning from one another.

4. Social Responsibility: Committing to care for each other, our community and ourselves.

5. Open Communication: Clear, respectful and honest communication.

6. Democracy: Aligning with shared goals and values, respecting and valuing diverse opinions, and encouraging constructive discussion to reach positive solutions.

7. Nonviolence: Physical, emotional, moral, cultural and social safety for others and ourselves.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and implement strategies to achieve program goals and objectives, aligning initiatives with the agency’s strategic plan and mission.
• Lead and direct community-based programming with a focus on improving service delivery and achieving positive client outcomes.
• Operational Oversight and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Monitor and evaluate program performance using KPIs to ensure efficiency, quality, and compliance.
• Establish systems for tracking outcomes, identifying trends, and making data-driven improvements.
• Ensure program alignment with The Sanctuary Model and other trauma-informed care frameworks.
• Program Development and Compliance
• Design, implement, and oversee innovative programs that address community needs while meeting regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Develop policies and procedures consistent with state licensing, municipal regulations, and The Joint Commission standards.
• Fiscal and Resource Management
• Oversee program budgets approved by the Board of Directors, ensuring cost-effectiveness and fiscal accountability.
• Secure grant funding and manage financial resources to support program sustainability and growth.
• Leadership and Team Building
• Supervise and support a diverse team of professionals, fostering a collaborative and accountable work environment.
• Provide training and professional development opportunities to staff, enhancing team capacity and retention.
• Data-Driven Innovation
• Use data and evidence-based practices to improve service delivery and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
• Prepare reports and presentations for internal and external audiences, including the Board of Directors.
• Community Collaboration
• Represent AK Child & Family in external groups, committees, and partnerships, such as ARBHC, grant cohorts, and ASD service provision teams.
• Lead grant-writing efforts and coordinate program-related funding opportunities.

BENEFITS

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, & Vision – with HRA!
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Group Life and AD&D
• Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program

OTHER BENEFITS:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - 13 hours/month in 1st year and then increases
• 2 Floating Holidays/year
• 6 Observed Holidays: double-time pay for working on the Holiday
• Bonuses: Longevity & Referral
• Educational Support Program

PAY:

• $90,000 - $100,000 + DOE
•  Bonus in the amount of 1.5% of annual salary after successful completion of 6-month Intro Period and another at the 1-year anniversary.

The Director of Community Programs directly supervises:

• Clinical Case Management Supervisors
• Community Programs Compliance Specialist
• Community Programs Clinical Therapists
• Community Programs Coordinator
• CARES Clinical Supervisor

The DCP is supervised by the Chief Clinical Officer.

Differentiation from Director of Foster Care Services

While both roles emphasize high-quality care and program development, the Director of Community Programs oversees a broader array of services, including home-based and wraparound services, in addition to therapeutic foster care. This role places greater emphasis on community-based initiatives, external collaboration (e.g., school districts and grant cohorts), and the CARES program, ensuring comprehensive service provision across diverse settings. The DCP also has a strategic focus on aligning programs with the agency's overall objectives, engaging external stakeholders, and driving program innovation through grant writing and data-driven improvements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong strategic leadership and operational oversight skills, with the ability to set and achieve measurable goals.
• Expertise in community-based treatment models, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based practices.
• Experience in grant writing, fiscal management, and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills to build and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative, innovative, and supportive team culture.

Education and experience:

• Master’s or Doctorate in psychology, social work, or a related field.
• Licensed in Alaska as a psychologist, psychological associate, social worker, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or psychiatric nurse.
• At least 5 years of clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health, with a focus on community-based services.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or leadership experience in mental health services, demonstrating effective team and program management.
• Proficiency in data analysis, program evaluation, and the use of technology to support operations.

The Director of Community Programs must be able to:

• Use computers and office equipment for reports and documentation.
• Utilize personal transportation for responsibilities across locations and community outreach.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally within the agency and externally.
• Attend meetings in person or via teleconference and represent AK Child & Family in the community.