Unit Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About St, John’s

Founded in 1826 as a home for orphaned children, St. John’s has evolved into a nonprofit social services agency providing residential care to New York City youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We offer holistic, trauma-informed support to young people up to age 21. 

Our main campus in Rockaway Park, Queens, houses a Residential Treatment Center, Close to Home Non-Secure Placement programs, administrative offices, clinical services, and an on-site NYC Department of Education school. We also operate a Non-Secure Detention residence in Richmond Hill and Limited Secure Placement programs in Brooklyn and Staten Island. 

St. John’s is dedicated to helping youth heal, grow, and build the skills they need to achieve their goals and return to family or a stable, supportive environment as engaged members of their communities. 

Summary Job Description:

The Unit Manager is accountable for the physical/emotional safety of the environment always. Additionally, the individual is responsible for supporting the Group Leader/Shift Supervisor in leading the staff/resident teams utilizing the Tuckman/ other model of supervision along with the MYSI standards (Eyes on, Ears on, Heart on). Furthermore, the Unit Manager must ensure the fidelity/implementation of the MYSI approach, compliance with all rules and regulations, policy/procedure set forth by governing bodies (ACS, OCFS, etc.). Moreover, the Unit Manger must collaborate with all service providers, Medical, Social Service, Q256 and all other providers.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Demonstratesfidelity to the agency’s service values and organizational imperatives.
• Perform no less than 2 overnight pop-up visits per month, to be documented (inlog bookupon arrival/departure) andsubmittedto the NSP director of residential services.
• Review and analyze all ACS draft/policy procedures and know what each draft/policy entails in terms of current program practices and create a plan to implement.
• Attend all meetings both internally and externally as assigned,i.e.treatment planning conferences, team meetings, weekly supervision, IEP meetings, monthly education meetings, red flag meetings, etc.
• Facilitateweekly team meetings with the group leader/ shift supervisor; meet with Residential Program Director/ Assistant Program Director at least weekly to provide TPC/ other and program/staffing update.

• Meet with the group leader/ shift supervisor on a weekly basis to support the individual’s growth and development; submitdocumentation of meetings to NSP director of residential services within48 hours.
• Work with the groupleader;tosubmita full program schedule including activities 1 month in advance; secure all resources necessary to implement. Monitor program schedule and implementation of all activities asrequired, with close attention paid to IDLE time (there should be minimal).
• Alert NSP/ RTC Director of Residential/ Assistant Director of all issuesregardingstaff,residentsandprogramin real time but not less than a fullshift’snotice.
• Upon a new resident’s arrival request copy of his IEP and set in motion IEP review, advocate on behalf of residents in terms of school placement, permanency, etc., as appropriate.
• Ensure all shiftsmaintaintheminimumstaff to resident ratio at all times.
• Facilitateandinsureall SCM/ TCI/ SCM trainings are held every 6 mos. and/or as needed tomaintainagency/ program compliance. Maintain training certification and compliance with all training requirements.
• Collaborate with service providers both internally/externally to ensureneedsof youth are met.
• Monitor and assess group meetings twice a month andsubmitfindings todirectorof residential services.
• Review all required documentation,i.e.entire security and contraband book, fire drill log, daily logs, MAR, running log, recreational log, van log, etc. no less than twice a week. Ensure programis in compliance withall entities, OCFS, ACS, MYSI, PBS and St. John’setc. Report any issues to supervisor.
• Ensure that the physical environment meets compliance standards and is neat,cleanand orderly. All youth work must be current and displayed appropriately throughout the unit.
• Organize and attend allspecial events(includesfamily day/ other) and significant trips.
• Required to support PBS initiative in terms of data entry, maintenance of intake data and relevant documents, familysurvey, youthsurveysetc.
• Additionally, beyond theaforementioned statements, performany and alltasks asassigned by program leadership.

**For any/all overnight shift employee: In addition to the core responsibilities listed above, the overnight shift requirements include the following

• Remain awake andalert at all times
• Check on youth during the night as prescribed and deal with any/ all issues that may arise
• Assistyouth in their morning routines
• Follow protocols when youth are sick
• Follow unit specific household duties as assigned

• Refrain from engaging in personal activities that are not work related
• Notify night-time administrator of any major concerns

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred w/1year experience working w/vulnerable youth or High School Diploma w/ a minimum of 3 years of experience in an NSP/RTC/congregate setting, individual must be well versed in the MYSI approach/standards, the Tuckman Model of supervision, TCI/ SCM with knowledge of program planning and implementation. Additionally, this role requires a valid driver’s license, and strong communication skills with the ability to manage staff/youth. Dependable/ Reliable; Able to effectively manage program/ others; Ethical and mature in action and deed.

Travel Requirements:

This position may require travel between 2 to 3 residential programs located in Queens, Staten Island, or Brookyln. Travel to St. John’s administrative offices for meetings, trainings, etc. is also required.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position.