Job Title: Deputy Director
Position Type: Full Time
Program: Children's Home
Job Classification: Exempt
Position Location: Children's Home
Min. Wage / Salary: $80-85k
Work Days: Monday - Friday
Work Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Reports to: Children's Home Director
Job Summary
At Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties, every team member plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable youth with compassion, structure, and dignity. As the Assistant Director of the Children's Home, you will help lead the day-to-day operations of a trauma-informed, highly structured residential program serving youth with complex behavioral and emotional needs. This role focuses on oversight of the direct care team, staffing coordination, regulatory compliance, and ongoing support to ensure safe, consistent, and quality care.
Key Responsibilities
Staff Leadership & Supervision
Provide direct supervision and support to Unit Supervisors and Youth Advocates, ensuring high performance, adherence to program expectations, and trauma-informed engagement with youth
Participate in staff hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management
Maintain a consistent presence across shifts and units to provide leadership, support crisis response, and reinforce a positive team culture
Staffing & Scheduling
Oversee the development and maintenance of staff schedules to ensure required coverage ratios are met at all times
Coordinate with Unit Supervisors to manage call-offs, shift coverage, and scheduling adjustments in real-time
Monitor staffing patterns for compliance with licensing and contractual requirements
Operations & Compliance
Assist the Children's Home Director with daily program operations, including licensing compliance, safety standards and documentation oversight
Participate in emergency response planning and the leadership on-call rotation
Support implementation and accountability of agency policies, Safety-Care techniques, and the ARC framework
Youth Safety & Support
Support de-escalation efforts and physical management responses when needed, following Safety-Care standards
Participate in incident debriefings, behavior plan development, and safety planning with the clinical and administrative teams
Monitor program climate and youth routines, intervening when necessary to maintain structure and safety
Collaboration & Communication
Serve as a liaison between the direct care team and program leadership, facilitating communication and coordination across shifts
Attend internal meetings, audits, and community partner visits as assigned
Provide regular updates to the Children's Home Director and contribute to strategic planning and quality improvement
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Health Care Administration, or a related field preferred
Experience
Minimum of 5 years of experience managing social service programs, or a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years in a program leadership role
Strong proficiency with electronic medical record (EMR) systems, data management tools and other technology platforms used in program operations
Experience in residential or Child Caring Institution settings licensed by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services preferred but not required
Familiarity with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services licensing rules, trauma-informed care and youth behavior management required
Personal Attributes Anticipated
Mission-Driven: Demonstrates a deep commitment to the mission and values of Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties, and incorporates them into daily work
Collaborative Team Player: Thrives in a team environment, contributing positively and working effectively with others to achieve shared goals
Solution-Oriented Problem Solver: Proactively identifies challenges and develops practical, innovative solutions to address them
Culturally Sensitive: Demonstrates awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of both colleagues and clients, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment
Integrity: Upholds a strong moral character, consistently doing what is right, and responsibly using time and resources to serve the organization's mission
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position is on-site and may not be eligible for remote work
Attendance at occasional meetings or events outside regular business hours is required
The role involves working with sensitive or potentially traumatic information and direct interaction with individuals or families in crisis
Physical requirements include frequent use of hands for handling objects, tools, or controls; talking, bending, squatting, twisting, climbing, kneeling, reaching, and occasionally lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds
Vision requirements include close-up work, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus
The work environment may involve varying degrees of physical discomfort and occasional loud noise
Occasional driving, potentially with Clients, during the workday may be needed for operational purposes
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions
Comments:
This job description is intended to outline the essential functions, general supplementary tasks, and key requirements for successful performance in this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Additional tasks may be assigned, and management reserves the right to modify duties as needed.
