Recovery Learning Center Program Director

Direct the operation of peer-operated Recovery Learning Community (RLC) setting(s) in which people with lived experience of mental health conditions choose to join as participants and work collaboratively on their recovery goals along with their peers. Work collaboratively with all other providers of RLC services within the contract to create a unified network of recovery- oriented support and activities. Strive to meet high quality standards and provide excellent value to
participants. Provide leadership and consultation to participants and staff on implementing recovery-focused groups and activities. Use and help RLC staff and volunteers to use rehabilitation values, principles and techniques, including skills training to help participants overcome barriers to their recovery.

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed
below:
RLC Participants
• Oversee day-to-day operation of RLC setting (s) including scheduling and programming, planning new initiatives and conducting peer support and educational groups.
• Help prepare participants to engage in a recovery process and to communicate their strengths, hopes, dreams and goals, effectively.
• Help participants access resources in their local community to support/enhance their recovery, including educational, employment, housing, and social supports.
• Create a welcoming and helpful RLC environment in which participants, family, friends, and others important in the lives of participants are welcome, respected, and valued.
Staff
• Direct and manage the activities and job performance of RLC staff and volunteers. Hire staff appropriate to position responsibilities. Optimize program staff and volunteers’ efforts to achieve operational excellence.
• Use and train staff and volunteers to use strengths-based, recovery-oriented, motivational enhancement, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent rehabilitation approaches to help participants think through their current life circumstances compared with their hopes and plans for the future.
• Provide support and mentoring to staff and volunteers to promote team cohesiveness.
• Manage staff performance. Provide direction, training, and coaching for all programs and, if applicable, volunteers. Implement supervision, recognition and rewards programs and conduct performance review sessions and corrective action as needed for all program staff. Provide guidance on career development to all program staff. Provide consistent and direct performance feedback to volunteers if applicable. Arrange needed staff training. Maintain staff schedule. Manage staff time off to maintain operational excellence.
• Teach and consult with staff to develop and deliver helpful service interventions and programming.
• Conduct staff meetings and supervision at RLC site(s).
• Orient new program staff.
Administrative
• Ensure maintenance and safety of physical site.
• Serve as a resource for neighbors, public officials, and other providers.
• Implement evidenced-based practices are used and fidelity is measured so that participants receive services proven effective through research.
• Foster teamwork and leadership in both staff and clients served by the program.
• Meet both internal and external data collection and reporting requirements.
• Manage program quality improvement processes and strive to achieve of yearly programmatic goals and objectives.
• Manage adverse events as needed, report according to established protocols.
• Provide on-call back up and on-site support when necessary.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Lived experience of a psychiatric condition required
• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by Vinfen to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered and strengths-based values and principles and modalities
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation values, principles, and techniques
• Knowledge of the effects of prejudice (including internalized negative attitudes about oneself), discrimination, and oppression of people with psychiatric disorders, and the effects of poverty
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing, stage of change, and harm reduction techniques
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally competent services
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community and other resources
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with program clients
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of available community and mental health services, including equipment, therapies, and service providers
• Extensive knowledge of psychiatric advanced directives, self-management , and crisis intervention techniques
• Knowledge of evidence based practices and commitment to maintaining program’s fidelity to EBP standards and practices
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques
• Knowledge of organizational, strategic, participatory, collaborative skills
• Extensive knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices
• Knowledge of data-driven decision-making processes and ability to encourage others to use data analysis as needed
• Ability to provide leadership and team management to staff
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Typical Requirements:
• Lived experience of a psychiatric condition required.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in progressively responsible human services positions required.
• One or more years of supervisory experience preferred.
• A high school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credential required within 16 months of hire.
• Bi- lingual/bi-cultural applicants are encouraged to apply.

Required Certifications Post Hire:
CPR required within two weeks of hire
First Aid required within two weeks of hire
CPSS required

Driving Requirements:
May be called on to drive for Vinfen using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check. If driving, must maintain a safe driving record, which is subject to annual checks. If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.

Physical Effort:
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.

Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.

Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.