Full time- Exempt/Salary

• $1,500 Sign-on Bonus
• Housing Resources Available
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Benefits include: Health; Dental; Vision; Life and Disability Insurance; Employer-Matching 403B; Sick/Personal/Vacation Time; Flexible Spending and Dependent Care

ASL proficiency required

TLC Diversity Statement:

The Learning Center for the Deaf is on a journey to create an inclusive and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates our TLC community members' diverse narratives. We embrace and value multiple approaches, experiences, and perspectives. TLC believes that diversity fosters innovation. We are committed to cultivating a place where everyone can feel they belong.

About Walden School:

Walden School (WS) is a nationally-recognized residential, therapeutic, education program for deaf children and youth ages 7 to 22. Walden School utilizes a trauma-informed approach to serve students with behavioral health challenges, and have treatment needs that have not been successfully addressed in other academic and residential settings. Working with a team of staff that are proficient in American Sign Language (over 75% of whom are Deaf), Walden students receive highly individualized, trauma-informed care and therapy in a structured, supportive, home-like setting. Students attend classes during the day with curriculum modified to each individual need, and have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and athletics on campus with their Marie Philip student peers.

About TLC:
The Learning Center for the Deaf is a nationally-recognized leader of services for deaf and hard of hearing children, adults and families. To learn more, click here.

For our Mission, click here.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Walden School as an education program, reports directly to the Superintendent. This role is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of Walden School administration, ensuring quality educational, therapeutic, and recreational programming, recruitment, compliance, safety, efficiency, communication, staff relations, financial objectives, program development and strategic planning.  

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Oversight

• Ensure high quality therapeutic programming that reflects child-centered, strength-based focus, and a trauma informed care approach to treatment
• Ensure equity and inclusion is at the center of all programming
• Maintain a welcoming environment for all youth and their families/caregivers, ensuring they are involved and engaged in their child’s treatment, and act in an advisory capacity to program development.

Program Development, Strategic Planning and Quality

• First and foremost, in collaboration with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction & Director of Student Services, ensure that Walden School is a place of healing, fun, learning, creative experience and expression, inclusive of all students and staff, a place where they can learn, grow and belong. 
• Take responsibility for growth of the program and services by establishing and implementing a plan to ensure that schools and agencies serving children who might need Walden School services are kept informed of program development and current or anticipated openings.
• Ensure the completion of the necessary documentation to obtain and retain accreditations and licenses.
• With the leadership team, develop short and long-range goals for ensuring quality programming and expansion of services.
• Ensure that Walden School is represented as presenters and participants in conferences and publications relevant to the mission of the program.
• Pursue options for the development of services as alternatives, or in addition to, residential treatment for the population served.
• Work with the Advancement Office to identify and pursue grants and contracts applicable to the services of Walden School.
• Work collaboratively, and in the spirit of advocacy, with state agencies to improve the quality of services for the population served.
• Ensure ongoing communication with  parents and guardians to obtain their input regarding the needs of their child and to keep them informed of services and progress, and promote a spirit of inclusion and belonging.
• Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the program. 

Program Administration

• Develop an annual program budget, with support from the Superintendent, to be managed monthly and reviewed quarterly for adjustments. 
• Work with the Walden School leadership team to develop, keep current and revise policies and procedures.
• Lead the interviewing and hiring process for all Walden School leadership positions. Oversee and approve all hiring for direct care positions.
• Ensure that the program meets the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and all other relevant agencies as may be required; maintain licenses and contracts with these agencies.
• Recruit new students to Walden School and participate actively in nationwide education and marketing of Walden School. 
• Participate as a collaborating and pivotal member of the The Learning Center for the Deaf’s Leadership team. 

Supervision

• Model leadership. 
• Provide direct supervision and support to the Walden School leadership team as a leader that inspires excellence and compassion.
• Ensure that quality educational, therapeutic and residential services are provided in a manner compatible with the mission and philosophy of Walden School.

Financial Objectives

• Operate the day-to-day operations within budget parameters, including minimizing overtime and other controllable expenses. 
• Maintain responsibility for creation, submission and adherence to the Walden School Annual Budget. 
• Approve payroll bi-weekly.
• Approve payments in alignment with the mission, strategic plan and budget parameters. 
• Communicate regularly the financial status of Walden School, and execute plans to administer corrective financial action as needed. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

• Advanced degree in human services, business administration, or related field. 
• A minimum of 5 years leadership experience is required. 
  • Experience as a human services professional working with deaf children or adolescents with emotional/behavioral challenges preferred. 
• A native, or near native fluency in American Sign Language. 
• Have heart, passion and strong core belief in the success of Deaf children.
• Be inspired by having fun and creating environments where others enjoy to work, live and learn!