Program Director Jobs in Ridgewood, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Title:                            Program Director

Unit:                            Congregate Housing -Castle III

Report to:                    Senior Director of Transitional Housing 

Status:                          Full Time; Regular; Exempt

Salary:                         $75,000 annually 

Location:                     East Harlem, NYC

Days/Hours:                Days and Evening Hours 

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. 

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget, with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our participant population mirrors the incarcerated population in being approximately 85% male and over 90% people of color. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

Position Summary:

To perform this role successfully, the Program Director must be able to execute all essential responsibilities effectively. The Program Director oversees multiple interrelated projects, ensuring they align with organizational objectives and deliver measurable value through strategic planning and coordination. Reporting to the Senior Director, the Program Director is accountable for the oversight and delivery of case management services within the permanent supportive housing program.

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit: Mission, Culture and Fit: Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core cultural value so that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to influence and guide others toward a shared goal. It involves motivating, inspiring, and empowering individuals or teams to work collaboratively and achieve success.

Communication: Demonstrate the ability to effectively convey and receive information, ideas, and messages, both verbally and nonverbally, which are crucial for building relationships, collaborating, and achieving goals.

Organizational Skills: Organizational skills are the abilities that help you effectively structure, prioritize, and manage tasks, time, and resources to achieve goals efficiently. They’re valuable in both professional and personal settings because they boost productivity, reduce stress, and improve reliability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Oversee day-to-day operations of Case Managers, Senior Case Managers, and Clinical staff.   
• Maintain, develop, and implement strategic operational systems that will enhance programmatic reports and evaluation.  
• Ensure quality and detailed documentation. 
• Facilitate weekly community meetings, which require the ability to work one evening per week.  
• Review referrals for placement within congregate housing. Collaborate with HRA, DOHMH, OTDA, emergency, and transitional housing programs.
• Ability to present at Fortune Society and funder events on effective housing outcomes and best practices.  
• Act as liaison internally within Fortune to ensure continuity of treatment 
• Research, evaluate, and maintain linkage agreements with outside client service resources. 
• Ensure effective coordination, evaluation, and continuous improvement of program operations 
• Develop and maintain growth-oriented strategies that increase housing stability and programmatic efficacy. 
• Conduct individual supervision sessions with staff and facilitate group staff meetings as needed.
• Develop and coach high-performing team members, empowering them to increase their responsibility, span of control, and overall performance.
• Provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred. Minimum of five years of supervisory experience in a similar setting working with underserved and justice-impacted populations.
• Strong knowledge of case management practices and housing support resources for individuals with criminal justice involvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, leadership, problem-solving, and follow-up abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and related computer applications.
• Ability to motivate, engage, and support disenfranchised populations in accessing needed social services.
• Valid driver’s license with a safe and reliable driving record.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who are strongly committed to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements: 

This position requires weekly on-site availability and travel to various Fortune housing and program locations as required.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, or marital status.