EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – CHILD WELFARE AGENCY
New Leaf Youth Services Inc.Chicago, IllinoisFull-Time | Salaried | On-SiteSalary Range: $90,000–$100,000 annually
ABOUT NEW LEAF YOUTH SERVICES INC.
New Leaf Youth Services Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization preparing to become a licensed Illinois child welfare agency and operate a residential group home serving youth ages 7–21.
Our mission is to provide safe, structured, nurturing and developmentally appropriate residential services for youth involved in foster care, emergency placements and other circumstances requiring supportive out-of-home care.
New Leaf Youth Services Inc. is seeking an experienced, compassionate and highly organized Executive Director to lead the agency through licensing, program development and the opening and operation of its first residential group home.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director is a full-time leadership employee appointed by and accountable to the Board of Directors. This individual will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of New Leaf Youth Services Inc. and for implementing the policies, procedures and strategic direction established by the Board.
The Executive Director will lead the organization’s child welfare agency licensing process, oversee regulatory compliance, supervise agency leadership, develop administrative systems and help prepare the organization for residential operations.
The successful candidate must understand Illinois child welfare requirements and be able to work collaboratively with the Board of Directors, licensing representatives, employees, community partners, referral sources and funding organizations.
WORK LOCATION AND SCHEDULE
This is a full-time, on-site position with no regular remote-work component.
The Executive Director will generally work:
- Four days per week at New Leaf Youth Services Inc.’s administrative headquarters, located at 1200 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois One day per week at the residential program site once established Additional time at the residential site when required for licensing visits, admissions, inspections, staff concerns, critical incidents or operational needs
The Executive Director will participate in a rotating after-hours administrative on-call schedule with other qualified leadership personnel. The Executive Director will not be expected to remain personally on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The schedule and assigned work location may change according to licensing requirements and organizational or resident needs.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
- Lead and coordinate the Illinois child welfare agency licensing process Maintain ongoing compliance with applicable Illinois laws, licensing standards and agency policies Serve as a primary administrative contact for Illinois DCFS and other applicable regulatory agencies Remain available to the licensing authority upon request Prepare the organization for licensing reviews, inspections, monitoring visits and audits Ensure that required licenses, permits, insurance, reports and organizational records remain current Monitor corrective-action plans and ensure that identified concerns are resolved promptly Maintain working knowledge of applicable child welfare, mandated-reporting and residential-care requirements Immediately address concerns affecting the health, safety and welfare of residents
Organizational Leadership
- Manage the agency’s daily administrative operations Carry out policies, procedures and strategic priorities approved by the Board of Directors Provide regular operational, licensing, financial and program reports to the Board Help establish a professional, trauma-informed and youth-centered organizational culture Develop short-term and long-term operational goals Identify organizational risks and recommend appropriate corrective action Represent New Leaf professionally in meetings with government agencies, funders, community organizations and service partners Appoint or recommend a qualified supervisor or manager to act on behalf of the Executive Director when the Executive Director is unavailable during an emergency
Program Oversight
- Oversee the development and implementation of New Leaf’s residential youth services Monitor program quality, resident safety, staffing practices and compliance with approved policies Work closely with the House Manager, Program Director, child welfare personnel and direct-care staff Conduct regular visits to the residential program and review its operations Ensure that services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive and appropriate for each resident Review serious incidents, complaints, grievances and safety concerns Ensure that resident records, service documentation and required reports are complete and properly maintained Support the development of educational, behavioral, recreational, life-skills and family-engagement services
Personnel Management
- Recruit, interview and recommend qualified employees Ensure that personnel meet applicable education, experience, background-check and training requirements Supervise and evaluate assigned leadership and administrative personnel Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures Coordinate employee orientation, mandated-reporter training and continuing professional development Monitor staffing levels and assist with maintaining adequate shift and on-call coverage Respond appropriately to personnel concerns, performance issues and policy violations Promote respectful communication, teamwork and professional boundaries
Financial and Administrative Management
- Help develop and administer the organization’s annual operating budget Work with the Board, bookkeeper, accountant and other professionals to maintain responsible financial practices Monitor expenditures, contracts, purchasing and use of organizational resources Assist with grant applications, government contracts, fundraising and sustainability planning Provide information needed for audits, tax filings, grant reports and regulatory reviews Help ensure that payroll, insurance, recordkeeping and internal controls are properly maintained Protect confidential employee, resident and organizational information
Community and Government Relations
- Develop professional relationships with referral sources, schools, health providers, behavioral-health professionals and community organizations Participate in meetings with state representatives, licensing personnel and funding partners Promote New Leaf’s mission and services throughout the community Identify partnership and funding opportunities that support the organization’s growth
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must satisfy at least one of the following Illinois qualification pathways:
- Master of Social Work degree from an accredited school of social work and at least three years of work experience in social work administration; OR Master’s degree in a human-services field from an accredited institution and at least five years of work experience in human-services administration; OR Master of Business Administration or Master’s degree in Health Administration and at least five years of administrative experience
An Executive Director qualifying through an MBA or Health Administration degree will not function as the child welfare supervisor. New Leaf will maintain a separately qualified child welfare supervisor as required.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstrated knowledge of child welfare, residential services, foster care or human-services administration Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance, program development and organizational management Ability to communicate effectively with licensing authorities and the Board of Directors Strong leadership, problem-solving, documentation and decision-making abilities Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information Ability to respond appropriately to emergencies and critical incidents Ability to work at both the administrative headquarters and residential program site Ability to participate in a rotating after-hours administrative on-call schedule Successful completion of all required criminal-background, fingerprint and child-abuse and neglect registry checks Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and ability to travel between New Leaf locations and required meetings Mandated-reporter acknowledgment and completion of required training Proficiency with email, Microsoft Office or comparable programs, electronic records and administrative reporting systems
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous Executive Director, senior administrator or program leadership experience within an Illinois child welfare agency Experience with Illinois child welfare agency licensing and group-home licensing Experience opening or expanding a residential youth program Knowledge of trauma-informed care and services for youth with behavioral or emotional needs Experience with nonprofit governance, budgeting, grants, contracts and program evaluation Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams Familiarity with Illinois DCFS reporting, documentation and compliance expectations
COMPENSATION
The salary range is $90,000–$100,000 annually, based on the selected candidate’s education, administrative experience, child welfare knowledge and overall qualifications.
This is intended to be a salaried, exempt executive-management position, subject to applicable wage-and-hour requirements.
BENEFITS
- Paid leave and paid sick and safe leave in accordance with applicable Chicago requirements Paid holidays according to New Leaf’s approved personnel policies Participation in professional development and required training Additional health, dental, vision and retirement benefits may be considered as organizational funding and operations grow
New Leaf does not currently promise medical, dental, vision or retirement benefits. Any benefits offered at the time of employment will be stated in the candidate’s written offer.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Please submit:
- Current résumé Cover letter explaining your interest in New Leaf Youth Services Inc. Copy or verification of the qualifying master’s degree Description of relevant administrative and child welfare experience Three professional references
Employment is contingent upon verification of education and experience, satisfactory references, required background clearances and approval of the candidate’s qualifications for the position.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
New Leaf Youth Services Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience and organizational needs without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status or any other status protected by applicable law.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Education:
Experience:
- Social work: 3 years (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Chicago, IL 60622 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
