Who is Riverbend?
Riverbend provides top tier addiction recovery treatment, behavioral health services, and community re-entry services.
At Riverbend, we are devoted to providing the highest quality care to those we serve and to assemble a professional and compassionate, determined, yet patient employee team to deliver exceptional service.
Job Description: Program Director at Ray of Light Recovery Café
Our Peer Recovery Support Center was founded on the truth that ALL human beings have immeasurable value and potential regardless of addictive behaviors, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, mental and emotional anguish, trauma, or mistakes made. We provide a beautiful, safe, all-inclusive space and loving community where members feel encouraged to grow into their potential and live self-directed lives – at their own pace and on their own terms.
Ray of Light Recovery Café (ROLRC) is a Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) contracted peer-run day program that promotes support, stability, and human connection and upholds the belief that recovery is possible for everyone. Riverbend utilizes the Recovery Café Model in its Peer Recovery Support Center, which abides by the guiding principles to live reflectively, respect oneself and others, cultivate compassion, practice forgiveness and encourage growth.
OUR PURPOSE, SOCIAL IMPACT, AND AGENCY CULTURE
With the opioid and other drug overdose epidemic affecting our country, we have been at the forefront and the premier, non-profit organization for almost fifty years in the Merrimack Valley and extended areas addressing this problem.
The purpose of our existence has been to assist members of our local community in receiving recovery support, treatment and overcoming substance use disorder through addiction treatment and peer recovery support services like recovery coaching and our two peer recovery support centers.
Riverbend is also a mission focused agency that provides a relaxed, friendly, and supportive work culture that offers excellent pay and a generous benefits package to all our employees.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for a full-time Program Director to join the Haverhill Peer Recovery Support Center (PRSC) team. We are looking for a candidate who aligns with the Recovery Café Model and its guiding principles. We are also looking for someone who believes in the impact that love and an authentic human connection has on a person’s recovery. We support a diverse workplace and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Riverbend is proud to serve an extremely diverse population through our various programs regardless of their race, color, religion, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Because we strive to mirror the population we serve, we strongly encourage those who possess, come from, or identify with any of the characteristics named above to apply.
DESIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Our ideal person will possess a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. S/he should be able to demonstrate cultural humility; has completed or is willing to complete the Recovery Coach Academy and will work towards Recovery Coach certification (CARC) and possess a thorough understanding of the RC Model and capable of applying this knowledge in a variety of settings. S/he will need to be an effective team member with an ability to work effectively with co-workers and members. This person possesses proficient computer skills. Strong ability to connect and communicate with others is important. Having relationships with providers and other community organizations in Haverhill is an advantage.
POSITION Program Director, Ray of Light Recovery Café
REPORTS TO Director of Recovery Support Services
This is a full-time, salaried leadership position with an expected schedule of 40 hours per week. As a leadership role, flexibility is required, and additional hours outside of a standard schedule may be necessary to meet the responsibilities and demands of the position, including hours of operation, program coverage, supervision, meetings, and organizational needs.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, operations, and program implementation of Ray of Light Recovery Cafe, a member-driven Peer Recovery Support Center (PRSC) grounded in the Recovery Café Network model and aligned with Massachusetts BSAS Peer Recovery Support Center contract expectations.
The Program Director ensures the Café operates as a safe, welcoming, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented community that embraces radical hospitality, loving accountability, and multiple pathways of recovery. This position oversees daily programming, staff supervision, volunteer coordination, member engagement, community partnerships, compliance, reporting, and operational sustainability.
The Program Director will foster a culture of dignity, compassion, belonging, and empowerment while maintaining fidelity to the Recovery Café model and all applicable BSAS standards.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Operations
- Oversee daily operations of Ray of Light Recovery Cafe, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
- Ensure programming aligns with BSAS PRSC contract requirements and Recovery Café Network standards.
- Maintain fidelity to the Recovery Café model, including recovery circles, member engagement, peer support, and community-building activities.
- Coordinate and oversee Café schedules, programming calendars, special events, and community activities.
- Ensure the Café environment remains drug and alcohol free, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented.
- Develop and maintain operational procedures, schedules, and program systems.
Staff Supervision & Team Development
- Supervise, support, and evaluate program staff, peer leaders, volunteers, and interns.
- Provide regular supervision, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, communication, and mutual respect.
- Assist in hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management of staff.
- Support staff in maintaining professional boundaries and ethical peer support practices.
Member Engagement & Recovery Support
- Foster meaningful member engagement through relationship-building and community participation.
- Support implementation of member-driven programming that reflects multiple pathways of recovery.
- Ensure members are connected to recovery supports, resources, and community services as needed.
- Promote member leadership opportunities, volunteerism, and peer involvement.
- Support a culture centered on hope, healing, dignity, and belonging.
Compliance, Documentation & Reporting
- Ensure compliance with BSAS standards, agency policies, confidentiality requirements, and program expectations.
- Monitor and support timely completion of required documentation, data collection, and reporting.
- Maintain accurate records in electronic documentation systems including ESM, Credible, and other required databases.
- Prepare reports, outcome data, and program updates as required by leadership and funders.
- Support contract deliverables, audits, and quality improvement activities.
Community Outreach & Partnerships
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners, treatment providers, recovery organizations, healthcare providers, and local stakeholders.
- Represent Ray of Light Recovery Cafe at community meetings, coalitions, and public events.
- Promote awareness of Ray of Light Recovery Cafe and Recovery Support Services throughout the community.
- Support outreach and referral development efforts.
Fiscal & Administrative Oversight
- Assist with budget oversight, purchasing, and resource management.
- Monitor program needs, supplies, and facility operations.
As part of a collaborative team, this role may include occasional coverage at other Riverbend RSS sites (per instruction from supervisor) to ensure continuity of services. Team members are expected to assist with tasks outside of their specific role when needed to support the overall mission and daily operations of the PRSC.
Core Competencies
- Radical Hospitality
- Loving Accountability
- Trauma-Informed Leadership
- Relationship Building
- Community Engagement
- Ethical Peer Support
- Program Management
- Team Leadership
- Cultural Humility
- Communication & Collaboration
REQUIREMENTS
▪ Valid driver’s license
▪ High school diploma or equivalent
▪ CARC (Certified Addiction Recovery Coach) or willingness to obtain
▪ Lived experience with recovery and experience working within peer recovery support services
▪ A desire to learn and grow within the organization
▪ Communicate clearly and timely
▪ Demonstrate cultural competency
▪ Strong organizational and multitasking skills
▪ Demonstrate the ability to actively listen and respond to questions and concerns of PRSC members, staff, etc.
▪ Able to self-direct, solve problems and manage one’s time independently
▪ Possess a thorough understanding of the Recovery Coach/Peer model and can apply this knowledge in different
settings
▪ Understand and support multiple pathways of recovery
▪ Possess the ability to work positively with coworkers and PRSC members
▪ Possess proficient computer skills.
Cover Letter Highly accepted
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
