Child Advocacy Center Program Director

Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Program Director

Is responsible for oversight, direction and management of the Child Protection Team and/or Children’s Advocacy Centers. Overall, the CAC contributes to CHS high performance culture by exhibiting our values and providing quality results that position CHS as the leader in delivering proactive behavioral health, case management, community and early childhood solutions for children and families.

• Make an impact in your community and become a part of Florida's history!
• Growth and professional development opportunities
• Implement, coordinate and manage a group of services for the region’s Child Protection Programs (CPT and VOCA) and all operations of the Children’s Advocacy Center, to include victim advocacy and community education.
• Oversee that the program meets all CHS, NCA, DOH, COA, licensing, contractual and quality management standards and requirements.
• Direct and/or assist in contract and grant renewal process for programs.
• Develop and implement new CPT/CAC practices that improve the quality of service to clients.
• Participate in fund‑raising and grant writing activities as needed.
• Develop and regularly monitor annual program budget; manage budget so that program costs do not exceed budgetary constraints.
• Provide clinical consultation to program staff. Provide case direction and field expertise to teams.
• Establish and maintain positive collaborative relationships with relevant agencies.
• Represent CHS at pertinent meetings/functions.
• Perform regular site visits for quality purposes.
• May serve as a member of the Region’s Management Team.
• Assist with client services that may include direct service provision, such as interviews, advocacy, and client assistance.
• Manage conflict with clients.
• Recruit, develop and lead a team capable of supporting CHS performance and growth strategies (complying with COA Standard TS, when appropriate), while fostering an engaging, positive work environment.
• Recruit, supervise and support team members and foster their professional development, including the transfer of knowledge obtained through training.
• Establish annual team goals and objectives; track and report results.
• Coach, support and evaluate team member performance, taking corrective action if needed.
• Deliver timely communication through regular management and team meetings.
• Comply and confirm compliance with CHS code of conduct, policies, practices and other legal obligations.
• Implementing policies and practices designed to prevent, recognize and respond to work‑related stress.
• Participate in succession planning to build the bench strength necessary for future talent needs.
• Develop a strong knowledge base and stay current on job‑related issues and trends.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings, training and education, as well as the quality process.
• Pick up projects on the fly; perform other duties as assigned from time to time.
• Demonstrate the CHS Common Bond values in the performance of all job duties.

Job Qualifications

Education, Licenses & Certifications:

• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in a Human Services related field, Psychology, Social Work, or Nursing from an accredited university, required.
• Florida Driver’s License within 30 days from hire with daily access to a reliable and insured vehicle, required.

Experience:

• At least three years’ post‑degree experience in the field of child abuse and neglect, to include at least one year’s experience in Child Protection Services (Child Protective Investigations, Community Based Care Case Management, Child Protection Teams), required.
• Two years supervisory experience, required.
• Experience in fundraising, grant writing and development, preferred.

Knowledge of:

• VARIOUS COMMUNITY RESOURCES | SOCIAL SERVICES | SOCIO‑CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SERVICE POPULATION

Skills and Proficiency in:

• Planning, organization and time management, oral and written communication.
• Interpersonal relationship building, collaboration, teamwork.
• Computer systems and MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Ability to:

• Perform at a high level of autonomy, with general supervision.
• Perform under strong demands in fast‑paced, diverse, sometimes ambiguous environments.
• Handle stressful, sensitive situations; preserve confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Meet critical deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Solve practical problems and document results using sound judgment.
• Commit to providing high customer satisfaction with positive service delivery results.
• Demonstrate the behaviors of our CHS Common Bond Values.
• Be energetic, passionate and adaptable with a deep commitment to social service, empathy for children and families and a positive approach to embracing and managing change.
• Supervise others, with coaching skills that result in accomplishing goals through direct reports.
• Interact effectively with children/families from diverse backgrounds, being sensitive to service population’s cultural/socio‑economic characteristics.
• Set appropriate limits and boundaries with clients.

The incumbent will work a standard scheduled week, which may include weekends, holidays and evenings. The ability to work flexible hours is required to meet business needs. If working remotely, incumbent will be required to be available by telephone and email during specified hours. Travel will be on an as‑needed basis to conduct business‑related activities. In the event of a declared disaster or emergency, an Essential Services Delivery position will be required to provide for the overall welfare of CHS clients when interruption of services could endanger their life, health or personal safety.

All applicants are subject to background screening through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). For more information, visit

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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