Assistant Director, Youth Residential Services

About the role

Location: Nixa, MO.

Department: Youth Residential

Employment Type: Full-time

Shift: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Youth Residential Services provides operational and clinical leadership for a youth residential treatment program. This role ensures a safe, therapeutic, and trauma-informed environment while overseeing daily operations, supervising team members, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, and supporting continuous program improvement.

The Assistant Director position offers

• All-Inclusive Employee Benefits Package - A robust full-time employee benefits package encompassing health, dental, vision, retirement, disability, life insurance, wellness program, and more
• Telemedicine - 24/7 phone, web, or mobile app medical, behavioral health, & dermatology visits
• Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Paid Time Off - 29 days per year including vacation & holiday pay
• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting healthy, joyful workforce engagement

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain residential program structure, policies, and procedures.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate residential team members, including shift leads and therapeutic specialists.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure safety, therapeutic engagement, and adherence to treatment plans.
• Review and follow up on incident reports to maintain compliance with licensing and accreditation standards.
• Support team member training, professional development, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with clinical teams, families, and external partners to support youth progress and transitions.
• Participate in quality assurance, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide leadership and guidance during high-acuity situations and participate in on-call rotation.
• Contribute to strategic planning and resource management to advance program goals.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, youth development, and residential treatment practices.
• Understanding of regulatory and accreditation standards for residential programs.
• Skilled in team supervision, coaching, and performance management.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal abilities.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage high-acuity situations.
• Ability to foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in documentation, reporting, and use of electronic health record systems.

Experience and/or Education Qualifications

• Master's degree in human services or related field required.
• Missouri licensure as a mental health practitioner (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT) preferred.
• Two years of experience in youth residential or therapeutic settings.

Supervisory Requirements

• Communicate the strategic direction of the organization and encourage participation by all employees.
• Provide leadership and guidance to all aspects of the department.
• Take an active role in monitoring the identification, development, and execution of strategic objectives.
• Involve, as appropriate, all employees to achieve their goals.
• Effectively communicate to employees about any changes and newsworthy events within the department or company.
• Manage difficult employee situations directly, using appropriate discretion and Human Resource advice to show respect for the individual.
• Champion changes and effectively manages the implementation of innovative ideas.
• Reinforce team approach throughout functions; support and solicit input from team members at all levels within the company.

Employment Requirements

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check.
• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
• All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
• Current driver's license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.

Physical Requirements

ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (exists up the 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift.

Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Perks & Benefits

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package

• full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more
• Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive
• Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within
• Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness.

Brightli is on a Mission

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

• We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
• Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.