Clinical Program Director School-Based K-12

CLINICAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

About the Role

Effective School Solutions (ESS) is a well-established rapidly growing organization changing the nature of in-school mental health services for K-12 students.

The Clinical Program Director leads the clinical and operational success of ESSs program at NuView Academy supporting K-12 students with the highest level of need many of whom are stepping down from hospitalization or residential care or could not be safely maintained in a traditional public school. This is a high-responsibility high-impact role: youll provide leadership to clinical staff own program operations and serve as the primary point of contact between ESS and school leadership all while making sure some of the highest-need students in the state get the intensive care they need to stabilize and move forward.

This role is built for a seasoned independently licensed clinician who is ready to lead at a program level. Its a fast-paced environment where priorities shift quickly so comfort anticipating needs before theyre voiced and making sound decisions with incomplete information goes a long way. You bring deep clinical expertise with acute high-need student populations real experience managing and developing clinical leaders and teams and the relationship-building skills to earn trust with school and state education leadership return youll get a structured well-resourced program to run a team of experienced clinical and educational leaders behind you and the kind of ownership that comes with building something that works plus extensive training in ESS protocols systems and service models as you get started.

What Youll Do

Clinical Leadership

• Provide weekly individual clinical supervision (9 hours/week) to Clinicians and Mental Health Technicians including consultation and oversight for individual group and family interventions.

• Lead weekly consultation meetings on treatment planning progress monitoring and documentation compliance.

• Represent ESS in IEP meetings manifestation determinations disciplinary hearings and re-entry planning following hospitalization or disciplinary action.

• Coordinate care across families school staff psychiatrists and community providers so students move smoothly across the full continuum of care.

• Collaborate directly with the psychiatrist on medication management appointment setting confirmation and follow-through with families and the school nurse acting as the bridge between psychiatry and the school.

• Build strong multidisciplinary partnerships that support students academic behavioral and emotional success.

• Lead family engagement efforts including a monthly in-person parent support group parent meetings and educational programming.

• Serve as the programs go-to expert for managing crises and high-risk student situations and be available by phone to support staff providing after-hours family therapy.

Program & Operational Leadership

• Own day-to-day program operations and people management for the clinical team staffing scheduling adherence to ESS standards performance feedback annual reviews and corrective action in partnership with the Clinical Regional Director and HR.

• Partner with ESSs Regional Recruiting Manager on interviewing and hiring clinical staff.

• Serve as the primary point of contact with school and district leadership on program needs outcomes and student support and report program progress to district and ESS leadership.

• Identify potential clinical relationship or staffing issues early and resolve them independently and effectively.

• Coordinate with school leaders on tours referrals and assessment scheduling for prospective students and families.

• Step in to cover clinical coverage gaps when needed.

• Ensure clinical documentation is accurate timely and compliant with ESS ethical and regulatory standards.

• Track and analyze program data (attendance behavior academics utilization) and turn it into action plans that close performance gaps.

• Represent ESS professionally across the district traveling as needed to support your team.

What You Bring

• Masters degree in Social Work Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy or a related mental health field.

• Active independent clinical license (LCSW LPC LMFT) in NJ.

• Certification to provide clinical supervision.

• 68 years providing clinical services to children and adolescents with significant behavioral emotional or mental health challenges.

• 35 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a clinical setting.

• Proven ability to build trust and strong working relationships with school administrators district leaders families and community partners.

• Strong leadership communication organizational and project management skills with a solution-focused approach to problem solving.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation/EHR systems.

Preferred

• Prior experience in a school-based mental health program.

• Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams.

• Comfort using data to drive clinical and operational decisions.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $90000$95000 based on experience and licensure.

• Health dental and vision coverage.

• 401K plan with employer match.

• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.

• PTO and paid holidays.

• Access to CEUs and professional development.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plus access to discount programs for entertainment/travel and a childcare network.

Why Join Effective School Solutions

• Be part of a mission-driven organization addressing the growing mental health needs of children and adolescents.

• Work alongside experienced clinical and educational leaders dedicated to improving student outcomes.

• Step into a real leadership track: this role is a launchpad toward regional and multi-site clinical leadership opportunities.

• Contribute your expertise to an organization that values clinician voice collaboration and continuous improvement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race color sex age national origin religion sexual orientation gender identity and/or expression status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal state or local protected class.

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