State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Children and Families, Wilderness School, this class is accountable for directing program services.

• Directs staff and operations of the Wilderness School;
• Coordinates, plans and manages School activities; 
• Formulates program goals and objectives; 
• Develops or assists in development of related policy; 
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Develops and monitors budgets for program areas;
• Maintains contact with individuals and organizations within and outside of agency which might impact on program activities;
• Assists in directing and coordinating allocation of staff and resources to maintain service delivery system or program;
• Manages systems and/or programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and department mandates;
• Identifies training and development needs of staff;  
• Speaks before professional and lay groups; 
• Represents Commissioner in community and public relations activities; 
• Prepares and/or analyzes management reports including reports detailing activities, program operations and client statistics; 
• Evaluates programs and professional social work services provided to children and families;
• Identifies needs of children and families for purposes of determining available community resources; 
• Reviews work for general efficiency and effectiveness with target client populations;
• Negotiates personal services agreements and contracts for services with organizations seeking access to School programs;
• Coordinates and monitors progress of any School capital projects; 
• Provides crisis intervention when necessary to aid staff in handling extreme client interactions; 
• Assesses clients who exhibit severe emotional disturbance or dysfunction;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;  
  • modern principles and practices of preventive, corrective and remedial treatment of delinquent and pre-delinquent youth; 
  • educational principles and practices; 
  • Outward Bound educational philosophy and methodology; 
• Knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • business management practices including general ledger accounting, grants management and contract administration; 
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Advanced wilderness instructor skills. 

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity with an additional two (2) years of experience in adventure education, adaptive Outward Bound, or an equivalent wilderness expedition program setting with emphasis in outdoor leadership, group management and safety, positive youth development and prevention and intervention practices for at risk youth.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Youth Wilderness School Field Program Supervisor.

• College education may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree or other advanced degree in the behavioral sciences, public administration, education, social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• A Master’s degree in counseling, education, psychology or social work or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Children and Families Program Director – Wilderness School in Salary Group MP 66 approved effective April 22, 2022. (Reviewed in accordance with Connecticut General Statute § 5-200a) Final No. 24-056