Program Director at Anchor House Ministries in Bartow, FL

Anchor House Ministries is a Christian child welfare ministry committed to helping youth and young men and women in crisis. AHM strives to provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to youth (ages 12-17), who have been referred to us by the State of Florida or private counselors. The young adult program for ages 18 – 24 serves young men and women who have aged out of foster care and need support. Residents end up at Anchor House for many reasons. Some have been orphaned, abandoned, neglected, or abused. Others are simply struggling to find their way in life. AHM staff work with residents through the treatment team, educational assessment, individual counseling, life skills training, and by simply meeting their basic human needs of nurture, food, and shelter. The team focuses on the healing of the youth so that they can manage their own emotions and build healthy relationships. The goal is family reunification or adoption, when possible, while other youth are prepared to safely navigate the transition into an adult life of independence and self-sufficiency.

Position Description

• Oversee all program operations and staff in Polk County.
• Ensure the mission and vision of Anchor House are implemented within the program.
• Ensure all documentation is completed for programs.
• Ensure all staff are supervised and trained to fulfill the mission of the organization

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Supervisor: Regional Program Director

Full-Time Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 403(b) with gift and matching options
• Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday pay.
• Accident Insurance incentive

Compensation: Depends on Experience

Hours: On Call Rotation

Accepting Applications till 9/1/2026 Expected Start Date: 10/1/2026

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience or a master’s degree in a related field.
• 1-2 years of leadership experience.
• Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Support the mission and vision of Anchor House.
• Required: Have and maintain a clear MVR (motor vehicle record).
• Must be 21 or older for insurance purposes.
• Must pass and maintain a county of residence check, federal background check, drug screen, civil check, child abuse record check, and sex registry check. (These are subject to change based on Federal and State regulations)
• Should be able to demonstrate intermediate to advanced proficiency in Word processing and spreadsheet functions, preferably Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher, as well as general email and attachment functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure quality care for all youth in the programs.
• Coordinate with the therapist to ensure quality care of the youth.
• Attend Service Plan and Treatment Team meetings as needed
• Ensure life skill lessons, nurture groups, and activities are completed and documented with all youth.
• Handle program concerns after hours and on weekends.
• Complete monthly DHOH report.
• Serve as the acting SPOC for Civil Rights.
• Assist with monthly documentation and reporting
• Review and submit all incident reports within 24 hours. Submit reports on IRAS as needed.
• Assist with documenting and reviewing placement requests.
• Complete the admission process and ensure that timely and accurate documentation is completed.
• Oversees educational programming
• Plan and implement staff scheduling
• Ensure the client census is accurate and up to date
• Complete supply orders for the program
• Monitor the program budget
• Ensure the weekly program schedule is prepared, and all supplies are prepared
• Oversee yearly menu and health department reviews
• Monitor all medication management and ensure compliance
• Ensure required postings and documentation are provided for the program.
• Assist with scheduling and overseeing nonclinical interns.
• Complete regular walk-throughs of the facility and notify the appropriate people of program and facility needs.
• Ensure compliance of client files and documentation
• Assist with preparation for yearly licensing reviews.
• Work with the team to meet program goals and implement corrective action and improvement plans.
• Work with team members of all backgrounds and make creating a culture of respect and inclusivity a priority.
• Provide services in a way that is sensitive to diverse cultures and socioeconomic populations.
• Make quality control and risk management a part of your daily focus and participate in data review and analysis as needed.

Supervisor Duties:

• Supervise the Administrative position for the program
• Manage all Youth Engagement Specialists in Polk County
• Delegate and oversee work assignments.
• Ensure service delivery is performed according to the organization's mission, policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide regularly scheduled supervision and coaching with positive and critical feedback.
  • Maintain documentation of supervision in a running log that includes date and time, name of employee, and a summary of the key points covered.
• Provide flexible support in the event of a crisis or critical event.
• Identify training needs and encourage further development among their employees.
• Assist personnel in increasing their skills and utilizing their training by helping them set performance goals, modeling the skills, or observing the personnel to provide constructive feedback.
• Utilize incentives, personal goals, initiatives, formal supervision, disciplinary write-ups, or improvement plans to ensure the mission of the organization and policies and procedures are being followed.
• Identify the strengths of each employee and assign tasks or modify job descriptions based on their strengths and capabilities. (Note: Any modifications to the job description must be approved by leadership)
• Monitor, recognize, and respond to work-related stress concerns by monitoring workloads, providing peer support, helping employees manage their time, and offering employee services as applicable.
• Provide additional support to new personnel, personnel who have experienced a traumatic event with the service population, personnel who are working to develop competencies or specific licensure/certification, or those with higher caseloads than normal.
  • More frequent supervision
  • Additional training or shadowing opportunities
  • Crisis response and support

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Competent in the use of the telephone system, computer, and other office equipment.
• Ability to work and interact well with other people.
• Able to accept direction and responsibility.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information and situations.

Physical Requirements

• Independently perform (with or without accommodations):
  • Possess auditory, olfactory, and visual skills.
  • Exhibit manual dexterity and mobility.
  • Walk and/or stand for extended periods of time.
  • Lift and/or carry up to 25-50 pounds from the floor to waist level or higher at least several times per day, and be able to carry the object for a distance of 6 feet.
  • Handle, install, position, and move items such as materials, equipment, and supplies.
  • Be able to physically intervene should an altercation commence between residents and de-escalation techniques have failed.

Cognitive Abilities

• Independently perform (with or without accommodations):
  • Function in a structured environment within significant time constraints, make rapid decisions in urgent situations, and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrate good judgment and make appropriate professional and procedural judgment decisions under stressful and/or emergency conditions, emergent demands, and distracting environments.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to assist with and perform a wide variety of procedures common to the residential care setting.
  • Access information from books, reference manuals, computers, and paper and electronic medical documents to perform duties safely and use equipment.
  • Prioritize, organize, and utilize time-management skills to perform tasks.

Training Required

At least 40 hours annually of DCF, AHCA, and COA trainings. Professional Development in the area of trauma-informed care and leadership is annually.