Program Director

Program: 988 Tribal Response

Job Title: Program Director

Salary: Commiserate with experience

Employment Type: Grant Funded / Limited-term Position (Est. 3 yrs)

Hrs./WK: 37.5/ Monday – Friday

Job Location: Providence, RI; Regional Travel is Required (RI, MA, CT)

The Rhode Island Indian Council (RIIC) has served Native American communities for more than 50 years throughout New England and the surrounding region. RIIC is committed to culturally responsive services and to strengthening access to resources, opportunities, behavioral health support, employment services, and community-based programs.

Position Summary

The Rhode Island Indian Council (RIIC) is seeking an experienced and highly organized Project Director to lead the implementation and management of RIIC's SAMHSA 988 Tribal Response Cooperative Agreement.

The Project Director will be responsible for ensuring that the project is implemented according to the approved grant application, Notice of Award, work plan, budget, timelines, and SAMHSA requirements. The position will coordinate program activities, staff, partners, community engagement, reporting, data collection, and grant deliverables.

The ideal candidate will have experience in mental health, suicide prevention, behavioral health, 988 crisis response, Tribal communities, SAMHSA-funded programs, and/or federal grant management. The individual must be highly organized, able to manage multiple deadlines, comfortable working with federal partners, and capable of translating grant requirements into practical program activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• ·Supervise and direct the program.

Grant & Project Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day project manager for the 988 Tribal Response Cooperative Agreement.
• Implement the approved project work plan, goals, objectives, activities, and timelines.
• Maintain a comprehensive grant calendar tracking reporting deadlines, deliverables, meetings, trainings, outreach activities, and other requirements.
• Monitor project progress and identify delays, barriers, or areas requiring corrective action.
• Ensure grant activities remain aligned with the approved scope of work and budget.
• Maintain organized grant files, documentation, correspondence, meeting records, and supporting materials.
• Communicate regularly with RIIC leadership regarding project status, challenges, accomplishments, and upcoming deadlines.

SAMHSA & Federal Grant Compliance

• Maintain working knowledge of SAMHSA grant requirements, federal grant regulations, the Notice of Award, and applicable program guidance.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for SAMHSA program staff and participate in required meetings, calls, trainings, and technical assistance.
• Prepare and coordinate required federal programmatic reports and other grant deliverables.
• Work with RIIC's Finance Department to monitor grant expenditures, budgets, invoices, and financial documentation.
• Ensure programmatic and financial activities are properly documented and supported.
• Monitor grant spending in relation to the approved budget and communicate potential budget concerns to leadership.
• Ensure required records are maintained for monitoring, audits, and grant closeout.
• SAMHSA states that post-award monitoring includes both programmatic and financial requirements and that recipients should review their Notice of Award for award-specific reporting requirements.

Data, Evaluation & Reporting

• Work with the evaluation team and program staff to establish systems for collecting, tracking, and maintaining accurate project data.
• Monitor performance measures and progress toward grant objectives.
• Review data regularly to identify trends, gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure participant, outreach, training, referral, and program activity documentation is complete and timely.
• Coordinate with evaluation staff to prepare required performance reports and grant submissions.
• Maintain documentation demonstrating completion of grant activities and achievement of project objectives.

Staff & Partner Coordination

• Coordinate the work of project staff, consultants, contractors, and partner organizations.
• Establish clear responsibilities, timelines, and expectations for project activities.
• Conduct regular project meetings and maintain meeting notes and action items.
• Follow up with staff and partners to ensure assigned responsibilities and deadlines are completed.
• Provide guidance and support to staff working on 988 and suicide prevention activities.
• Identify training and technical assistance needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters degree in mental health, social work, public health, behavioral health, human services, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in behavioral health, mental health, suicide prevention, public health, Tribal health, community programs, or related services.
• Demonstrated experience managing grants, projects, programs, or cooperative agreements.
• Experience with SAMHSA, federal grants, or other federal funding strongly preferred.
• Experience with suicide prevention, behavioral health, crisis services, or the 988 Lifeline preferred.
• Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native communities or Tribal organizations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with program reporting, documentation, data collection, and meeting deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining communication with leadership and project partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, virtual meeting platforms, and other standard administrative technology.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Organizational leadership and operations management
• Federal grant and contract compliance
• Program administration and quality improvement
• Staff supervision and team development
• Strategic planning and project management
• Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
• Policy implementation and organizational coordination
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Commitment to culturally responsive and community-centered service delivery

Reports To

• Executive Director
• Chief of Staff

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473). The Rhode Island Indian Council is committed to achieving full and equal opportunity without discrimination because of Race, Religion, Color, Sex, National Origin, Politics, Marital Status, Physical Handicap, Age, or Sexual Orientation. In addition to the above, the Rhode Island Indian Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience to [email protected]

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person