Director of Programs

Director of Programs

Reports To: Executive Director

Supervises: Educational Support Staff and Program Leads

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

The Director of Programs is a strategic leader responsible for developing and overseeing Seamark Ranch’s holistic youth development framework, rooted in Christ and structured around the Six Pillars of Youth Development: Spiritual Formation, Emotional Growth, Academic Engagement, Vocational Readiness, Physical Wellness, and Social Responsibility.

This role ensures that every child in Seamark’s care engages in structured, measurable, and mission-aligned programs that foster growth in character, life skills, and faith. The Director of Programs works hand-in-hand with Seamark’s Houseparents, who lead our family-style homes, to ensure every child is growing through structured, faith-aligned programming that supports their care plan goals and development. The Director collaborates closely with the Care Team and the Executive Director to deliver consistent, integrated, and individualized care, while also expanding Seamark’s community-facing initiatives for children and families in crisis.

Key Responsibilities

Youth Development Program Design & Oversight

• Design, implement, and evaluate structured programming aligned with Seamark’s Pillars of Youth Development, developing opportunities for youth to grow across each pillar.
• Create quarterly or biannual slate of program options for youth and Houseparents to select from during Collaborative Care planning
• Design houseparent-executed tools (e.g., budgeting challenges, cooking plans, journaling assignments) to teach life and vocational skills
• Coordinate internal programming with ranch rhythms and staff capacity in collaboration with Operations Director and Houseparents

Spiritual Formation Strategy & Leadership

• Lead the development of the Spiritual Formation program, ensuring integration of biblical discipleship across all programs.
• Equip Houseparents and staff with devotional tools, mentoring resources, and biblically grounded curriculum.

Transformation Planning & Metrics

• Collaborate with Care Team and child to set individual goals and for each child across all six pillars
• Identify KPIs for each child’s Transformation Plan and track progress through Seamark’s scorecard tools.
• Provide routine, documented updates to Case Manager to inform plan reviews and interdisciplinary discussions
• Help identify and resolve participation gaps or missed benchmark.

Family & Program Collaboration

• Serve as liaison between program staff and Houseparents when concerns related to progress or behavior arise.
• Coordinate targeted interventions and coaching to support academic and programmatic success.
• Equip Houseparents to deliver daily spiritual practices, vocational routines, and life skill coaching
• Regularly meet with Houseparents to assess program fit, adjust tools, and provide training and encouragement

Vocational & Life Skills Coordination

• Create hands-on job experiences that give our kids responsibility, confidence, and real-life skills, whether it’s feeding horses, fixing fences, or helping in the office.
• Coordinate job matching, schedules, and supervision for vocational placements.
• Provide guidance counseling opportunities and cultivate opportunities for career development through outside partnerships (i.e. internships, trade school, college, etc.).
• Provide resources and tools for Houseparents to teach daily life and job skills.

Community Mentor & Partnership Development

• Cultivate partnerships with churches, nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers to supplement internal programming
• Vet and onboard external mentors and facilitators, ensuring mission alignment and safety compliance
• Serve as the point of contact for community programming partners operating on the Seamark campus

Agriculture Program Oversight

• Supervise and guide the program leads in developing a comprehensive program covering livestock, equine, gardening, ecology, and agricultural life skills using 4H style approach
• Ensure ranch-based learning experiences align with youth care goals and reinforce faith, responsibility, and work ethic
• Coordinate with the Director of Operations to ensure resources, space, and safety protocols support program growth

Program Evaluation, Compliance, and Reporting

• Monitor program outcomes using quantitative benchmarks and qualitative feedback from youth, staff, and families
• Ensure programs comply with DCF licensing standards and COA accreditation benchmarks
• Partner with the Development Director to provide outcomes and narratives for fundraising and donor relations
• Participate as the functional programming lead in Collaborative Care and strategic leadership meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum 5 years experience in youth programming or nonprofit leadership, with a strong background in faith-based discipleship and child development
• Experience leading teams, developing staff, and fostering a healthy, mission-aligned culture.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, build strategic partnerships, and manage complex program systems
• Strong personal alignment with Seamark’s Christian mission and statement of faith, with demonstrated spiritual maturity
• Experience collaborating with Houseparents, volunteers, or mentors in a trauma-informed setting preferred
• High capacity for both vision-building and hands-on implementation

Work Environment & Schedule

• Position is based at Seamark Ranch and involves hands-on participation in outdoor, agricultural, and residential program settings
• Some evening or weekend responsibilities required for events and youth support
• Must be physically capable of participating in or supervising youth activities (walking, lifting, outdoor tasks, etc.)

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Comprehensive medical coverage — health, dental, and vision
• Employer‑paid life insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays

About Seamark Ranch

Seamark Ranch is a Christ‑centered, nonprofit children’s home located on a beautiful 465‑acre working ranch in Northeast Florida (Green Cove Springs area). We provide a family‑style residential program, an on‑site education center, professional counseling, and hands‑on agriculture‑ and equine‑based learning that teach responsibility, teamwork, and self‑sufficiency. Our mission is to give children from families in crisis the tools they need for a brighter future. We do that by surrounding them with love, stability, academic support, and life‑skills training that break generational cycles and prepare them to thrive as productive, servant‑minded adults.