The Foraker Group

Job Summary

Job Description

View full posting and other opportunities at akedacares.org

POSITION DESCRIPTION: PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Organization Background

Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance provides help and inspires hope by engaging our diverse communities in education, advocacy, and support for Alaskans affected by eating disorders. AKEDA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit working year-round for Alaskans to thrive in supportive, informed communities with access to effective, compassionate treatment for eating disorders.

Position Summary

The Program Director, Care + Treatment will lead work to strengthen eating disorder treatment capacities across Alaska. They will help the providers and health systems already serving Alaskans, from primary care offices to hospitals to treatment programs, become more confident and capable in caring for people with eating disorders, and build the connections that get patients to the right care sooner. 

This is a role for someone who can see the big picture and take initiative to bring people together for solutions. They will lead statewide training and consultation, strengthen partnerships with healthcare and behavioral health organizations, and guide work that expands treatment capacities and improves coordinated care. Much of the work will involve rural and regional Alaska communities, where gaps in care are greatest. 

This is a role for someone with either a clinical background as a medical or mental health provider or with significant experience working within healthcare or behavioral health systems. They are able to translate clinical and healthcare system knowledge into practical strategies for improving provider capacity, strengthening treatment programs, and creating more effective pathways to care. 

This position is funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program and SAMHSA. Grant activities strengthen a sustainable, coordinated, and accessible full continuum of eating disorder care throughout Alaska and increases the number of Alaskans able to help prevent, screen, diagnose, and treat eating disorders. 

This position will:

• Support evidence-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and weight-inclusive approaches to eating disorder care
• Lead training and clinical consultation opportunities to improve how providers across Alaska identify, treat, and refer people with eating disorders, working with national and Alaska-based eating disorders experts
• Support providers in developing confidence and competence in working with individuals across the eating disorders spectrum
• Build relationships with outpatient providers, treatment programs, hospitals, and Tribal and rural health partners and collaborate to increase capacities to identify and treat eating disorders
• Partner with hospital and healthcare systems to increase readiness to recognize and medically stabilize patients experiencing acute eating disorders
• Build relationships with primary care, behavioral health, pediatric, adolescent, and other relevant providers to improve early identification and referral
• Support development of sustainable referral networks across Alaska
• Collaborate to support integration of eating disorder-informed practices in a variety of settings, and support dual-diagnosis partnerships
• Identify opportunities to improve continuity of care when patients transition between residential, outpatient, medical, and behavioral health settings
• Set work plans and goals, track progress, and share results 
• Travel to communities and facilities around the state
• Take part in community outreach activities, communications and resource materials development, recruitment to AKEDA Speakers Bureau, and AKEDA engagement events
• Support specific aspects of grants management, including data collection and post-project narrative
• Help foster a team culture of collaboration and high-quality work

Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare or behavioral health, as a clinician, administrator, care leader, or similar role
• Master’s degree in a related field, or equivalent education and experience
• Experience developing or delivering professional training
• Experience leading projects, partnerships, or teams
• Knowledge of evidence-based eating disorder treatment
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Knowledge of Alaska cultures and experience working with rural Alaska communities or tribal health systems
• Willingness and ability to travel to rural Alaska communities
• Comfort with Google Workspace and other common collaborative work tools

Physical Requirements

• Job is performed in an office or home office setting with extended periods of sitting, exposure to computer screens, and may require extensive use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse. The work described herein is primarily modern office work.
• Occasional lifting, moving, and carrying.

Many people in historically or socially excluded or oppressed bodies and those with lived experience, neurodivergence, or perfectionist characteristics are less likely to apply when they feel they don’t meet every attribute. Please still consider offering your application if you don’t meet stated requirements and qualifications, but feel you offer something unique for this position. 

Salary and Benefit Offerings

• Annual salary of $90,000
• QSEHRA healthcare reimbursement plan
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off for major holidays, sick leave, and PTO accruals based on years of service
• An affirming work culture prioritizing mental health, teamwork and flexibility 

To Apply: Submit a resume, cover letter, and three references with contact information via email to jobs@akedacares.org with the subject line: “Program Director, Care + Treatment Position Opening”. All candidates will be contacted to confirm receipt, however not all applicants will be contacted for an interview. This position is open until filled, with a first review of applications beginning October 23.

Non-Discrimination Statement

AKEDA is an equal opportunity employer to all, without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.