Assistant Area Director

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Lawrence, MA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Area Director for Program Services is a senior management position based in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The role supports the Area Director in leading, managing, and overseeing Area Office program operations, with substantial delegated authority over day-to-day program management, service quality, workforce performance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. It directly supervises Human Service Coordinator Supervisors and provides functional oversight of Service Coordinators to ensure high-quality, person-centered services consistent with DDS regulations, policies, and priorities. The Assistant Area Director works collaboratively with the Clinical Director, the Assistant Area Director for Administrative Services, Regional and State Office leadership, providers, individuals, and families. As a member of the Area Office Senior Management and Leadership Teams, the Assistant Area Director may represent or act on behalf of the Area Director when designated. The position is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday off. Flexibility is required to meet program needs. The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services creates opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities. DDS serves over 43,000 individuals and oversees approximately 5,500 staff and substantial public funds. Candidates must meet the stated experience requirements or an allowed combination of experience and education substitutions. Selected candidates’ education and license or certification information may be subject to public disclosure under Massachusetts Public Record Law and will be verified. Recommended candidates must complete pre-employment screening, including abuse-registry, criminal-record, and fingerprint-based national background checks. The Commonwealth offers a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Requirements

At least five years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration, or clinical management; at least one year must be in a project management, supervisory, or managerial capacity, unless qualifying through an equivalent combination of experience and substitutions.
A certificate in a relevant or related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
A bachelor's degree in a related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
A graduate degree in a related field may substitute for three years of the required experience.
A doctorate in a related field may substitute for four years of the required experience.
Selected candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening, including a Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities Abuse Registry Search, a CORI criminal background check, and a fingerprint-based national background check.
Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with Human Resources Division Hiring Guidelines.

Responsibilities

Provide direct supervision, leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to Human Service Coordinator Supervisors.
Provide functional oversight to Service Coordinators, including effective caseload management, workload distribution, and service delivery.
Establish staff development, training, and performance expectations.
Implement DDS policies, initiatives, and Area Office program priorities.
Exercise independent judgment in personnel administration and operational decision-making within delegated authority.
Oversee the quality, development, review, and approval of Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
Ensure compliance with DDS regulations, HCBS principles, human rights requirements, incident reporting, mandated reporting, and applicable legal standards.
Monitor program quality, identify areas requiring improvement, and implement corrective actions.
Collaborate with the Clinical Director and clinical disciplines on complex cases, risk planning, and quality improvement.
Promote consistent service coordination practices and person-centered outcomes.
Lead and oversee responses to critical incidents, emergencies, and complex service situations.
Coordinate risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and follow-up with clinical staff and service coordination teams.
Identify patterns and systemic concerns requiring corrective action.
Ensure timely communication, documentation, escalation, and resolution of significant concerns.
Participate in MASSCAP prioritization and CCA review processes.
Advise the Area Director on service priorities, resource allocation, fiscal impact, provider capacity, and individual risk.
Oversee referral planning and coordination for PDP, AWC, SCL, Self-Directed Services, Family Support, and related resources.
Monitor program utilization and support equitable distribution of available services.
Assist in identifying service gaps and developing strategies to address emerging needs.
Provide leadership and oversight of Family Support and related children’s resources.
Participate in Chapter 688 and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) transition planning.
Organize and facilitate provider meetings and collaborative planning activities.
Work with families, guardians, providers, brokers, community partners, and DDS leadership to resolve complex service issues.
Support DDS initiatives and coordinated service-delivery strategies.
Participate in Area Office Senior Management and Leadership Team activities.
Represent the Area Director in Regional, State Office, provider, and Department meetings when designated.
Collaborate with the Assistant Area Director for Administrative Services on program and administrative matters.
Assume delegated responsibilities of the Area Director when assigned.
Perform other duties as required.