Director- Director of Programs
About The Position
The Arc empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to achieve their full potential, lead fulfilling lives, and actively participate in their communities. We foster a supportive, inclusive, person-centered environment driven by advocacy, dignity, and personal growth. We are seeking an experienced, mission-driven, operational leader to join our management team as a Director of Programs. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership, administration, and overall supervision of our adult day, vocational, and community integration programs. You will work closely with program leads, direct support teams, Regional Centers, and executive leadership to ensure exceptional person-centered service delivery, strict regulatory compliance (Title 17/22, CARF, HCBS Final Rule), and continuous quality improvement.
Requirements
- Associate degree required (bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Healthcare Administration, Psychology, Social Work, or related field strongly preferred). Additional relevant experience may be substituted for the educational requirement.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
- Minimum of 3 years of experience leading, coaching, and supervising teams of 4 or more direct reports.
- Proven experience working with Regional Centers, California Title 17/22 regulations, CARF accreditation audits, and HCBS settings.
- Valid California Driver’s License with a clean DMV record; ability and willingness to drive passenger vans when needed.
- Must be at least 21 years of age and successfully pass DOJ/FBI fingerprint background clearance.
- Ability to lift a minimum of 45 lbs. and support participant mobility and facility walk-throughs.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), data entry, and case management software.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desirable
- Current American Red Cross First Aid & CPR certification (or provided by employer)
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily operations of assigned programs, ensuring adherence to approved program designs, service codes, and individual participant outcomes outlined in Individual Program Plans (IPPs).
- Champion meaningful community integration, recreational outings, volunteer opportunities, and vocational activities in full compliance with the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule.
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Program Instructors/Leads (PILs) and Direct Support Professionals (DSP 1 & 2), promoting staff retention, leadership development, and accountability.
- Maintain operational readiness and full compliance with California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Title 17, Community Care Licensing (Title 22), CARF standards, and Regional Center vendor guidelines.
- Oversee referral pipelines and enrollment processes; conduct tours for prospective participants/families, review Regional Center documentation, and coordinate smooth onboarding.
- Ensure high safety standards across all facilities; manage critical incident responses and oversee prompt, thorough Special Incident Reports (SIRs) submissions.
- Act as a primary liaison with Regional Center Service Coordinators, School Transition Specialists, Department of Rehabilitation Counselors, and participant families.
- Manage department operating budgets, monitor petty cash and credit card allocations, and generate accurate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly administrative and utilization reports.
- Actively participate in Arc Leadership and Executive meetings to help shape the organization's future vision and operational strategy.
Benefits
- Salary reflective of experience, leadership background, and education.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 4% employer matching contribution (following 6% employee contribution).
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
- Paid holidays, 2 weeks paid vacation, sick days, and birthday holiday.
- Leadership development opportunities and paid professional training.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Associate degree
