Program Director

The Joshua School•Gunbarrel, CO

6d•$85,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Director oversees clinical, educational, behavioral, and vocational programming for a caseload of approximately 20–24 students at one Joshua School campus. The role supervises licensed teachers, behavior analysts, specialists, instructional assistants, and the Office Manager, and is responsible for campus-wide student programming, staff development, budget management, student intake and enrollment, and collaboration with families and community stakeholders. The Joshua School serves students ages 6–21 with autism and developmental disabilities at campuses in Denver and Boulder, Colorado. The Director works with the leadership team to advance organizational goals and facility-school quality standards; oversees student referrals, evaluations, intake, records, and campus operations; and coordinates audits, accreditations, staff recruitment, training, supervision, and performance management. The role also supports the development and monitoring of student IEPs, behavioral plans, educational and vocational goals, and progress data. Community-facing duties include working with families, school districts, service providers, community sites, and other stakeholders. The position operates in school, classroom, and community environments and involves standard office equipment, iPads, and laptops. Local travel of approximately 20% may be expected. Extended or non-traditional hours may sometimes be required, and the noise level ranges from moderate to loud. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds and must pass certification for crisis intervention training (CALM).

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant field such as applied behavior analysis, social work, psychology, or education.
At least 7 years of experience in applied settings with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
At least 5 years in a supervisory capacity.
Extensive demonstrated knowledge of applied behavior analysis.
Ability to plan, schedule, and prioritize multiple tasks.
Ability to train, develop, and supervise teachers, instructors, and contracted service providers.
Ability to work effectively with students, staff, and students’ support systems.
Ability to design and develop standards-aligned educational and behavioral goals and curricula.
Ability to work cooperatively with board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders.
Knowledge of Colorado State Standards and alternate performance indicators for special education.
Knowledge of relevant special education laws and regulations.
Knowledge of data-driven instruction and ability to adjust instructional programs and methods based on student data.
Superior written and oral communication skills and ability to conduct meetings and trainings effectively.
Required applied behavior analysis experience: 5 years.
Valid driver’s license required.
Must pass certification for crisis intervention training (CALM).
Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Colorado state teaching license with Special Education Generalist endorsement.
BCBA certification in good standing with the BACB.
Colorado state Special Service Provider license.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the TJS leadership team on strategy, organizational decisions, action plans, and projects aligned with the school’s mission and quality standards.
Supervise program staff, including Lead Teachers, OT/SLP and other specialists, Behavior Analysts, Instructional Assistants, and the Office Manager.
Participate in student enrollment decisions, manage referrals and placement or transition evaluations, and plan and attend new-student intake meetings.
Plan and lead program staff meetings and trainings.
Help create and manage the program budget; coordinate timecards, expenses, and Accounts Payable documentation with the Director of Finance.
Coordinate with senior leadership on building needs, environmental sweeps, maintenance issues, and housekeeping responsibilities.
Prepare for and participate in campus audits and accreditations.
Oversee student and staff records, including IEPs, BIPs, parent communications, incident reports, and training records, in accordance with TJS standards and applicable regulatory, HIPAA, and FERPA requirements.
Collaborate with Human Resources and the Executive Program Director on recruiting strategies, hiring, training needs, and training solutions.
Coach staff on campus and in the community, demonstrate program implementation, observe staff performance, and provide constructive feedback.
Attend classroom clinical meetings at least monthly to discuss student progress and problem-solve with classroom teams.
Model professionalism and interpersonal skills, supervise performance management, conduct staff evaluations, support goal-setting, and address team issues and performance improvement needs.
Coordinate supervision for BCBA, BCaBA, and RBT candidates, including schedules, curricula, meetings, supervision policies, and continuing education opportunities.
Coordinate and facilitate a campus-wide ethics committee to review incident and restraint policies and procedures.
Manage and train staff in physical intervention and safety using an approved practice such as CALM.
Oversee the development and monitoring of each student’s educational, vocational, and behavioral goals.
Collaborate with relevant school specialists and leadership on assessments, IEPs, lesson plans, and Behavior Intervention Plans, and attend IEP meetings.
Monitor student progress reports and data, help assess student strengths and needs, and support selection of instructional materials and curricula.
Prepare for and conduct parent meetings, support families in navigating services and systems of care, and provide referrals for additional services when appropriate or requested.
Participate in crisis management and physical interventions when necessary.
Conduct campus tours, facilitate family participation and understanding of student programming, and maintain relationships with school districts, community sites, job sites, placement representatives, and external support systems.
Occasionally develop and oversee events for families and stakeholders, prepare communications with school leadership and Public Relations, and liaise with inter-agency committees as required.