Assistant Director of Lifesharing, ID/A Residential Program - Access Services

Access Services is looking to welcome an Assistant Director of Lifesharing to our Bethlehem team. The assistant director will work with the director in the overall management, organization and daily operation of the program to help ensure that all program objectives are being met and that services provided meet the needs of those being served.  

To do this they will: 

• Provide direct supervision and training to Lifesharing coordinators ensuring proper documentation, accountability and that program outcomes are met.  
• Assist in the intake and referral process, ensure full compliance with regulatory standards with regard to the maintenance of provider family and consumer files, and maintain good communication with external stakeholders.  

Essential Functions of the Lifesharing Assistant Director 

• Manage daily operations and oversight of the Lifesharing Program.   

• Responsible for provision of quality services and maintenance of files are in accordance with Department of Public Welfare regulations. 

• Ensure the respite/intake department in receiving referrals and facilitating the intake and matching process. 

• Participate in home studies and the screening of potential providers. 

• Provide support to Lifesharing coordinators in formal weekly supervisions and maintain an open-door policy outside of supervision.  

• Intervene as necessary with concerns/problems with coordinators and provider families.  

• Interface with county staff in monitoring services. 

• Facilitate team meetings on a regular cadence with coordinators. 

• Work with the LS leadership team to ensure presence at committee meetings, county meetings, and regional and state subcommittee meetings. 

• Review program plans and reports so that assurance around compliance is maintained. 

• As regulations change and expectations change internally and externally assist in program development, policies and procedures development.   

•  Ensure the readiness of the department for all audits and participate in the auditing process. 

• Participate in and conduct interviews, hiring, training and support of Coordinators and support staff. 

• Conduct evaluations and give feedback on work performance for Coordinators and support staff on a regular basis. 

• Under the leadership of the Director, ensure that all providers have appropriate and required training per regulatory and internal standards. 

• Promote Access Services and the Lifesharing program within the community in order to create opportunities to both contribute to the larger community and to be a participant in the larger community. 

• Keep current with required professional development training. 

• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, and work scheduled overtime, or be available for unplanned overtime as necessary, to meet program needs. 

• Participate in cross program partnership. Remain solution focus when faced with barriers.     

• Provide IM oversight and analyze data for themes and trends. 

• Participate in state and local advocacy groups and remain vigilant in ongoing training and development activities.   

Requirements

Staff must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks, physical examination results, and clearances. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field including human services, special education, psychology, or social work required. 

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is required. 

• Experience working within programs under the oversight of ODP (Office of Developmental Programs) in Pennsylvania.

Other:  

Maintain regular and predictable attendance, and work scheduled overtime, or be available for unplanned overtime as necessary, to meet program needs.  

This position requires the ability to travel during a normal workday to successfully carry out the expectations of this position including attending offsite meetings, providing services in the community, and providing service oversight and supervision. Therefore, employee will need to drive their personal vehicle and/or an agency owned vehicle to meet these expectations, and:

• Have a valid driver's license, and access to a reliable vehicle during work hours. 
• Have a U.S. driver’s license for at least two years (not including time with a permit). 
• Must be listed as a driver on a valid auto insurance policy

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Excellent organizational and oral/written communication skills.  
• Ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff, county and state officials, individuals, their families and the general public.  
• Ability to work as part of a team.  
• Ability to manage crisis situations.  
• Ability to problem solve and plan around preventing future crisis situations with individuals and families.  
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting regulations and policies governing the services of Access Services.  
• Knowledge of case management skills and practices.  
• Knowledge and skills in negotiating the multisystem environment. 
•  Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with people in affiliate agencies. Knowledge of person-centered planning, positive approaches, behavior management techniques, safety techniques and program planning principles.  
• Knowledge of pertinent community resources and facilities.  
• Understanding of issues which affect people with developmental disabilities. 
• Commitment to resident rights and the individuality of the person being served.  
• Ability to plan, organize and direct your own work.  
• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies and provider self-service for licensed programs. 
• Ability to navigate network drives and basic hardware use and troubleshooting. 

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Work in a standard office environment. Utilize desktop computer equipment daily. Able to lift or move items associated with sedentary work and light work (exert up to 20 lbs.). Routinely travel to offsite locations and regional office locations as necessary. May require same physical and lifting requirements as an employee who regularly provides direct care should they be needed to assist. 

Benefits

Compensation:   

The annual salary for this role is $50,000 ; plus a competitive benefits package. Adjustments made for education and experience may be discussed.    

Work Schedule:   

Monday through Friday during normal business hours, flexibility with schedule and on-call rotation required. This role we be based in our Bethlehem, PA office and requires travel for meetings and home visits within the Lehigh Valley.   

Our full-time comprehensive benefits package includes:   

● Health, vision, Rx, and dental insurance with options for HSA/FSA.   

● Mileage reimbursement and paid travel time between worksites.   

● Employee Assistance Program (EAP).   

● Referral bonuses.   

● 401k match.   

● Tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, and college tuition discounts.   

● 20 days paid off plus additional time with continued service. Paid holiday time. Catastrophic sick leave.   

● Company paid Life Insurance as well as Long and Short-Term Disability.   

● Ongoing professional development training.   

● Discounts on various services. Perks with local credit unions.   

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.