Employment Support Services Manager - Project Will, Inc

Project WILL, Inc. is a non-profit organization that supports young adults with behavioral health challenges through life's transitions while providing a launching pad for true growth and positive transformation. 

Project WILL creates opportunities for our members to give back to their supportive communities by volunteering.  As a result of volunteering, our members learn relevant skills necessary to secure and maintain employment.  We conduct personal responsibility classes and job readiness training in order to foster positive growth.

Project WILL is looking to hire a Program Manager for its new Employment Support Services division. The Program Manager for Employment Support Services provides leadership, coordination, administrative support with internal team members and establishes partnerships and connections with external stakeholders. Responsible for strategically organizing, implementing and managing daily operations of the division and working in collaboration to promote the growth of the program. Encouraging a community where a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace culture is embraced by all, while simultaneously developing a motivated and inspired team that is productive. 

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate strong leadership skills to include decision making, staff development, critical thinking, communication and organizational skills. 
• Foster innovation, proactively plan meaningful activities and coordinate curriculum that supports life and vocational skills development that leads to greater client independence.
• Train and instruct assigned team on member-specific needs and plans and PWI company policies and procedures.
• Oversee, encourage and coordinate activities of assigned team.
• Monitor the service delivery and documentation of assigned team to ensure adherence to quality standards, service definitions, member-specific plans and timelines.
• Provide assigned team with guidance in handling difficult or complex Member concerns/issues.
• Facilitate meaningful and impactful experiences for Members by always looking to establish new and better solutions and or recommendations for process improvement.
• Help maintain the optimal safety needs of Members by providing appropriate supervision level and ensuring that the team is familiar with interventions related to identified high risks.
• Assist with resolving Member and/or team complaints or disputes and answer Member questions regarding PWI policies and procedures.
• Discuss job performance with employees at regularly scheduled intervals and as needed.  If performance concerns or noted, identify causes and issues and create improvement plan.
• Collaborate with referral sources, families, Members and ESPs to prepare and monitor monthly schedules, task assignments and employment activity schedules.
• Implement and administer supports, procedures and guidelines to help align the teams with the strategic goals of the company.  
• Coordinate with HR to guarantee the effective recruitment and selection of qualified applicants to meet the needs of the Members served.
• In coordination with Leadership Team, guide employee relations practices necessary to establish a positive employer-employee relationship to promote a positive work culture and high performing team.
• Design and evaluate staff training and development efforts, customer service initiatives and performance measurement criteria.
• Recruit, orient, organize and manage an advisory committee related to employment practices of hiring of individuals with disabilities and behavioral health challenges.
• Research relevant best practices and other pertinent material to support workforce development activities for Employment Support Professionals.
• Serves as primary person responsible for all potential Member inquiries or other questions about the program. 
• Maintain an equity lens and participate in community equity and diversity, equity and inclusion work.
• Develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with state and community-level partners.
• Facilitate and support networking opportunities that encourage inclusion, community engagement and progress toward the achievement of employment goals.

COMMUNICATION, REPORTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Effectively communicate the goals, expectations and individual responsibilities of each team member.
• Coordinate with Executive Director to review and update procedures, communicating changes to assigned team as appropriate.
• Research best practices required to measure performance as it relates to fulfillment of mission and vision.
• Seek quality improvements for the management of information flow to assigned team.
• Coordinate activities with other members of Leadership team to minimize duplication efforts and inefficiencies.
• Identify and utilize effective verbal, written and electronic communication skills and vehicles to accomplish tasks and clarify information for all internal and external customers.
• Ensure all communication takes place in a professional manner, reflecting dignity and respect for persons served.
• Attend department and committee meetings, taking action on all assigned items in a timely manner.
• Immediately alert Executive Director of any potentially critical issue or crisis situation.
• Remain current on trends and legislation in the field, ensuring the implementation of Best Practice and legal compliance with Employment Support functions.
• Develop and maintain professional relationship with all internal and external customers.
• Network with agency and other professionals to develop and enhance knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Respond timely to all reporting requests from Quality and Compliance Department
• Manage department communication and feedback through meetings, employee satisfaction surveys and other means as appropriate.
• Consult with Quality and Compliance Department to ensure that Quality Management system and all related processes are being implemented consistently and effectively.
• Comply with state regulatory standards related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), and Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). grants and accreditation standards for vocational and workforce development services
• Prepare timely grant impact reports for all funding received and other pertinent reports according to company and regulatory guidelines.
• Maintain all information in a professional and confidential manner as established by HIPAA guidelines.
• Use various means of communication (verbal, written and electronic) to complete work and effectively interact with internal and external customers.
• Support a safe and healthy environment, monitoring for hazards and safety concerns.
• Immediately alert supervisor of any critical or potentially critical issue or crisis situation.
• Network with customers and other professionals to develop and maintain positive, supportive and collaborative relationships to support the company’s mission and initiatives.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to department/team budget, consulting with the Executive Director on any anticipated revenue changes or unbudgeted expenses.
• Review and approve assigned team hours and mileage for payroll entry.
• Regularly check email and other forms of electronic messaging and respond to communications within 48 hours or immediately in urgent/time sensitive situations.
• Identify new potential activities of interest through relevant resources.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required
• Five (5) years relevant work experience required.
• Experience with workforce development activities, DEI advocacy, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other pertinent human resources or organizational leadership desired.

BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Knowledge and proficiency in advocacy, data-driven decision making and strategic planning.
• Analytical and program development skills are critical to the success in this role.
• General understanding of department budget and grant writing will be expected for the successful candidate.
• Ability to develop schedule and carry-out the logistics for successful implementation.
• Ability to handle and carry out multiple tasks.
• Basic computer skills with the ability to learn and effectively utilize identified computer software applications to accomplish tasks.
• Ability to read, comprehend, interpret and apply information from general procedures, safety rules, instructions, data and reports.
• Ability to use Basic English grammatical skills to write routine reports and general correspondence.
• Organizational skills and ability to accurately document data and maintain records.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must have ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include occasional evenings and weekends.
• Must have ability to lift/move/transfer materials weighing up to 75 lbs. periodically.
• Must have ability to stand, walk, stoop, and bend frequently.
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid certification and must stay current on all other training as defined by Indiana state guidelines, industry accreditation standards and company guidelines.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, toxic and caustic chemicals, and fumes or airborne particles.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.