Job Description

Bridgewell strengthens communities by providing an unmatched range of social and human services that empower people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed, and productive lives. Bridgewell delivers support through community housing, day programs, outpatient treatment, recovery services, education, and employment training. We're committed to helping people in need, from those with autism to people with substance use disorders, become engaged members of their communities. Bridgewell is also the industry leader in developing innovative offerings responding to unmet or emerging needs.

Our employees take pride in making every day count to its fullest. They are committed to adding value to the lives of the people we support, and they bring energy, ideas, and a passion for service. Does this describe you? Then please consider joining our incredible team!

Bridgewell strengthens communities by providing an unmatched range of social and human services that empower people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed, and productive lives. Bridgewell delivers support through community housing, day programs, outpatient treatment, recovery services, education, and employment training. We're committed to helping people in need, from those with autism to people with substance use disorders, become engaged members of their communities. Bridgewell is also the industry leader in developing innovative offerings responding to unmet or emerging needs.

Our employees take pride in making every day count to its fullest. They are committed to adding value to the lives of the people we support, and they bring energy, ideas, and a passion for service. Does this describe you? Then please consider joining our incredible team!

Bridgewell Mission: "Connecting People with Possibilities"

Bridgewell inspires hope and empowers people experiencing life challenges to achieve their fullest potential.

Summary:

The Director of Independent Living oversees the administrative, fiscal and programmatic needs of the individual supports, in home supports, respite and ASD/IS programs supported by Bridgewell.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Recruit, train and supervise staff to ensure that performance standards are upheld and that all individuals are working in accordance with agency requirements, mission, goals and values.
2. Provide leadership to all staff by creating a positive work climate and creating a cohesive team environment.
3. Coordinate and manage all new program start-ups within this department.
4. Oversee all referrals and ensure appropriateness and availability of resources prior to admission.
5. Ensure ongoing systems for measuring quality of services and compliance with DDS regulations, CARF standards, and agency policies and procedures.
6. Ensure that services are maintained according to DDS, CARF and all applicable regulatory standards.
7. Ensure compliance with program budgets through consistent monitoring of financial analysis and various reports.
8. Responsible for the monthly utilization review of all IS contracts and oversee the financial assistance contracts associated with these contracts.
9. Build and maintain positive relationships with funding sources, community groups, families, and other service providers.
10. Supervision of the Assistant Directors of Individual Supports and/or Program Managers of Independent Living.
11. Give regular constructive feedback and recognition to direct reports to further develop their skills and capabilities and foster an environment which promotes growth and development.
12. Conduct timely Performance Evaluation meetings and ensure performance standards are met; proactively address performance concerns, working with program management and Human Resources, as appropriate.
13. Ensure employees maintain certifications (such as CPR/1st Aid, MAP, PPS and PABC, as required) and complete all other mandatory training requirements based on Bridgewell policies and the program's funding sources.
14. Identify internal and external talent for key open positions within their areas of responsibility and help direct reports build a strong talent pipeline and succession planning through internal and external recruitment.
15. Build strong teams within their areas of responsibility and create an environment that fosters employee engagement through regular recognition, employee appreciation and people development.
16. Role models the core philosophy of universal supports and promotes Bridgewell's values: dignity, respect, caring, integrity, safety and wellness across their teams.
17. Work with Human Resources and management on employee concerns that arise, determining mentoring/training needs, developmental opportunities and disciplinary action as needed.
18. Participate in the after-hours on-call rotation.
19. Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience:

1. Master's degree in related field with a minimum of 3-5 years experience working with people with developmental disabilities. OR
2. Bachelor's degree in a related field with a minimum of 5-7 years' experience working with people with developmental disabilities.
3. A minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory and team leadership experience is required.
4. A minimum of 3-5 years of experience with budget management and utilization review.
5. Working experience in understanding the clinical needs of the people served is required.
6. A valid US driver's license and one year of driving experience is required.

Required Skills/Knowledge:

1. Strong leadership, management and problem-solving skills.
2. Demonstrated ability to develop and foster positive relationships with funding sources and community groups.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
4. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage an operating budget.
5. Willingness to take on new projects and tasks as the agency grows and diversifies its services.
6. Competent in technology to include the ability to coordinate entry into a data management system, use Microsoft Office products proficiently, and records management systems.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee:

1. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. May occasionally climb stairs and lift up to 25 pounds.
3. The employee must be able to travel off-site to program locations if needed.
4. Ability to be certified and maintain such certification, in PBS, PABC Tier 1 and 2, medication administration, First Aid/CPR and any other certification/training required based on program needs and Bridgewell policies and procedures.
5. Must have a current US driver's license and one year of driving experience.

The physical demands of employees working in Bridgewell programs assisting people with their care needs are varied and require the employee to be able to maneuver people of varying weights, and provide lifting, balance support and physical intervention in several scenarios.

Described below are essential requirements of staff to ensure the safety of employees and people served alike. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions; however, approval will be based on the needs of the persons served and consideration of safety factors related to any program or position within a program.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to be able to:

• Climb stairs, physically assist people served, often weighing more than 200 pounds, with movement, bathroom routines including toileting, assisting with entry and exit of a tub or shower, getting into and out of wheelchairs or dealing with assists that include physical, behavioral and medical interventions.
• Additional lifting or moving may be required as part of activities in the daily living of people in our services.
• Ability to drive a 12-passenger van

Bridgewell offers:

• Excellent health benefits-medical, dental, vision. We believe our benefits package is one of the most competitive.
• Generous paid time off includes your birthday (that's right, we even give you your birthday off!)
• A collaborative work environment that values new insight and personal contributions
• With over one hundred programs in the North Shore, Lowell, and Merrimack Valley we provide excellent opportunities for training and development.
• Additional compensation for on-call rotations
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Why Should You Apply: If the top benefits alone don't sway you, our compassionate and collaborative work environment should! Bridgewell is committed to training and developing staff and provides opportunities for you to have a positive impact on the work you do.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Requires acceptable CORI results according to Bridgewell policy.

Bridgewell is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The pay range listed for this position is the annual base salary range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, or other applicable factors permissible by law.