Job Description

Overview

As a Program Manager – Professional Certifications at Barber National Institute, you will support our mission of "Making Dreams Come True" by creating clear, supportive pathways for team members to build professional expertise, advance their careers, and earn professional certifications that strengthen the quality and continuity of services provided to the individuals and families we serve

In this role, you will lead the day-to-day coordination and administration of assigned professional certification programs within Learning & Development, including BNI’s National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Program (NADSP) Certification Program. You will partner with service line leaders and participating team members to support staff recruitment, enrollment, onboarding, preparation, progress, and successful program completion

You will serve as a key resource for employees participating in professional certification programs by maintaining program schedules and records, facilitating structured study and learning activities, monitoring progress and outcomes, and providing timely communication, coaching, and support throughout the certification process. You will also use program data and participant feedback to identify trends, remove barriers, evaluate success and impact, and continuously improve the participant experience.

This position is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with quarterly travel to Barber National Institute’s other regional locations including Erie and Philadelphia. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required based on certification program schedules and participant needs

This is an individual contributor position with program management and coordination responsibilities and no direct staff supervision.

What You'll Bring

• Strong program and project coordination skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, milestones, and concurrent program cycles
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with service line leaders, team members, internal partners, and external certification organizations
• Ability to facilitate small-group learning and provide clear, encouraging guidance to adult learners with varied levels of experience and learning needs.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills with consistent follow-through and attention to detail.
• Ability to organize, analyze, and interpret program information and performance measures to identify trends, barriers, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify participant concerns, provide support, and appropriately route or escalate issues when needed.
• Ability to independently manage program activities within established processes while adapting to changing organizational and participant needs.
• Proficiency with Learning Management Systems, Microsoft Office applications, reporting tools, and other technology used to coordinate, deliver, and monitor learning programs.
• Working knowledge of adult learning principles, employee development practices, and professional certification processes preferred.
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records and appropriately handle sensitive employee and participant information.
• Commitment to BNI’s Core Commitments, including collaboration, transparent communication, problem-solving, adaptability, confidentiality, and ethical judgment.
• Willingness to travel quarterly to Barber National Institute’s various regional sites including the Erie and Philadelphia regions.
• Availability to work occasional evenings or weekends based on business need, certification program schedules, and participant needs.

What You'll Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Education, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of the stated education requirements.
• Minimum of five years of experience coordinating programs, projects, professional development, certification activities, learning programs, or comparable administrative processes required.
• Experience supporting adult learners, employee development, or professional certification programs preferred.
• Experience working with Learning Management Systems (LMS), Microsoft Office applications, reporting tools, and other learning technologies.
• Experience coordinating programs involving multiple participants, schedules, milestones, and completion requirements.
• Relevant professional, human resources, learning and development, project management, or related certification preferred but not required.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to successfully complete all required regulatory and agency-mandated clearances, including criminal background checks, child abuse clearances, and fingerprinting, as applicable.

A Typical Day May Include

• Leading the day-to-day administration of BNI’s NADSP Certification Program, supporting team members as they pursue nationally recognized professional credentials and career development opportunities.
• Coordinating certification program activities from staff recruitment and enrollment through onboarding, study preparation, examination milestones, and successful completion.
• Partnering with service line leaders to identify certification priorities and prospective participants and communicate program expectations, time commitments, milestones, and available supports.
• Maintaining regular touchpoints with participants to monitor progress, provide coaching and guidance, address barriers, and support successful completion.
• Facilitating small-group study sessions and learning activities that reinforce certification content, encourage peer learning, and build participant confidence and readiness.
• Facilitating additional course work that supports staff growth and development.
• Creating supplemental learning resources, study materials, schedules, communications, and other tools needed to support participants throughout the certification process.
• Maintaining accurate program calendars, records, metrics, and reports, including enrollment, participation, milestone completion, withdrawals, examination attempts, certification outcomes, pass rates, and time to certification.
• Tracking professional certification requirements and supporting employees through established certification pathways and career development opportunities.
• Analyzing program data and participant feedback to identify trends, barriers, and opportunities to improve certification programs and participant outcomes.
• Maintaining standardized processes, tools, communications, and documentation to promote consistent program administration across service lines
• Collaborating with Human Resources, Learning & Development, operational leaders, and other internal partners to strengthen workforce development and professional growth opportunities

Perks with a Purpose

Our benefits are created with YOU in mind.

Healthcare

• Highmark Medical and Mental Health
• Delta Dental and Davis Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Accounts
• Teladoc Virtual Health

Financial Well-being

• 401K Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• On-Demand Pay
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Student Loan Forgiveness
• College Scholarship & Tuition Discounts
• Employee Discounts

Life & Family Support

• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Erie Campus*- discounted on-site weekday childcare
• Employee discounts for select BNI events and services
• Generous Paid Time Off

Who is Barber National Institute?

The Barber National Institute is a non-profit committed to its mission of providing the highest quality services for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities or behavioral health challenges and their families. Since our founding in 1952, we have evolved into a multi-faceted organization serving more than 6,200 individuals annually with a wide range of educational, vocational, residential and behavioral health programs.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation to apply, please contact HR. EOE

Any consideration of the background check will be an individualized assessment based on the applicant or employee’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job.