Assistant Director of Community Day Programs

Location: (50% remote, 50% travel throughout Wisconsin) 

Reports to: Interim Director of Programs

Status: Full Time (40 hours per week)

Salary: DOE

FLSA Status: Exempt

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities and their families through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and exchanging ideas and experiences.

DSAW provides programs and services throughout the lifespan (Parent's First Call for new and expectant parents, children's services, adult services, vocational services, and aging services), as well as educational opportunities and events.

We have an immediate opening for a statewide Assistant Director of Community Day Programs.

The Community Day Programs Department provides community-based group programming in Appleton, Sun Prairie, Milwaukee, and Janesville. The Assistant Director of Community Day Programs will provide direct supervision to the Program Managers or Senior Program Coordinators at each site. The Assistant Director of Community Day Programs will oversee the department's policy and procedure for all aspects of the department's operations, including tracking authorizations, family, funder, and wraparound team member communication, set-up, staff management, plan oversight, and billing. This individual could assist with completing intakes with new participants and their guardians and will be responsible for the collective oversight and customer satisfaction of the total DSAW Community Day Programs Department. 

The Assistant Director of Community Day Programs will be essential in onboarding, training, management, and professional development for key staff in our community day program locations across Wisconsin. The Assistant Director of Community Day Programs will partner with Program Managers, Senior Program Coordinators, and other essential team members across the state to provide quality community-based day programming to our participants and their families. The Assistant Director of Community Day Programs will conduct monthly meetings and ongoing educational training. Lastly, the Assistant Director of Community Day Programs will ensure that staff serve our consumers respectfully and compassionately. 

The ideal person for this role will be passionate about servant leadership and dedicated to empowering individuals with diverse abilities to live independent and fulfilling lives. This person should also have excellent organization and prioritization skills to assist staff on all levels of the Community Day Programs Department.

The Assistant Director of Community Day Programs must be a skilled communicator, empathetic listener, and excellent problem-solver. The candidate must also be able to work in a fast-paced and time-sensitive environment. Overall, the candidate must be a fast learner who is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities achieve extraordinary lives.

To complete this job well, the Assistant Director of Community Day Programs must be very comfortable with technology and able to quickly learn new systems, such as a new Case Management System. This individual should have a thorough understanding of MS Office/G Suite products. Experience with participant management and time tracking/scheduling systems is a plus.

As DSAW continues to grow rapidly, we are seeking a candidate for this role who is excited about having a say in the organization's future. We work within a collaborative leadership model, meaning everyone is expected to come to the table with ideas to improve our company. The ideal candidate should be excited to roll up their sleeves and take the initiative to create new processes and procedures throughout the organization. While this role's hours are flexible overall, most of our community-day programming takes place between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Thus, we generally expect the Assistant Director of Community Day Programs to be available during these hours, M-F. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities 

Departmental Oversight

• Maintain best practices and standard operating procedures for Community Day Programs staff.
• Work in partnership with all Community Day Program Managers/ Senior Community Day Program Coordinators to ensure fidelity and consistency in programming across the State
• Regular meetings with staff 
• Disseminates information related to funding updates, process changes, etc
• Reviews month-end reports, billing, and invoice resolutions
• Continues to monitor opportunities for growth across the State

Staff Hiring, Onboarding, Training, and Management

• Determine the needs of the department and hire accordingly.
• Play an integral role in onboarding all new Community Day Program Managers/Senior Community Day Program Coordinators
• Directly supervise Community Day Program Managers and Senior Community Day Program Coordinators, providing regular feedback and completing annual performance reviews.
• Work individually with Community Day Program Managers and Senior Community Day Program Coordinators to create a professional development plan according to their goals.
• Conduct ongoing educational training for Community Day Programs staff.
• Review and analyze timesheets.
• Set monthly meetings with all Community Day Programs staff to provide department-specific news/updates and company-wide information.
• Provide on-site training when applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• A bachelor's degree in a related field is required
• 10 years working with families and clients with diverse abilities
• Experience working with DVR, IRIS, and Family Care and Children's Long Term Support preferred.
• Experience modifying or breaking down tasks for individuals.
• Significant supervisory experience is required.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.
• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and an insured vehicle.
• Applicants must pass a caregiver background check that meets State of Wisconsin requirements.

Interpersonal

• Must be a sensitive and mature individual who can relate well to adults.
• Demonstrates warmth, insight, interest, and respect for persons with disabilities.
• Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule.
• Able and knowledgeable to cope with emergencies or behavioral situations calmly and effectively.
• Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their supervisor.
• Able to communicate effectively with participants and partners. 
• Ability to multi-task and adhere to timelines set forth for quality management.

Compensation: Based on experience

Benefits for Full-Time Employees

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with access to supplemental life, critical illness, and accident insurance.
• Employer-paid disability and life insurance.
• 10 days of PTO, accrued in bi-weekly increments, as well as 5 set holidays and 5 floating holidays.
• Monthly phone stipend of $20/month for using a personal cell phone.
• Professional development stipend of $150 / year.
• Laptop to complete your work.

Additional benefits include the following:

• Flexible schedule.
• Travel reimbursement
• Remote work for non-client-facing duties.
• Parental leave after one year of service. 
• Ongoing training opportunities sponsored by DSAW.
• Employee referral program (employee will receive $50 if their referral is hired).
• Relaxed dress code at the discretion of your supervisor.
• Annual offsite staff team-building activities.
• 8 hours paid per year to volunteer.
• Room to grow within the company.
• An amazing mission and culture.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, traveling in a car and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 10 pounds at times.
• Must be able to navigate various departments of the organization’s physical premises.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.