Independent Living Supports Manager

Careers at Better Community Living (BCL) 

At Better Community Living, our work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and purpose in their community. 

BCL provides residential and community-based services for adults with developmental disabilities across the Greater New Bedford region. Our programs focus on person­ centered care that helps individuals build skills, strengthen relationships, and participate fully in the world around them. 

Behind this work is a dedicated team of professionals who bring compassion, patience, and commitment to the individuals we support every day. We understand that the strength of our organization comes from the people who work here, which is why we focus on creating a supportive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to grow. 

Whether someone is beginning their career in human services or bringing yearn of experience, BCL offers an opportunity to do meaningful work while building a stable and rewarding career. 

Working at BCL 

Working at BCL means being part of a mission-driven organization that values teamwork, accountability, and community impact. Our staff members support individuals in living independent lives while also growing professionally through training, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. 

Many members of our leadership team began their careers providing direct support and have advanced into supervisory and management roles within the organization. We believe strongly in promoting from within and developing the next generation of leaders in human services. 

Compensation and Earning Opportunities 

BCL offers competitive compensation along with opportunities for employees to increase their earnings through additional shifts and scheduling flexibility. Because our programs operate around the clock, employees may have opportunities to pick up extra hours when available. 

Staff may benefit from: 
✓    Consistent full-time schedules
✓    Opportunities to pick up additional shifts when available
✓    Weekend shift differentials for eligible roles
✓    Overtime opportunities based on program needs
✓    Paid training and certification programs

For many employees, the ability to work additional hours provides flexibility and an opportunity to increase their overall earnings while supporting the individuals we serve. 

Benefits and Professional Development 

BCL offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including: 
✓    Medical and dental insurance options
✓    401 k retirement savings plan
✓    Life insurance options
✓    Tuition assistance opportunities
✓    Professional development and training
✓    Supportive leadership and mentorship

We believe in investing in our employees so they can continue developing both personally and professionally. 

Join Our Team 

A career at Better Community Living is more than just a job. It is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others while building a career rooted in service, compassion, and community. 

If you are passionate about helping others and want to be part of an organization that values your work and supports your growth, we encourage you to explore opportunities with BCL. 

40 hours per week - Monday to Friday 8:00AM to 4:00PM

Job Description

Manage and oversee services for adults with intellectual, developmental disabilities and/or autism who live in the community or with their families.  The Manager of Independent Living Supports provides supervision to staff members, focusing on community integration, recreation, personal care, budgeting, activities of daily living and other individualized support needs.  This is a supervisory role which may also have some direct care responsibilities.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in the intake process for individuals who will receive services
• Participates in the hiring, training and supervision of direct support staff
• Work collaboratively with the individual receiving services to plan activities and goals  
• Assist in the development of the Individual Service Plan (ISP) and its implementation 
• Foster independent living skills and skill acquisition
• Teach socialization skills and activities of daily living including: household maintenance; self-care and hygiene; self-awareness and human development, menu planning, food shopping and preparation; money management skills/budgeting; transportation and community orientation; and utilization of community resources.
• Record and appropriately utilize necessary data, daily progress notes, and complete all other ISP and program required documentation.
• Ensure proper oversight of medication administration, as needed.
• Knowledgeable of available  community activities, explore new activities, and supervise individuals at such activities.
• Support each individual with their existing relationships and increase their networks of friends and acquaintances.
• To report any change and/or concerns impacting the individual to the supervisory team in a timely manner. 
• Collect and submit all receipts as required.
• Maintain a safe work environment.
• Ability to monitor health and safety of individuals.
• Uphold client confidentiality in all instances where mandated reporting of abuse/ neglect is not applicable.
• Required to attend all staff training sessions and staff meetings as scheduled and maintain agency and DDS required training.
• Transport individuals in personal vehicles on a daily basis if required and submit for mileage reimbursement within the BCL guidelines. Must maintain auto insurance. 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Required Qualifications:

• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 
• All applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED required
• All applicants must have a valid United States Driver’s License for three years and the use of a personal vehicle with insurance that meets BCL’s insurance policy criteria.
• Excellent time management and oral / written communication skills.
• Successful applicants must be able to pass a CORI check, Drug Screening Test, and a Driving Record Check.
• Successful applicants must acquire and maintain necessary certification such as: Mandated Reporter, First Aid, CPR, Human Rights, Safety Care trained within 30 days of hire date or as soon as certification is available. Additionally for those who are comfortable in the water, an optional Basic Water Rescue training. 
• Bachelors in a related field is preferred. 

Language Skills

Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondences and memos. Ability to write adequate summaries for daily ISP documentation, as well as professional correspondence. Ability to effectively present information one-on-one and small group situations to participants, community members, and other employees of the organization.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to respond to everyday events and deal with probleminvolving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to use sound judgement during de-escalation/ behavior management scenarios. 

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. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and sit, crouch or crawl. The employee occasionally will be required to use hands and arms to reach, also to climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds regularly in some scenarios, lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, with or without adaptive equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. This can include inclement weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but occasionally excessive. Employees in this position are subject to hazards such as moving parts, moving vehicles, etc. 

Salary: $50,000 to $55,000 to commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits:  BCL offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition, and 401k and life insurance options for all eligible employees.

Employment decisions will be based on the principles of equal opportunity. All personnel actions (recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, etc.) are administered without regard to any characteristic protected by state, federal or local law, assuming said characteristic does not interfere with the performance of essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabilities and religious beliefs. Please inform us of any necessary accommodations to the application process.

Salary : $50,000 - $55,000