Vocational Manager (29058)

About We Do Life… Together

We Do Life…Together (WDLT), a division of ICES, Inc., has been transforming lives in Connecticut since 1998. We support individuals with cognitive disorders, mental illness, and those on the autistic spectrum. Our caring human service professionals focus on the individuals’ personal strengths to make the most of valuable community resources while promoting respect and dignity of all. We serve individuals in private residences, respite facilities, emergency placements, community work sites, training centers, supervised living arrangements, and our own state-licensed group homes.

We offer a comprehensive continuum of services, including residential, vocational, clinical, community habilitation, and in-home support, all grounded in person-centered care. Our team works alongside each individual to build real-world independence, from securing meaningful community employment to developing daily living skills and accessing the resources they need to thrive.

WDLT collaborates with the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and other community partners. When you join WDLT, you are joining a team that believes in doing this work together, for each other and for the people we serve.

Why This Role Matters

The Vocational Manager provides leadership for one or more vocational program locations, ensuring individuals receive exceptional person-centered services while employees have the support, resources, and coaching they need to succeed. This role balances operational

 leadership, employee development, regulatory compliance, and program quality to create an environment where both individuals and staff can thrive.

As a Vocational Manager, you will lead by example—building strong teams, solving problems, developing employees, and ensuring every individual receives meaningful opportunities to grow their independence, vocational skills, and community engagement.

If you are a servant leader who enjoys coaching others, building high-performing teams, and making a lasting difference in people's lives, this is an opportunity to grow your leadership while advancing WDLT's mission.

What You’ll Do

Program Leadership & Operations

• Lead the day-to-day operation of one or more vocational programs, ensuring services are safe, engaging, person-centered, and fully compliant with agency and state requirements.
• Monitor program quality and continuously identify opportunities to improve services and individual outcomes.
• Ensure staffing levels meet required ratios while matching employee strengths to the unique needs of the individuals we support.
• Partner with staff to develop meaningful vocational opportunities, community experiences, and daily programming.
• Respond proactively to operational challenges while maintaining a positive, solutions-focused culture.
• Participate in the rotating on-call schedule to support program continuity and emergency response.

Team Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Direct Support Professionals through ongoing feedback, mentoring, and performance management.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and employee development to build a highly engaged team.
• Ensure employees maintain all required certifications, training, and professional development requirements.
• Lead regular team meetings that promote communication, accountability, and collaboration.
• Model WDLT's mission, values, and commitment to person-centered care in every interaction.

Individual Success & Program Quality

• Ensure individuals receive services that support their vocational, emotional, social, behavioral, medical, and personal goals.
• Promote individualized programming that encourages independence, community inclusion, and meaningful employment opportunities.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, families, employers, and community partners to support successful individual outcomes.
• Provide direct program support whenever needed to ensure high-quality service delivery.

Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all documentation is completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with DDS requirements and agency policies.
• Review reports, documentation, and individual records to maintain compliance and quality standards.
• Prepare quarterly reports and participate in Individual Plan (IP), biannual, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Maintain familiarity with all agency systems and documentation requirements while promoting continuous improvement.

Organizational Leadership

• Develop a broad understanding of WDLT's residential, vocational, clinical, and administrative operations.
• Partner with leaders across departments to strengthen communication and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Lead special projects and operational initiatives as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary that reflects your experience and performance.
• Leadership development and opportunities for career advancement.
• A collaborative management team committed to supporting one another's success.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and the employees you lead.
• A mission-driven organization where leadership directly improves outcomes for the people we serve.

Required Trainings and Certifications

WDLT provides training and support to help you meet all certification requirements. The following must be maintained throughout employment and includes, but is not limited to:

• DDS Medication Administration Certification (required within first 6 months of employment)
• CPR Certification
• Physical & Psychological Management Training (PMT)
• Human Rights and Abuse/Neglect Training
• Other DDS Mandated Annual Training
• HR-related Training
• Attendance at required leadership meetings, staff meetings, and agency trainings

What You Bring

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Some college coursework in Human Services, Education, Psychology, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism in a vocational, educational, or community-based setting.
• Minimum of two years of leadership, supervision, job coaching, or staff development experience.

Skills & Capabilities

• Demonstrated leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent coaching, mentoring, and employee development abilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional judgment, initiative, and sound decision-making abilities.

Salary : $57,000 - $64,000