Area Director

Apace (formerly Region V Services); Auburn (NE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Apace in Nebraska seeks an Area Director to oversee operations for day, residential, and wrap-around supports across the assigned Area/Agency. The role reports to the COO and partners with finance, HR, and program leadership to ensure quality services and effective habilitative programs.

The director drives staff development, budgeting, community engagement, and regulatory compliance. Travel within the region is required, with evening meetings and overnight stays possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• Four years of administrative or supervisory experience in vocational/day or residential services or rehab programs.
• Valid Nebraska driver’s license or reliable transportation.
• Willingness to be on-call for area program emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Direct operations for assigned area, ensuring high-quality services and supports.
• Oversee staff development, budgeting, and day-to-day agency operations.
• Collaborate with finance, HR, and executive teams; manage community relations and engagement.
• Ensure compliance with licensing, regulations, and safety standards.
• Arrange safe transport and coordinate medical/mental health services in partnership with clinical staff.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Supervision

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Services, Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Area Director reports to the Chief Operating Officer or other assigned member of the Executive Team and is responsible for the operations of their assigned area and the provision of high-quality services and supports for individuals supported, including day, residential, and other wrap-around services as identified for each individual supported within their assigned Area/Agency.

Description

The Area Director reports to the Chief Operating Officer or other assigned member of the Executive Team and is responsible for the operations of their assigned area and the provision of high-quality services and supports for individuals supported, including day, residential, and other wrap-around services as identified for each individual supported within their assigned Area/Agency.

The Director works collaboratively with other areas of administration, such as finance, human resources or other area leadership teams responsible for the day-to-day operations of their agency including staff recruitment and development, growth and development of effective habilitative programs and services, budget management, and community relations and engagement.

The Director must establish a professional environment within their Agency which enables opportunities for teaching, learning, and growth for individuals supported, their families, and the agency leadership team and staff. Utilizes the Apace Mission to facilitate agency decision-making.

SCHEDULE

This is a 40-hour-a-week, overtime-exempt position. The Area Director must be generally available to respond to emergencies at any time. The Director travels within the region and may have required meetings late in the evening that require overnight travel.

Apace offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition assistance, and retirement benefits. Review benefits online @ www.goapace.com/benefits

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, interpret, monitor, and enforce policies and procedures, with approval of Governing Board/Executive Director to include personnel policies, positive behavioral supports, human rights, ethical conduct, and licensure/regulation.
• Ensures that all individuals receiving Apace supports are afforded a quality of life that is reflected in the individual’s program plan and the Mission Guidelines.
• Prepares annual operating budgets and oversees the day-to-day financial operations of the local agency.
• Promotes the agency's activities, services, and goals through memberships, collaboration, speaking engagements, tours, and other public education activities.
• Is a visible leader in the community by serving on regional and local boards and committees that govern and support agency services.
• Leads the agency management team through communicating, decision making, assuring quality customer service, and mediating conflicts.
• Provides for safe, efficient transportation for individuals supported when public transportation or community supports are not available.
• Ensures that individuals receive appropriate medical and mental health care by the Medical Services Associate and the Healthcare Coordinator in collaboration with the Apace nurse.
• Plans and obtains staff development and in-service training to maintain professional standards and competencies of staff.
• Monitors the collection, recording, and reporting of accurate data for planning and coordination of agency and regional services.
• Meets and exceeds the licensing standards of DHHS DDD, Department of Labor, Health Department, Department of Education, OSHA, and Social Security.
• Performs other duties as required by Apace.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated competence in the principles and practices of the education and support of individuals with developmental disabilities, considerable knowledge of personnel administration, budgeting, and financial management principles, general management techniques, and thorough knowledge of applicable governmental regulations.
• Ability to: establish and maintain cooperative relationships; express good judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; express ideas clearly and effectively, orally and in writing; give effective administrative leadership to the program; and plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
• Lifting may be required at the service location. If lifting or other adaptive equipment is available, it MUST be used.

Requirements

Required Education, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Services, Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, or other closely related fields.
• Four years of experience in vocational/day services or residential services or rehabilitation programs, or related fields with progressive administrative or supervisory experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a driver’s license valid in the state of Nebraska or other adequate means of transportation.
• Performs duties “on-call” to attend to area program emergencies.
• Must possess a reliable means of communication (e.g. telephone, cell phone, etc.).
• May be subject to criminal history and APS/CPS background checks as well as drug and alcohol screenings.
• May be required to live within the area.