Assistant Program Director

Advocates; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocates seeks an Assistant Program Director to supervise evening and weekend shifts, coordinate with Direct Care Staff, and assist with schedules and activities for residents in a nonprofit setting.

The role involves ensuring safety procedures, coordinating with staff on documentation, and supporting daily operations of the house under supervision of the Program Director. Strong communication and driving responsibilities are required.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in human services or 1 year experience in related field.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, plan and complete tasks independently.
• Fluent English (written and spoken).
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle for transporting individuals.

Responsibilities

• Work with program participants to identify goals and objectives; assist with writing service plans and ensure implementation and follow through.
• Oversee program participants’ safety and fire safety procedures, including drills and staff/resident training.
• Assist with staff scheduling to ensure program coverage and budgetary compliance.
• Responsible for supervising all shift activities.
• Participates in in-service planning and development of individualized goals.
• Ensure goals are implemented with team support.
• Assist participants with functional skills to increase independence in daily living and healthcare management.
• Meet with each participant monthly to review procedures.
• Support program and individual recreation.
• Document safety checks, progress and challenges monthly.
• Assist participants with taking medications and community living skills.
• Participate in meetings with participants, families, teams, and staff.
• Report changes to Residential Program Nurse/Director.
• Complete all documentation and incident reports per funder requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality per policy and HIPAA.

Skills

Organization & planning

Communication skills

Fluent English

Valid driver’s license

Education

Associates degree in human services

1 year experience in related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

Starting Rate: $22.00-$23.00/hour

Schedule: Sunday through Thursday 3pm-11pm. Optional 7am-3pm shift on Sunday.

The Assistant Program Director is responsible for the supervision of evening and weekend shifts. They serve as the point person for residents and Direct Care Staff while on shift. The Assistant Program Director is responsible for assisting with the schedules, appointments and activities of the program participants as well as the daily operations of the house under the supervision of the Program Director. The Assistant Program Director will participate in the daily care of the residents and coordinate with Direct Care Staff as it pertains to resident documentation and paperwork.

Who We Are

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.

We’rea nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

Minimum Education Required

High School Diploma/GED

Responsibilities

• Work with program participants to identify goals and objectives; assist with writing service plans and ensure implementation and follow through.
• Oversee program participants’ safety and fire safety procedures to include: fire drills, training of staff and residents, oversight of Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) and Emergency Evacuation Plan.
• Assist with staff scheduling to ensure program coverage and budgetary compliance.
• Responsible for supervising all shift activities.
• Participates actively in-service planning meetings and development of individualized goals.
• Ensures that service goals are implemented and followed (with team support).
• Assists program participants with functional skills training to assist them to increase independence in areas related to directing support, healthcare management, emergency management, and Activities of Daily Living.
• Meets with each program participant a minimum of once monthly to check call devices and review emergency procedures.
• Supports with program and individual recreation.
• Documents program participant’s safety checks, progress and challenges monthly.
• Assists program participants with taking medications and with community living skills.
• Actively participates in program participant, family, team and staff meetings.
• Reports changes in program participant’s status or behavior to the Residential Program Nurse and/or Residential Program Director.
• Completes all documentation and Incident Reports, in accordance with funder requirements and Agency/program established deadlines.
• Maintains confidentiality with all facility and program participant information as required by HIPAA, Advocates, Inc., and program policies.
• Attends and actively participates in supervision and staff meetings.
• Attends assigned trainings and maintain necessary certifications and licenses (CPR/First Aid, Safety Care, MAP etc).
• Ensures that individuals we support are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Advocates’ Human Rights policy and the Advocates Way philosophy
• Drives residents in Advocates vehicles, including wheelchair lift-equipped vans as well as in personal vehicle.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in human services or 1 year experience in related field.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, plan and complete tasks independently.
• Strongly prefer that a candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to understand, speak, read and write fluent English.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer knowledge. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Must hold a valid drivers’ license. Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport individuals. Ability to operate agency vehicles.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview or hiring process, please contact Human Resources.