Assistant Program Manager

The Kennedy Collective Inc; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kennedy Collective Inc. seeks a Program Manager to lead and oversee residential, day, and community-based service programs in Connecticut.

You will ensure high-quality, person-centered supports, regulatory compliance, and responsible resource management. Under senior leadership, supervise staff, coordinate operations, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote health, safety, inclusion, and positive outcomes for individuals served.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in a DDS setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience with scheduling, supervision, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership and supervision to program staff and oversee daily operations of assigned services.
• Coordinate staffing, training, and supervision to ensure person-centered supports.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, documentation accuracy, and timely reporting.

Skills

Person-Centered Leadership

Team Leadership & Employee Development

Program Operations & Service Delivery

Communication & Collaboration

Professionalism & Ethical Practice

Quality, Compliance & Safety

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

EHR Systems

Regulatory Documentation Software

Job description

The Program Manager provides leadership, supervision, and operational oversight for assigned residential, day, community-based, or other service programs at The Kennedy Collective. Under the direction of senior leadership, the Program Manager oversees the delivery of person-centered services, supervises and develops employees, ensures regulatory compliance, manages program operations and resources, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to promote health, safety, community inclusion, and positive individual outcomes. The Program Manager is responsible for fostering high-quality service delivery, supporting employee performance and development, and ensuring programs operate in accordance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, and organizational goals.

Core Competencies

• Person-Centered Leadership: Models and promotes person-centered practices that support dignity, choice, independence, and positive outcomes for individuals served.
• Team Leadership & Employee Development: Provides day-to-day leadership, coaching, training, and support to employees while promoting accountability, teamwork, engagement, and professional growth.
• Program Operations & Service Delivery: Supports daily program operations by coordinating staffing, schedules, resources, and service delivery to ensure quality supports and operational efficiency.
• Communication & Collaboration: Builds positive relationships and communicates effectively with individuals served, families, guardians, employees, interdisciplinary teams, and community partners while maintaining accurate, timely, and confidential documentation.
• Professionalism & Ethical Practice: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, ethical conduct, cultural competence, sound judgment, and professionalism while supporting The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, values, and commitment to quality services.
• Quality, Compliance & Safety: Promotes compliance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, licensing requirements, and safety standards while supporting quality improvement and risk reduction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Provide direct support to individuals served while assisting with the daily operations of assigned residential, day, community-based, or other service programs.
• Assist the Program Manager with supervising, coaching, scheduling, training, and supporting assigned employees while promoting accountability, professionalism, person-centered practices, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate daily staffing assignments, program coverage, schedules, calendars, transportation, recreational activities, and other program operations to ensure quality service delivery.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training of new employees.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to implement, monitor, and support Individual Plans (IPs/ISPs), behavioral support plans, nursing protocols, and other individualized services.
• Assist with employee timekeeping, scheduling, attendance tracking, and time-off administration in accordance with agency policies.
• Serve as a role model by demonstrating best practices, mentoring employees, and promoting a positive team environment.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Support compliance with Connecticut DDS regulations, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, agency policies, HIPAA requirements, and applicable federal and state laws.
• Participate in licensing reviews, Quality Service Reviews, audits, investigations, and corrective action activities.
• Review documentation within the organization's electronic health record (EHR) and other agency systems for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance, escalating concerns as appropriate.
• Ensure incidents, investigations, GERs, DDS reports, abuse and neglect reports, restrictive procedures, and other required documentation are completed accurately and within established timelines.
• Monitor employee compliance with required trainings, certifications, medication administration requirements, and other regulatory qualifications.
• Assist with annual assessments, wellness monitoring, audits, and other quality assurance activities as assigned.
• Assist with purchasing, petty cash, inventories, billing, and other administrative responsibilities in accordance with agency policies and approved budgets.
• Assist with oversight of individual financial accounts, benefits, and personal funds, when applicable, in accordance with agency policy and DDS requirements.
• Maintain accurate program records, reports, inventories, and administrative documentation.

Health, Safety & Individual Supports

• Provide direct support to individuals served, including assistance with activities of daily living, implementation of person-centered plans, community participation, transportation, appointments, and skill development as needed.
• Coordinate and monitor medical appointments, physician orders, medication administration, nursing protocols, wellness checks, and other healthcare-related supports.
• Promote and protect the health, safety, dignity, privacy, and rights of individuals by ensuring compliance with HIPAA, abuse and neglect reporting requirements, emergency preparedness procedures, and agency policies.
• Respond appropriately to behavioral, medical, environmental, and operational emergencies using approved intervention techniques, sound judgment, and agency procedures.
• Maintain safe, clean, organized, and supportive program environments that promote health, safety, and positive individual outcomes.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain professional, respectful, and timely communication with individuals served, employees, families, guardians, community partners, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders while preserving confidentiality.
• Maintain all required trainings, certifications, licenses, and qualifications for both self and assigned employees in accordance with agency, Connecticut DDS, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, cultural competence, accountability, and person-centered leadership consistent with The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, values, and policies.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and professional development by fostering a positive work environment and supporting employee growth and retention.
• Provide operational support and coverage across programs, locations, shifts, and service settings as assigned to meet organizational and staffing needs.
• Perform additional duties, assignments, and projects as assigned to support organizational operations and the needs of individuals served.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and satisfactory driving record. Must be able to travel between assigned programs and transport individuals served, as needed.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a Connecticut DDS or comparable human services setting.
• Basic knowledge of Connecticut DDS regulations, person-centered practices, Individual Plans (IPs/ISPs), and agency policies.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, families, guardians, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, electronic health record (EHR) systems, and other technology platforms used to support program operations and documentation.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and initiative in a person-centered environment.
• Must complete and maintain all required agency, Connecticut DDS, PMT, CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration Certification (as applicable), and other required trainings, certifications, and qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Rehabilitation, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Previous experience serving in a lead, senior, or supervisory role within a Connecticut DDS residential, day, or community-based program.
• Experience with employee scheduling, staffing coordination, onboarding, coaching, or performance support.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems, incident reporting, and regulatory documentation.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations; bilingual skills preferred.