Direct Care Program Lead

Merakey; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 55,792,800 - 61,440,960; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Coverage

Retirement Plan

DailyPay

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Merakey seeks a Program Lead in Harrisburg, PA to oversee day-to-day program operations, coordinate activities, and ensure high-quality services for participants. The role may involve managing a caseload and supervising staff under a Program Manager.

Ideal candidates bring strong interpersonal and organizational skills, the ability to handle emergencies, and a commitment to safety and program integrity in a residential setting.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to make quick decisions and remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Act as Lead staff and point person during shifts.
• Prepare and manage house schedules with Program Manager.
• Approve all DSP timecards and leave requests.
• Direct care duties including ADL, food preparation, and supervision.
• Medication management and administration.
• Incident management with Program Manager and QCO.
• Manage household needs: menu, groceries, housekeeping.
• Ensure upkeep and maintenance of assigned home and safety protocols.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Conflict resolution

Task prioritization

Multitasking

Decision making

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Education

High School diploma/G.E.D. or 4–5 years in human services

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do.

We are seeking a Program Lead in Harrisburg, PA to join our team!

The Program Lead plays a critical role in the day‑to‑day management and oversight of specific programs or services within their identified Division. Reporting to the Program Manager, this position is responsible for coordinating program activities and ensuring the delivery of high‑quality services to program participants. This role may manage a caseload of its own.

Essential Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to make quick decisions and remain calm under pressure
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Staff Management

• Provide guidance, support, and direction to staff members
• Assign duties and responsibilities to staff based on program needs and individuals' strengths
• Conduct regular check‑ins and provide feedback to staff regarding performance and areas for improvement

Client Care and Safety

• Ensure the safety and security of clients and staff by enforcing program policies and procedures
• Monitor client behavior and intervene as necessary to de‑escalate conflicts or address concerns
• Respond to emergencies or crises effectively, following established protocols and seeking assistance as needed

Specific Job Functions

• Acts as Lead staff and point person when on shift
• Prepares and manages house schedules in coordination with the Program Manager
• Approve all DSP timecards and leave requests
• Direct Care responsibilities to include but not limited to ADL's, food preparation/feeding, maintaining required supervision requirements
• Medication management and administration
• Incident Management in coordination with Program Manager and QCO
• Manages all household needs to include but not limited to menu development, grocery shopping, housekeeping
• Ensure ongoing upkeep and maintenance of assigned home
  • Ensures overall cleanliness ongoing
  • Daily maintenance needs (lightbulbs, filter cleanings, etc.)
  • Identifies needed repairs and submits maintenance requests

Earn $19.48/hour in this position with the option of an additional $2/hour with the selection of enhanced pay.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan – both pre‑tax and Roth (after‑tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay – access your pay when you need it!
• Access to the Goga well‑being platform, featuring self‑care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

About Merakey

Merakey is a non‑profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Merakey strictly follows a zero‑tolerance policy for abuse.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old.
• Must have a verifiable High School diploma/G.E.D. OR 4–5 years' experience working in a human services residential setting
• 1–3 total years of experience required
• Willingness to obtain NADSP Certification obtained within first year of hire, if required

Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits