Program Specialist

Community Options, Inc.; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance benefits

Paid holidays

Generous PTO

Employee discounts

403b retirement plan

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Community Options, Inc. in Allentown, PA seeks a Full-Time Program Specialist to use best practices and technology within residential settings to teach individuals with developmental disabilities the skills for independence.

The role requires patience, crisis response, and flexible scheduling in a dynamic environment. Starting pay is $55,000 per year, with responsibilities spanning staff evaluations, budget monitoring, scheduling, trainings, documentation, and cross-disciplinary planning.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher with 1 year of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience
• Associate degree (60 credit hours) with 4 years of relevant experience
• Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record
• Complete state and agency required trainings
• Team-oriented with leadership experience

Responsibilities

• Complete staff evaluations including 90-day and annual reviews
• Monitor and maintain residential budgets
• Manage staff schedules and ensure shifts are adequately staffed
• Monitor and schedule required trainings, seminars, and conferences
• Monitor documentation to ensure accuracy
• Prepare progress reports for support teams and guardians
• Participate in IDT meetings and IHP development
• Submit monthly reports on operations and concerns
• May perform duties of direct support professionals as needed
• Cooperate with licensee and department staff during inspections

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team leadership

Time management

Crisis response

Education

Master’s degree or higher

Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree / 60 credit hours

Job description

Community Options, Inc. is a national non-profit agency providing services to individuals with disabilities in 12 states.

We are seeking a Full-Time Program Specialist in Allentown, PA. The Program Specialist uses best practices and technology within a community-based residential setting to teach individuals with developmental disabilities how to acquire the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social skills needed to live as independently as possible. This person must be able to handle the pressure of training in a public environment, exercise patience, work with flexible schedules, and respond to crisis situations. Ingenuity and creativity must be utilized when determining the best training methods, assistance, and supports for an individual with developmental disabilities.

Starting pay is $55,000/per year

Responsibilities

• Complete staff evaluations including but not limited to 90-day and annual reviews
• Monitor and maintain residential budgets
• Manage staff schedules and ensure shifts are adequately staffed
• Monitor and schedule required staff trainings, seminars, and conferences
• Monitor fiscal, medical, personal, and IHP documentation to ensure accuracy
• Participate in Circle(s) of Support for personal future planning
• Monitor and schedule house and vehicle maintenance
• Assist in maintaining and monitoring of consumer’s finances
• Monitor and report the health and medical needs of individuals
• Build a support network between individuals and community members
• Prepare progress reports for individuals’ immediate support group, including their family and/or guardian, staff, employment specialist, case manager, and other professionals
• Ensure consistent service delivery that connects work, home, and recreational needs
• Serve as an active member of an individuals’ Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT), which includes involvement in Individual Habilitation Plan development
• Submit monthly written reports to the appropriate individuals outlining operational status, progress, and concerns
• May perform the duties of direct support professionals as necessary, in accordance with current staffing needs
• Employees must cooperate with the licensee and department staff in any inspection, inquiry or investigation
• Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned

Minimum Requirements

• A master’s degree or above from an accredited college or university and 1 year of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.
  2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.
  3. An associate’s degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and 4 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
• Complete all state and agency required training per state guidelines
• Team-oriented with demonstrated leadership experience
• Experience with problem solving against multiple priorities
• Ability to establish a comfortable and supportive relationship with individuals receiving supports
• Ability to exercise good judgment and remain calm in crisis situations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills

Why Community Options?

• Competitive Insurance Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid Holidays—Including a Birthday Holiday
• Generous PTO
• Employee Incentive & Discount Programs
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Incredible career growth opportunities

Community Options is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

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