Program Specialist - Pittsburgh

Barber National Institute; Pittsburgh, Northern (Allegheny County, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Barber National Institute is seeking a dedicated Program Specialist to lead our Residential service line and oversee ISP development for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. You will coordinate multidisciplinary supports, ensure regulatory compliance, and guide staff in person-centered practices.

The role emphasizes care coordination, quality documentation, and collaboration with families and support coordinators to promote independence and community inclusion.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher with relevant experience in services for individuals with IDs or autism.
• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of applicable experience or an Associate degree with 4+ years.
• Experience with ISP implementation, person-centered planning and regulatory compliance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate programmatic and clinical supports for individuals served.
• Develop, review and monitor ISP plans and annual assessments.
• Ensure services align with goals, preferences and Chapter 6400 requirements.
• Participate in audits, licensing inspections and regulatory reviews.
• Collaborate with Residential Supervisors, Nursing, Behavior Specialists and coordinators.
• Oversee documentation quality and incident reporting; provide staff guidance.

Skills

Leadership

Organization

Communication

Collaboration

Person-centered planning

Documentation quality

Regulatory compliance

Coaching

Continuous improvement

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree / 60 credits

Tools

Electronic documentation

Incident management

Job description

Overview:

We are "making dreams come true." Our organization provides children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges—and their families—the education, support, and resources needed to be self-reliant, independent, and valued members of their communities.

We are seeking a dedicated and person-centered Program Specialist to support our Residential service line. In this role, you will serve as the programmatic lead for assigned Community Homes, ensuring individuals receive high-quality, coordinated supports that align with their goals, preferences, and Individual Support Plans (ISPs). You will play a key role in care coordination, regulatory compliance, documentation oversight, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to promote positive outcomes and quality of life.

What You'll Bring:

• A passion for supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, support coordinators, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Commitment to person-centered planning and community inclusion.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation quality.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining compliance and service excellence.
• Leadership skills that support coaching, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Have:

• Master's degree and one year of experience working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism; OR
• Bachelor's degree and two years of experience working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism; OR
• Associate degree or 60 college credits and four years of experience working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism.
• Experience supporting person-centered planning, ISP implementation, and regulatory compliance preferred.
• Medication Administration, CPR, and First Aid certifications upon hire.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet agency driving requirements.
• Experience using electronic documentation and incident management systems.
• Successful completion of all required background checks and clearances.

A Typical Day May Include:

• Coordinating programmatic, health, behavioral, and social supports for assigned individuals.
• Participating in ISP development, annual reviews, assessments, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Monitoring implementation of person-centered supports and ensuring services align with individual goals.
• Reviewing documentation for quality, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with Chapter 6400 regulations.
• Preparing for audits, licensing inspections, and regulatory reviews.
• Conducting visits to Community Homes to monitor service quality and support implementation.
• Collaborating with Residential Supervisors, Nursing, Behavior Specialists, and Support Coordinators to ensure continuity of care.
• Supporting admissions, transitions, annual meetings, and discharge planning.
• Monitoring health and safety concerns and escalating risks when appropriate.
• Entering and following up on incident reports in accordance with agency and regulatory requirements.
• Providing guidance and training to staff on documentation, ISP implementation, and individual-specific supports.
• Supporting onboarding and ongoing staff development related to person-centered practices and compliance expectations.
• Participating in quality improvement initiatives, committees, and cross-functional projects.