Residential Staffing Director - Autism Model - 80 Acre Farm!

Bittersweet Farms; Whitehouse (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bittersweet Farms is seeking a Dedicated Residential Program Director to lead our Community Living Program at Whitehouse and Pemberville, Ohio. This role oversees residential operations, staffing development, and compliance to deliver high-quality participant outcomes.

You will supervise teams, coordinate admissions, and manage funding/reporting while fostering a person-centered culture for participants and employees alike.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; master's degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience with individuals with autism and/or developmental disabilities required.
• Understanding of state and federal funding systems, regulatory requirements, and service delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Lead Community Living Program operations across Whitehouse and Pemberville locations.
• Supervise and develop Direct Support Professionals and program leaders.
• Oversee admissions, budgets, compliance, and funding reporting.
• Maintain relationships with families, guardians, county boards and partners.
• Ensure ISPs, Behavioral Support Plans, and participant programming are delivered.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication

Multi-priority management

Conflict resolution

Change management

Professionalism & confidentiality

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Description

Community Living?Residential Director–Whitehouse?& Pemberville, Ohio

Bittersweet Farms, a world-renowned leader in serving individuals with autism, seeks a dedicated, experienced Residential Program Director to lead our Community Living Program at our Whitehouse and Pemberville locations.?

This leadership role oversees residential operations, ensures exceptional participant outcomes, supervises and develops staff, maintains compliance with county and state regulations, and manages funding systems and reporting requirements. The Residential Program Director plays a critical role in supporting Bittersweet's mission while fostering a positive, person-centered culture for participants and employees alike.?

Responsibilities:?

Program Leadership & Participant Support

• Ensure services and supports outlined in Individual Support Plans (ISPs) are delivered consistently, effectively, and as prescribed.?
• Ensure staff implement all Individual Support Plans, Behavioral Support Plans, and other participant-specific programming.?
• Proactively identify and eliminate barriers to quality services while promoting operational efficiency.?
• Work with staff as needed to meet participant needs and provide direct support.?
• Maintain positive relationships with participants' families, guardians, county boards, and community partners.?
• Oversee the admissions review process for Community Living participants.?

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop managers, program leaders, and Direct Support Professionals.?
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports and support ongoing professional development.?
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, performance management, disciplinary actions, investigations, and termination processes.?
• Facilitate hands‑on training, support, feedback, and supervision throughout the program.?
• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment aligned with Bittersweet's Core Values.?
• Collaborate with staffing managers to complete schedules and meet staffing needs.?
• Provide leadership presence across shifts, including?on-call responsibilities?

Operations, Compliance & Financial Management

• Manage county and state reporting requirements, including Monthly Rate Calculators (MRCs) and Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) documentation.?
• Monitor program budgets, revenues, and expenses to ensure fiscal responsibility.?
• Assist the Finance Department with funding discrepancies and county-level billing issues.?
• Maintain current knowledge of Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Medicaid, CMS, and other applicable regulations.?
• Ensure compliance with all organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.?
• Support incident management, investigations, and reporting, including Major Unusual Incidents (MUIs).?

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required; master's degree preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.?
• Minimum of 3-5 years of leadership or supervisory experience.?
• Experience working with individuals with autism and/or developmental disabilities required.?
• Understanding of state and federal funding systems, regulatory requirements, and service delivery models required.?

Skills

• Strong leadership, coaching, and supervisory abilities.?
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.?
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.?
• Strong conflict resolution and decision‑making skills.?
• Ability to lead teams through change while maintaining a positive culture.?
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.?
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.?

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and eligibility for coverage under Bittersweet's vehicle insurance policy.?
• Flexibility to meet operational needs, including evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities.