Position Title: Associate Director, Community Participation Supports (CPS)
Reports to: Director, Community Participation Supports
FSLA status: Non-exempt

Summary
The Associate Director of Community Participation Supports is a key leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight, design, and implementation of inclusive programming. This program bridges the gap between traditional facility-based services and community-integrated activities. The Associate Director ensures that all services foster independence, vocational readiness, and artistic expression while remaining in strict compliance with state regulations and agency standards. The Associate Director steps in for the Director in their absence and serves as a primary point of contact for complex clinical or operational issues.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Curriculum Oversight: Lead the development of a comprehensive, age-appropriate curriculum that spans arts, employment readiness, and life skills for community-based settings.
• Innovation & Growth: Identify and implement best practices in Community Participation Supports (CPS) to transition participants from facility-based settings to active community membership.
• Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with local businesses, galleries, and civic organizations to create volunteer, exhibition, and pre-vocational opportunities.
• Marketing & Intake Collaboration: Work with the intake and marketing teams to expand program enrollment and maintain a vibrant social media presence showcasing participant achievements.

Staff Management & Development

• Supervision: Oversee Program Coordinators and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs); provide ongoing coaching, performance evaluations, and disciplinary guidance.
• Resource Allocation: Manage daily staff-to-participant ratios and re-distribute personnel dynamically to meet the needs of in-person cohorts.
• Mentorship: Act as a subject matter expert for staff on de-escalation techniques, person-centered planning, and the use of the arts as an engagement tool.

 Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Regulatory Excellence: Translate complex state regulations (e.g., ODP/DPW) into daily practice; ensure all Individual Written Program Plans (IWPP) and behavioral plans are implemented and tracked accurately.
• Documentation Oversight: Audit daily participant attendance sheets, community logbooks, and incident reports to ensure 100% compliance with funding and licensing requirements.
• Safety & Crisis Management: Serve as a high-level lead for crisis intervention and behavioral de-escalation, ensuring the safety of participants and staff across all environments.

Stakeholder Engagement Professional Representation: Represent the agency at regional meetings, conferences, and community events to advocate for inclusive programming.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Special Education, Fine Arts, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel/Word).
• Clinical/Safety Skills: Current CPR/First Aid certification; ability to obtain Medication Administration certification; proficiency in crisis intervention and de-escalation (e.g., Safety-Care or CPI).
• Clearances: Ability to pass all criminal record checks, child abuse history clearances, and drug screenings.
• Logistics: Valid driver’s license and a willingness to transport participants or travel between community sites as needed.

Physical Environment / Working Conditions
Facility and community based programming. Required to lift and/or physically support program participants independently or with other staff. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resumé to HR@sparcphilly.org, using "Associate Director, Community Participation Supports (CPS)" as the subject line.

SpArc is an equal opportunity employer.