Director of Community Services

Join our dedicated team at Independence Association as the Director of Community Services, where you will provide strategic leadership for our community-based programs. This pivotal role offers an exciting opportunity to shape innovative, person-centered services that empower individuals with disabilities to lead purposeful lives, foster authentic relationships, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and achieve their personal goals. If you are passionate about community engagement, leadership development, and delivering impactful services, we invite you to apply.

Working collaboratively with agency leadership, Program Managers, employees, and community partners, the Director develops leaders, strengthens community partnerships, anticipates emerging needs, and leads the ongoing evolution of services to ensure Independence Association remains responsive, relevant, and positioned for long-term vitality and sustainability. In doing so, the Director creates opportunities for individuals we support to contribute, create, connect, and belong.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership

· Provide leadership and direction for assigned community-based services and participate in agency-wide strategic planning.

· Establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and lead organizational change and continuous improvement.

Program Development & Quality

· Identify emerging community needs and develop innovative services, partnerships, and opportunities that ensure Independence Association remains responsive to evolving community needs and positioned for long-term sustainability.

· Develop programs and opportunities that foster creativity, meaningful relationships, lifelong learning, opportunities to contribute, and authentic participation in community life.

· Develop, evaluate, and continuously improve person-centered services that are innovative, financially responsible, outcome-driven, and aligned with best practices.

· Use quality assurance findings, performance data, and stakeholder feedback to improve services and participant outcomes.

· Participate in committees, strategic initiatives, and special projects.

Fiscal & Operational Management

· Develop and manage program budgets, staffing resources, service authorizations, and operational systems.

· Monitor financial and operational performance and implement improvements as needed.

Leadership & Employee Development

· Recruit, supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate Program Managers and other assigned employees.

· Promote employee engagement, leadership development, and collaborative teamwork.

Person-Centered Services

· Ensure services reflect each individual's strengths, preferences, goals, and informed choices while promoting dignity, independence, creativity, authentic relationships, employment, lifelong learning, community participation, belonging, and quality of life.

· Protect the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of individuals receiving services.

Community Partnerships

· Develop collaborative relationships with individuals served, families, employers, schools, community organizations, healthcare providers, state agencies, and other stakeholders to expand opportunities, strengthen community partnerships, and identify emerging service needs.

Compliance & Service Coordination

· Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licensing standards, MaineCare requirements, and agency policies.

· Maintain documentation systems supporting quality services, timely records, regulatory compliance, and accurate billing.

· Coordinate referrals, admissions, and ongoing services with Program Managers, Case Managers, families, healthcare providers, and support teams.

  · Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Healthcare Administration, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.

· Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or similar populations.

· Three years of supervisory experience.

· Experience in program development, budgeting, quality improvement, and organizational leadership.

· Knowledge of person-centered practices, MaineCare-funded services, and applicable regulatory requirements.

· Valid driver's license, ability to meet agency driving requirements, and successful completion of required background checks.