Community Living Program Manager

DIVISION: Community Living

REPORTS TO: Community Living Operations Manager

SUPERVISES:10-30

EXEMPTION STATUS: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY: The Program Manager (PM) is a frontline leader within Behavioral Health Allies Community Living division and serves as the primary executor and implementer of services within assigned residential homes. Program Managers are directly accountable for the quality of care staff performance compliance safety and culture within the homes they oversee.

The Program Manager is embedded in the homes and responsible for day-to-day execution. PMs lead through presence accountability and follow-through. The Program Manager is the direct leader of DSPs and Shift Supervisors and is responsible for building stable well-trained high-performing teams.

The Program Manager is people-focused and outcomes-driven with a primary emphasis on staff training retention service quality regulatory compliance and safe well-run homes.

Program Managers are responsible for ensuring that daily operations staff practices and home environments align with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and evidence-based behavior support in close partnership with the clinical team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelors degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience required (4 years minimum)

Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or management experience

Minimum of two (2) years experience in residential services HCBS programs or supporting individuals with complex behavioral or developmental needs preferred

Experience working with challenging behaviors required

Skills & Competencies

Valid drivers license meeting transportation requirements (Missouri Class E out-of-state equivalent or CDL with Passenger/School Bus endorsement).

Strong leadership presence with an ownership mentality

Ability to train coach and hold staff accountable

Working knowledge of DMH Medicaid and Community Living standards

Innovative problem-solver who challenges outdated practices

High accountability and follow-through

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced 24/7 environment

Ability to lead calmly and decisively in high-pressure situations

Organizational and time management proficiency

Strong leadership organizational and time management skills

Excellent verbal and written communication abilities

Knowledge of crisis management safety and compliance standards

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and operational data management systems

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Dignity First

Ensures all individuals are treated with dignity respect and compassion at all times

Holds staff accountable for professional respectful interactions with individuals served

Immediately addresses any behavior by staff that compromises physical or emotional safety

Models trauma-informed respectful leadership in all interactions

Person-Centered Outcomes

Ensures daily routines supports and activities reflect individual preferences goals and needs

Verifies that Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and individual plans are implemented with fidelity

Coaches DSPs on person-centered language choice and autonomy

Partners with clinical teams to adjust supports based on individual progress and needs

Ensures BSPs and clinical programming are implemented using ABA principles and evidence-based interventions

Monitors behavioral and skill-acquisition data to ensure supports are effective and implemented with fidelity

Connected Community

Promotes meaningful community involvement and inclusion for individuals served

Ensures DSPs actively engage individuals in relationships routines and activities

Builds and maintains positive relationships with families guardians and stakeholders

Fosters a home culture where individuals feel safe valued and connected

Whole Person Support

Oversees delivery of comprehensive supports addressing behavioral emotional physical and social needs

Ensures medical appointments medication administration and health-related documentation are accurate and compliant

Monitors individual well-being and escalates concerns promptly

Collaborates with clinical medical and support teams to ensure continuity of care

Ensures operational routines staffing and environments support clinical intent and behavioral goals

Empowerment Through Daily Life

Ensures individuals are supported to build independence and life skills through daily routines

Coaches staff to use daily activities as opportunities for growth and success

Monitors staff engagement and ensures individuals are meaningfully occupied

Celebrates progress and reinforces positive outcomes for individuals and staff

Ensures DSPs embed ABA-based teaching reinforcement and skill development into daily routines

Reinforces the use of structured routines predictable expectations and positive reinforcement

Integrity In Action

Maintains full compliance with DMH Medicaid and BHA standards

Ensures all documentation is accurate timely and audit-ready at all times

Conducts routine internal audits fidelity checks and corrective actions

Addresses compliance gaps immediately and documents follow-through

Leads with transparency and accountability in decision-making

Conducts fidelity checks of BSP and programming implementation and addresses drift through coaching and corrective action

Collaborative Teamwork

Directly leads trains and supervises DSPs and Shift Supervisors

Personally participates in onboarding and in-home training of new staff

Provides ongoing coaching feedback and performance management

Identifies training needs and partners with the Operations Manager and HR

Supports staff retention through engagement clarity and accountability

Serves as a day-to-day champion of ABA principles within the home reinforcing expectations with DSPs and Shift Supervisors

Models belief in evidence-based behavioral practices and aligns ABA principles with BHAs mission values and Standards of Excellence

Consistency and Compassion

Ensures staffing ratios are met and fills shifts as needed to maintain continuity of care

Maintains predictable routines schedules and expectations within the home

Responds calmly and effectively during crises or high-stress situations

Leads and assists with crisis response using approved PCM techniques

Ensures incidents are documented reviewed and used for continuous improvement

Ensure employees follow all BHA standards

Home Operations Safety & Environment

Maintains clean safe and sanitary homes at all times

Conducts regular safety and environmental walkthroughs

Oversees maintenance repairs vehicles and equipment

Ensures emergency preparedness and adherence to safety protocols

Compliance Risk & Quality Assurance

Ensure all homes remain audit-ready at all times

Monitor compliance with DMH HCBS Medicaid and internal standards

Financial & Resource Management

Program Managers are responsible for sound financial stewardship within their assigned homes and programs.

Manages assigned homes in alignment with approved budgets and financial targets

Reviews and approves staff timecards accurately and timely; monitors overtime and staffing efficiency

Monitors client-specific budgets and identifies variances or concerns proactively

Audits client funds spending logs and receipts to ensure accuracy compliance and ethical use

Ensures all client purchases and expenditures align with person-centered plans and funding requirements

Partners with Operations Manager and Business Office on budget variance explanations and corrective actions

Identifies cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality of care or safety

Ensures proper use tracking and safeguarding of company and client resources

On-Call & 24/7 Leadership

Community Living is a 24/7 operation. Program Managers are expected to lead accordingly and ensure continuity of care at all times.

Serves as an on-call leader including nights weekends and holidays as scheduled or required

Responds promptly and professionally to staffing safety and operational issues outside of standard business hours

Actively works to fill open shifts by contacting available staff and coordinating coverage

Is expected to report to the home and work shifts personally when staffing cannot be secured and ratios must be maintained

Ensures staffing ratios and coverage requirements are met at all times

Makes real-time decisions to protect client safety service continuity and compliance

Communicates escalations and resolutions clearly and timely to the Operations Manager

Models ownership and accountability during high-stress or urgent situations

Accountability & Impact

Program Managers are directly accountable for:

Quality of care and safety of individuals served

Staff performance training and retention

Compliance and audit outcomes

Home operations and service stability

High-fidelity implementation of ABA-based behavior supports and clinical programming within assigned homes

Other Duties

Conduct staff training supervision and performance evaluations as assigned

Participate in on-call rotations for behavioral crisis response

Complete all documentation billing and reporting requirements in accordance with BHA and regulatory guidelines

Uphold BHAs mission values and Standards of Excellences values in all work performed

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical Dental & Vision insurance
• 401(k) HSA and Flexible Spending Account options
• Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage
• PTO and Sick Time accrue starting Day 1
• $100 monthly wellness spending account after 90 days
• OnDemand Pay (access pay when needed)
• Bonus program eligibility

Starting Salary: Our compensation is competitive within the market. The starting rate for this position begins at $63003.20 annually with your final offer based on a combination of your education relevant experience and overall qualifications.