Director of Community, Life and Engagement

DescriptionThe Department of Developmental Services (DDS) seeks a dynamic, highly organized, mission-driven individual to fill the Director of Community, Life, and Engagement role. The selected candidate will serve as the department’s key senior program manager and provide support from the Central Office level to promote opportunities in key initiative areas for the people we serve.The focus of this position is to continue the expansion of the Employment First initiative with the primary focus of increasing individuals’ opportunities to live, work and thrive in their communities. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively within the Central Office Operations Unit to promote access, consistency, and transparency of service delivery options.The incumbent will serve as the department liaison for MassHealth related to Day Habilitation and Adult Day Health services in addition to ADDP to liaison with the Employment Coordinator and the Day Supports Workgroup.The position also includes working with HST and provider agencies to increase access and affordability to community transportation. This is a high priority of the Department’s to expand opportunities for DDS-supported individuals to live and work in their communities. The position also oversees the Deaf Services Program, including supervising the Deaf Services Program Coordinator and managing the ASL interpreter staff and contracts that are based out of the Central Office.Another very key focus to this position will be the Central Office lead on Transition/Turning 22 Services. This will include overseeing policy and process development and implementation with Chapter 688 and Transition.Other key duties include overseeing the Chapter 688 process, serving as the interagency contact, developing and managing the annual Turning 22 (T-22) budget, and being the lead subject matter expert on all things Transition/Turning 22 related with internal and external stakeholders.The Director of Community, Life, and Engagement will report to the Assistant Commissioner for Operations and work closely with them to set policy and program direction of existing employment and day services, transition services, and transportation services, and to develop innovative new programming meant to engage and connect individuals within their communities. This position will work closely with the Central Office Contracts Unit on all rate planning, RFR development, and implementation related to services and models that fall under their purview.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):Sets program direction and policy for Employment First initiatives and community inclusion efforts.Works with Central Office Contracts Unit and EHS Purchase of Service Unit to ensure all priority program considerations/issues are factored into any rate development updates for employment and day services.Manages various vendor contracts related to supported employment and day opportunities for DDS-supported individuals.Participates in various workgroups, conferences, and grant projects that raise awareness of National best practices related to day and employment service provision and community inclusion strategies.Promotes interagency collaboration and regularly communicates with Regional and Area leadership to discuss challenges and to provide updates on benchmarks. Issues of importance will be brought back to the Assistant Commissioner for Operations and Deputy Commissioner for Operations for follow-up.Liaisons with HST for transportation. Manages special projects assigned by the Assistant Commissioner for Operations.Provides guidance to the DDS Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for Operations on employment and day issues and participates in regular external stakeholder meetings.· Chapter 688 Form Processing- overseeing the Chapter 688 process from start to finish.Ensure handoff of ineligible cases to the correct sister agency for processing- documenting in the Virtual Gateway.Close 688 cases.· Work with the Central Office Director of Family Support/DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and the Educational Manager to develop user friendly documents related to graduation and transition to adult services.· Meet with Regional Transition Coordinator Groups to provide updates on Chapter 688 and other related information.· Assist the regions and areas with problem T-22 cases as needed.· Update Virtual Gateway T-22 access for service coordinators, supervisors, Intake and Eligibility (I&E) staff.· Liaison with the Bureau of Transition Planning (BTP) and sister agencies regarding the Ch. 688 process, assignments.· Work with the Assistant Commissioner, CFO, and Finance to develop the annual budget and annualizations.Performs other duties as assigned.Preferred Qualifications:Six (6) years of professional, administrative, and supervisory or management experience in a complex public or private agency is desirable.Comprehensive understanding of the provision of community-based day services and supported employment services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.Ability to lead workgroups of diverse individuals focused on improving employment and day services delivery.Understanding of Employment First initiative, person-centered service delivery, and community resource mapping and associated components, including but not limited to National trends, best practices, and quality assurances. In-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of intellectual and developmental disabilities and current trends in the field.Experience working with adults and transition-aged youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Working knowledge of MassHealth programs and services, including Day Habilitation and Adult Day HealthWorking knowledge of community transportation.Familiarity with the Chapter 688 law, the transition process from educational to adult service systems, and the ability to work collaboratively with state agencies and other stakeholders.Basic understanding of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) Community Rule and Massachusetts’ waiver programs.Familiarity with Charting the Life Course principles.Demonstrated knowledge of Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Individual Service Plans (ISP).Knowledge and in-depth understanding of National Trends in supporting individuals with ID/D in Employment.Expertise in planning, directing, and managing projects with measurable short/long-term impact.Successful experience in coordinating and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders/ colleagues.Strong competencies in analytic review and analysis as well as strategic and critical thinking.Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for budgeting purposes.About the Department of Developmental ServicesThe mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.For more information about our agency and programs visit: