Director of Community, Life and Engagement

Job Description - Director of Community, Life and Engagement (250007TI)

Director of Community, Life and Engagement (250007TI)

The 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 high priority of the Department’s is 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 (general summary)

• 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, ensuring handoff of ineligible cases to the correct sister agency for processing, documenting in the Virtual Gateway, and closing 688 cases.
• Work with the Central Office Director of Family Support / DESE 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

About the Department of Developmental Services

The 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 ($2.7 B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

Education and License / Certification Information

Recommended Candidates Must Successfully Complete Pre‑Employment Screening

For technical help with MassCareers, including logging into your profile and / or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at 617‑979‑8500 for assistance.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1‑800‑510‑4122 Ext. #4.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS :

Substitutions

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non‑management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

An Equal Opportunity / Affidative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self‑select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Program Manager VII

Primary Location

Job : Community and Social Services

Agency : Department of Developmental Services

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 100,839.08 - 155,529.95 Yearly

If you have Diversity, affirmative action, or equal employment opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Christina Hyppolite, Christina.R.Hyppolite@mass.gov - 857-283-5830

Bargaining Unit : M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes

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