Director, Community, Life and Engagement

Director, Community, Life and Engagement

Join to apply for the

Director, Community, Life and Engagement

role at

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services .

This role is a senior program manager at the Central Office level supporting the Employment First initiative, community inclusion, day services, transportation, Deaf Services Program, and Transition / Turning 22 Services.

Base Pay Range

$100,839.00 / yr - $155,529.00 / yr

Key Responsibilities

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.

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, and closing 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.

Liaison with the Bureau of Transition Planning (BTP) and sister agencies regarding the Ch. 688 process and assignments.

Work with the Assistant Commissioner, CFO, and Finance to develop the annual budget and annualizations.

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.

Working knowledge of MassHealth programs and services, including Day Habilitation and Adult Day Health.

Working knowledge of community transportation.

Familiarity with the Chapter 688 law and 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.

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http : / / www.mass.gov / hhs / cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education and license / certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre‑employment screening which includes :

Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search : https : / / www.mass.gov / info-details / dppc-abuser-registry

Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http : / / www.mass.gov / hhs / cori

National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint‑based check. https : / / www.mass.gov / lists / dds-fingerprint-background-checks

If you require assistance with the application / interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

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.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have at least six (6) years of full‑time or equivalent part‑time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience.

Substitutions :

A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.

A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

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.

Equal Opportunity / Affimative Action Employer

An Equal Opportunity / Affimative 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.

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