Program Director

Program Director – IDD Services

Salary: $50,000 | Dayforce Wallet (On-Demand Pay) | Full-Time | Exempt | On-Call Role

Make a Difference Every Day

As a Program Director with Sevita, you’ll lead residential and community-based programs that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live full and independent lives. This leadership role oversees program operations, regulatory compliance, staff development, financial performance, person-centered supports, and quality outcomes across assigned programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• ICF (Intermediate Care Facility) experience is highly preferred.
• A Bachelor's degree in a qualifying Social Science field is required.
• Acceptable Social Science degrees include:
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Special Education
  • Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Social Work (meeting applicable educational requirements)
  • Recreation
  • Recreation Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Human Services
  • Other closely related Social Science disciplines

Applicants without a qualifying Social Science degree do not meet the minimum educational requirements for this position.

Scope of Role

Responsible for managing the services delivered to a designated program or set of programs and overseeing the overall operation of those programs.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee the organization and implementation of direct supports, person-centered planning, health care coordination, advocacy, stakeholder relations, regulatory compliance, staffing, training, financial management, census management, and maintenance of the physical environment.

Essential Job Functions

Staff Management

• Recruitment & Hiring: Participate in hiring events as needed and partner with Talent Acquisition to identify hiring needs for Direct Support Professionals and Program Supervisors in consultation with the Area Director.
• Meetings & Training: Organize and implement on-site orientation and training for assigned programs, monitor training compliance and documentation, conduct monthly staff meetings, and attend regional meetings as required.
• Employee Scheduling: Develop and monitor staffing schedules to ensure all shifts are covered while minimizing overtime.
• Performance Management: Conduct performance snapshots and evaluations for direct reports. Review and approve evaluations for Direct Support Professionals and other assigned staff.
• Coaching & Employee Relations: Coach employees, address performance concerns, recommend disciplinary action when appropriate, and partner with Human Resources regarding employee relations, discipline, and terminations.
• Employee Safety: Promote employee safety, oversee workers' compensation processes, assist employees returning to work, and ensure compliance with company safety procedures.

Program Management

• Program Planning: Serve as the Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP), when applicable. Develop, write, approve, and oversee implementation of Individual Program Plans.
• Records & Documentation: Audit individual records and program documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
• Program Team Meetings: Lead interdisciplinary meetings, quarterly and annual reviews, and approve written progress reports.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with licensing regulations, documentation standards, individual rights, confidentiality requirements, and Sevita compliance policies.
• Individual Funds & Property: Oversee systems for managing individuals' funds and property while ensuring accountability and accuracy.
• Stakeholder Relations: Maintain positive relationships with individuals served, families, guardians, case managers, referral sources, and community partners while serving as the primary program contact.
• Government & Community Relations: Participate in advocacy efforts, community partnerships, and government relations while ensuring readiness for surveys and home visits.
• Incident Management: Implement proactive safety strategies, review incidents, ensure timely reporting, and oversee corrective actions.
• Health Care Management: Coordinate and monitor healthcare appointments and follow-up care; oversee medication administration systems, documentation, storage, security, and employee certification; approve purchases of medical supplies and equipment.
• Dietary Planning: Monitor food service, dietary compliance, meal planning, and staff training related to nutrition.
• Financial Management: Purchasing – approve purchases of food, supplies, and equipment while reviewing invoices; Billing & Utilization – ensure accurate billing documentation, census reporting; Staffing Budgets – monitor staffing hours and labor costs to maintain budget compliance.
• Program Growth: Support strategic growth initiatives and implementation plans.
• Census Management & Performance: Monitor census performance and communicate potential service disruptions.
• Referral & Placement: Review referrals for program fit, identify barriers to service, coordinate referral site visits, and coordinate staffing, funding, home readiness, safety requirements, and admission preparations.
• Maintenance & Environmental Safety: Vehicles – ensure company vehicles remain clean, safe, properly maintained; Housekeeping – maintain clean, organized, safe, welcoming residential environments; Maintenance & Repairs – oversee preventive maintenance, environmental safety, furnishings, equipment, and regulatory compliance.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Provide operational support by backfilling roles under supervision when necessary.
• Participate in the on-call rotation, including assisting with staffing coverage and emergency support as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises Direct Support Professionals, Program Supervisors, and other assigned staff.

Responsibilities Include

• Hiring and onboarding
• Training and coaching
• Performance evaluations
• Employee development
• Promotions and compensation recommendations
• Corrective action and terminations
• Day‑to‑day leadership and problem resolution

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a qualifying Social Science field. Acceptable degrees include: Psychology, Sociology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Recreation, Recreation Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Human Services, Other closely related Social Science disciplines.
• Experience: Two to three years of leadership experience within Human Services, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Behavioral Health, or a related field preferred; ICF experience is highly preferred; An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted where permitted by applicable regulations.
• Certificates, Licenses & Registrations: Valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and auto insurance; State‑required licensure where applicable; Medication Management Certification (company provided); Mandatory Reporter Certification (company provided); Additional certifications or training required by state regulations or service line; Arizona Behavioral Health programs must meet BHT requirements.

Key Performance Metrics

• Individuals’ Funds Compliance
• Customer Satisfaction
• Documentation Compliance
• Licensing Compliance
• Quality Outcomes
• Program Visits
• Overtime Management
• Staffing & Recruitment
• Training Compliance
• Census Growth

Work Environment

The Program Director works primarily at assigned program locations overseeing residential, vocational, and/or in‑home services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Travel throughout the assigned service area is required.

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently lift up to 30 pounds.
• Constantly lift up to 10 pounds to move objects.

Why Join Sevita

At Sevita, our mission is to help people live well in the community. As a Program Director, you’ll lead dedicated teams, build meaningful relationships, ensure high-quality services, and make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities every day. Sevita is a leading provider of home and community-based specialized health care. We believe everyone deserves to live a full, more independent life.

As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.