The Director of Residential Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the organization's OPWDD-certified residential programs. This role is responsible for ensuring that residential services are safe, person-centered, financially sustainable, regulatory compliant, and aligned with the organization's mission, values, and strategic priorities. The Director develops and maintains a strong residential leadership structure, promotes quality outcomes for the people supported, maintains appropriate census and occupancy levels, and fosters a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and person-centered practice. The Director works collaboratively with Clinical Services, Nursing, Quality Assurance, Human Resources, Finance, Intake, Behavioral Services, Compliance, and other departments to support the successful operation and growth of residential services. This position directly supervises the Residential Deputy Director and the QIDP Supervisor. 3030Responsible for aligning and demonstrating the agency's values while performing your job30 Residential Program Leadership: 30Provide overall leadership, direction, and accountability for the organization's residential services. 30Establish clear expectations for residential leadership and ensure consistent implementation across programs. 30Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance oversight to Residential Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and other residential leaders. 30Develop a strong leadership pipeline and succession plan for residential services. 30Establish systems that promote accountability, communication, teamwork, and timely follow-through. 30Ensure residential leadership is visible and engaged within programs and communities. 30Promote a culture that prioritizes dignity, respect, independence, choice, and meaningful outcomes for the people supported. OPWDD Regulatory Compliance: 30Ensure residential programs operate in accordance with applicable OPWDD regulations, certification requirements, agency policies, and other applicable federal, state, and local requirements. 30Maintain operational readiness for OPWDD certification reviews, surveys, audits, and other regulatory inspections. 30Partner with Quality Assurance and Compliance to identify trends, address deficiencies, and implement sustainable corrective actions. 30Ensure required residential documentation, reporting, training, monitoring, and quality systems are completed accurately and timely. 30Maintain familiarity with applicable OPWDD regulations, including requirements related to residential certification, incident management, individual rights, medication administration, emergency preparedness, staffing, environmental safety, and recordkeeping. 30Ensure corrective action plans are implemented, monitored, and sustained. Quality and Person-Centered Services: 30Ensure services are delivered in accordance with each person's Life Plan, valued outcomes, needs, preferences, and goals. 30Promote practices that maximize individual choice, independence, community participation, and quality of life. 30Develop/Monitor residential quality indicators and develop improvement strategies when performance does not meet organizational expectations. 30Review trends related to incidents, complaints, injuries, hospitalizations, behavioral concerns, medication errors, restrictive interventions, vacancies, staff turnover, and other quality indicators. 30Collaborate with clinical and behavioral leadership to ensure appropriate supports are in place for individuals with complex needs. 30Ensure concerns involving the health, safety, rights, or welfare of people supported are addressed promptly and appropriately. Census, Admissions, and Residential Growth: 30Maintain accountability for residential census and occupancy across the department. 30Work closely with Intake and other program leaders to identify appropriate residential placements and fill available vacancies. 30Develop strategies to minimize prolonged vacancies while ensuring appropriate matching of individuals to residential settings. 30Participate in residential placement discussions and assess program readiness for prospective admissions. 30Balance organizational growth and occupancy needs with the clinical, behavioral, medical, staffing, and environmental needs of the people supported. 30Identify opportunities to right-size residential programs and optimize available resources. Financial and Resource Management: 30Develop and manage residential budgets in collaboration with Finance and executive leadership. 30Monitor staffing costs, overtime, vacancy rates, program expenses, and other financial indicators. 30Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maintaining quality and regulatory compliance. 30Ensure residential resources are appropriately allocated based on program needs. 30Monitor the financial impact of vacancies and develop strategies to improve program sustainability. 30Participate in budget development, forecasting, and financial planning for residential services. Staffing and Workforce Development: 30Establish appropriate staffing structures consistent with program needs, regulations, individual needs, and approved budgets. 30Partner with Human Resources and residential leadership to recruit, retain, and develop qualified staff. 30Monitor staffing vacancies, turnover, overtime, and retention trends. 30Ensure appropriate onboarding, training, competency development, and ongoing supervision of residential staff. 30Develop strategies to strengthen employee engagement and reduce turnover. 30Ensure leadership responds appropriately to employee performance issues and maintains consistent accountability. 30Promote career development and succession planning throughout the residential department. Incident Management and Risk Oversight: 30Provide leadership oversight regarding significant residential incidents and emerging risks. 30Ensure incidents are reported, investigated, reviewed, and followed up in accordance with applicable requirements. 30Analyze incident trends and identify opportunities for systemic improvement. 30Collaborate with Incident Management, Quality Assurance, Nursing, Clinical Services, and other departments regarding significant incidents and risk concerns. 30Ensure residential leaders understand their responsibilities for protecting the health, safety, and rights of people supported. 30Participate in high-level reviews of serious or recurring concerns and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented. Interdepartmental Collaboration: 30Develop strong working relationships with Nursing, Quality Assurance, Incident Management, Intake, Finance, Human Resources, Behavioral Services, Maintenance, Compliance, and other organizational departments. 30Ensure residential services are integrated with day, employment, clinical, and community-based services. 30Collaborate with Intake to support timely and appropriate admissions and transitions. 30Partners with Nursing and clinical leadership to address individuals with significant medical, behavioral, or other specialized support needs. 30Participate in organizational strategic planning and cross-departmental initiatives. Operational Performance and Data: 30Establish and monitor key performance indicators for residential services. 30Utilize data to identify trends, operational risks, opportunities for improvement, and areas requiring leadership intervention. Emergency and Crisis Management: 30Ensure residential programs maintain effective emergency preparedness and response systems. 30Provide leadership during significant operational emergencies affecting residential services. 30Ensure appropriate plans are in place for staffing shortages, environmental emergencies, weather events, utility failures, and other disruptions. 30Participate in organizational emergency response and continuity planning. Strategic Planning: 30Participate in the development and implementation of the organization's strategic plan as it relates to residential services. 30Identify opportunities for service innovation and improvement. 30Evaluate residential program structures, staffing models, service capacity, and operational effectiveness. 30Recommend changes to residential services based on regulatory requirements, individual needs, organizational priorities, and financial sustainability. 30Support initiatives designed to strengthen the organization's overall residential service delivery model. 30Lead with accountability, professionalism, and integrity 30Establish clear expectations and follow through consistently 30Develop leaders rather than simply manage programs 30Address performance and operational concerns promptly 30Make decisions based on the needs of the people supported, regulatory requirements, organizational priorities, and available data 30Maintain a visible leadership presence within residential programs 30Foster a culture where employees feel supported while remaining accountable for performance 30Promote collaboration rather than departmental silos 30Model person-centered practices and respect for individual rights 30Communicate effectively with executive leadership, employees, families, guardians, individuals supported, and external stakeholders Requirements 30High School Diploma or equivalent 30A valid NYS Driver's License 30Access to reliable transportation 30Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in human services, developmental disabilities, or a related field 30Minimum of 3 years of management or supervisory experience, preferably overseeing multiple residential programs or a large service department Preferred Qualifications/Skills: 30Demonstrated knowledge of OPWDD regulations and certified residential services 30Experience managing budgets, staffing, compliance, quality, and operational performance 30Demonstrated ability to lead managers and develop high-performing teams 30Strong written, verbal, organizational, and problem-solving skills 30Ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into actionable strategies Benefits We offer great benefits including Paid Training, Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Payment in Lieu of Health Insurance, Tuition Assistance, and Retirement Programs! There are also opportunities to advance within our agency!