Program Director, Youth Autism Services

Program Director - Youth Autism Services

Department: Youth Autism Services (YAS)
Position Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Director, Youth Autism Services
Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 Annually
POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Director - Youth Autism Services (YAS) provides strategic, administrative, clinical-programmatic, and operational leadership for The League for People with Disabilities' Youth Autism Services programs. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring that services are safe, person-centered, developmentally appropriate, inclusive, outcome-driven, and consistent with The League's mission, policies, contractual requirements, and applicable Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) standards and regulations.

The Program Director leads the development and implementation of high-quality services for children, adolescents, and young adults with autism and related developmental disabilities. This position provides direct leadership to program staff while collaborating with families, guardians, schools, healthcare professionals, DDA representatives, community partners, and League leadership.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong knowledge of autism services, positive behavioral supports, person-centered planning, staff development, program operations, regulatory compliance, documentation, and quality assurance.

The Program Director is expected to be a visible, hands-on leader who promotes a culture of accountability, independence, mutual respect, participant focus, and quality.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Leadership & Administration

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for Youth Autism Services programs.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve YAS programming.
• Ensure programs are aligned with The League's mission, strategic priorities, policies, and service standards.
• Establish measurable program goals and monitor progress toward achieving them.
• Develop and maintain program procedures, workflows, schedules, and operational standards.
• Ensure services are delivered consistently across program locations and service settings.
• Identify opportunities to expand, strengthen, and improve services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.
• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, program development, and organizational initiatives.
• Maintain appropriate program staffing levels and work with Human Resources to recruit, interview, onboard, and retain qualified employees.
• Monitor program expenses and operate within approved budgets.
• Provide leadership during program changes, emergencies, staffing shortages, and other operational challenges.

Person-Centered & Participant-Focused Services

• Ensure services are individualized and based on each participant's strengths, preferences, needs, goals, and desired outcomes.
• Promote participant independence, self-determination, community inclusion, and meaningful engagement.
• Ensure staff understand and appropriately implement Individual Plans, Person-Centered Plans (PCPs), behavior plans, service plans, and other applicable support documents.
• Monitor participant progress and ensure services are responsive to changing needs.
• Promote dignity, choice, privacy, safety, and respect in all service environments.
• Ensure participants have opportunities to participate in community activities, educational experiences, recreational activities, employment exploration, life-skills development, and other meaningful experiences.
• Collaborate with families and guardians while maintaining appropriate participant confidentiality and rights.

Autism & Developmental Disability Services

• Provide leadership and guidance regarding evidence-informed practices for supporting individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities.
• Ensure staff use appropriate communication, teaching, prompting, reinforcement, de-escalation, and positive behavioral support strategies.
• Support programming addressing communication, social skills, emotional regulation, daily living skills, independence, community participation, and functional development.
• Monitor the appropriateness of individual supports and make recommendations for service adjustments when needed.
• Collaborate with qualified professionals and service providers when additional behavioral, medical, educational, or therapeutic expertise is required.
• Promote trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approaches to service delivery.

DDA, Regulatory & Quality Compliance

• Maintain working knowledge of applicable Maryland DDA regulations, licensing requirements, Medicaid requirements, contractual requirements, and The League policies and procedures.
• Ensure program operations remain compliant with applicable federal, state, local, DDA, Medicaid, and organizational requirements.
• Monitor required participant and employee documentation for completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality.
• Ensure required assessments, plans, progress notes, incident reports, attendance records, training documentation, and other records are maintained appropriately.
• Prepare for and participate in DDA, licensing, accreditation, contractual, internal, and other compliance reviews.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans when deficiencies are identified.
• Monitor compliance trends and proactively address potential areas of risk.
• Ensure reportable incidents are handled, documented, escalated, and reported within required timeframes.
• Maintain participant confidentiality in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and League policies.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervise assigned YAS personnel and provide consistent leadership, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Establish clear expectations and measurable performance standards.
• Conduct regular supervision, performance evaluations, and corrective action when appropriate.
• Identify employee training needs and coordinate appropriate professional development.
• Ensure employees complete required onboarding, orientation, competency assessments, and compliance training before independently providing services.
• Promote staff retention through effective communication, recognition, professional development, and supportive leadership.
• Address employee performance, attendance, conduct, and workplace concerns in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Promote teamwork and accountability across YAS.
• Ensure adequate staffing coverage and respond promptly to call-offs, vacancies, and staffing concerns.

Recruitment & Workforce Planning

• Partner with Human Resources and Talent & Onboarding to identify staffing needs.
• Participate in interviewing and selection of qualified YAS candidates.
• Assist with developing effective interview questions and selection criteria specific to autism services.
• Ensure new employees understand job expectations, participant needs, safety requirements, documentation standards, and organizational policies.
• Support proactive workforce planning to maintain appropriate staffing ratios and program continuity.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen recruitment and retention of qualified direct-support professionals and program staff.

Family, Guardian & Community Relations

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with participants, families, guardians, schools, healthcare providers, DDA representatives, and community partners.
• Respond professionally and promptly to questions, concerns, and service-related issues.
• Facilitate family and team meetings as appropriate.
• Communicate participant progress, program changes, concerns, and recommendations in a clear and respectful manner.
• Promote The League as a trusted partner for individuals and families receiving services.
• Develop relationships with schools, community organizations, and other agencies to increase meaningful opportunities for participants.

Safety, Risk Management & Incident Response

• Maintain a safe environment for participants, employees, visitors, and community members.
• Ensure staff understand and follow emergency, safety, crisis response, medication, transportation, and incident-reporting procedures applicable to their roles.
• Respond appropriately to participant emergencies and critical incidents.
• Review incident reports and identify trends requiring corrective action or additional staff training.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up occurs after incidents.
• Promote proactive risk identification and prevention.
• Ensure transportation and community-based activities are conducted in accordance with League policies and applicable requirements.

. Documentation & Data Management

• Ensure timely and accurate completion of participant and program documentation.
• Review documentation for quality, accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Monitor service notes, progress documentation, attendance, goals, outcomes, and other program data.
• Utilize data to evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure confidential records are maintained securely.
• Prepare reports and summaries for League leadership, families, funders, DDA, and other authorized stakeholders as required.

Program Quality Improvement

• Establish and monitor measurable performance indicators for YAS.
• Conduct regular program reviews and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Use participant, family, staff, and stakeholder feedback to improve services.
• Develop and monitor quality improvement initiatives.
• Identify trends related to staffing, incidents, participant outcomes, attendance, documentation, and service delivery.
• Develop corrective and preventive action plans when needed.
• Promote a continuous-improvement culture throughout Youth Autism Services.

Transportation & Community Integration

When applicable to assigned YAS programs:

• Ensure transportation services are operated safely and in accordance with League policies.
• Monitor driver compliance with applicable licensing, insurance, training, and safety requirements.
• Ensure participants have meaningful opportunities to access community resources and activities.
• Support programming that incorporates recreation, employment exploration, education, socialization, life skills, community participation, and independence.
• Ensure community-based programming reflects participant interests and individualized goals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's or doctorate degree in special education or related field required
• Minimum of 5 years expierencw in providing training or consultation in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental disabilities, behavioral health, special education, human services, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing human services, autism services, developmental disability programs, education programs, or similar services.
• Knowledge of person-centered planning and positive behavioral support practices.
• Knowledge of Maryland DDA regulations and service delivery requirements preferred.
• Strong understanding of documentation, compliance, quality assurance, and incident management.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, and develop employees.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing program needs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Preferred credentials include BCBA, LCPC, LCSW-C, RN, or another relevant professional credential.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience working within Maryland's DDA service system.
• Experience with Medicaid-funded services.
• Experience with autism-specific programming.
• Experience with behavioral support plans and crisis prevention.
• Experience preparing for DDA, licensing, accreditation, or contractual audits.
• Experience with electronic health records or human services documentation systems.
• Experience developing and implementing quality improvement initiatives.
• CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within required timeframe.
• MANDT, CPI, or other approved crisis intervention certification, as applicable.

DRIVER REQUIREMENTS

If driving is an essential function of the position or required for assigned program responsibilities:

• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must maintain a satisfactory driving record consistent with The League's vehicle and insurance requirements.
• Must maintain required automobile insurance when using a personal vehicle for approved League business.
• Must successfully complete any required driver screening or authorization process.
• Must comply with all League transportation and vehicle safety policies.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Leadership

Demonstrates strong, ethical, accountable leadership and creates a positive culture for employees and participants.
Autism & Developmental Disability Expertise

Understands the unique needs of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and promotes individualized, evidence-informed supports.
Regulatory Compliance

Maintains strong attention to DDA, Medicaid, licensing, documentation, safety, and organizational requirements.
Staff Development

Builds capable teams through