Programs Assistant Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Program Manager provides leadership, supervision, and operational oversight for assigned residential, day, community-based, or other service programs at The Kennedy Collective. Under the direction of senior leadership, the Program Manager oversees the delivery of person-centered services, supervises and develops employees, ensures regulatory compliance, manages program operations and resources, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to promote health, safety, community inclusion, and positive individual outcomes. The Program Manager is responsible for fostering high-quality service delivery, supporting employee performance and development, and ensuring programs operate in accordance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, and organizational goals.

Core Competencies

• Person-Centered Leadership: Models and promotes person-centered practices that support dignity, choice, independence, and positive outcomes for individuals served.
• Team Leadership & Employee Development: Provides day-to-day leadership, coaching, training, and support to employees while promoting accountability, teamwork, engagement, and professional growth.
• Program Operations & Service Delivery: Supports daily program operations by coordinating staffing, schedules, resources, and service delivery to ensure quality supports and operational efficiency.
• Communication & Collaboration: Builds positive relationships and communicates effectively with individuals served, families, guardians, employees, interdisciplinary teams, and community partners while maintaining accurate, timely, and confidential documentation.
• Professionalism & Ethical Practice: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, ethical conduct, cultural competence, sound judgment, and professionalism while supporting The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, values, and commitment to quality services.
• Quality, Compliance & Safety: Promotes compliance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, licensing requirements, and safety standards while supporting quality improvement and risk reduction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Provide direct support to individuals served while assisting with the daily operations of assigned residential, day, community-based, or other service programs.
• Assist the Program Manager with supervising, coaching, scheduling, training, and supporting assigned employees while promoting accountability, professionalism, person-centered practices, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate daily staffing assignments, program coverage, schedules, calendars, transportation, recreational activities, and other program operations to ensure quality service delivery.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training of new employees.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to implement, monitor, and support Individual Plans (IPs/ISPs), behavioral support plans, nursing protocols, and other individualized services.
• Assist with employee timekeeping, scheduling, attendance tracking, and time-off administration in accordance with agency policies.
• Serve as a role model by demonstrating best practices, mentoring employees, and promoting a positive team environment.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Support compliance with Connecticut DDS regulations, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, agency policies, HIPAA requirements, and applicable federal and state laws.
• Participate in licensing reviews, Quality Service Reviews, audits, investigations, and corrective action activities.
• Review documentation within the organization's electronic health record (EHR) and other agency systems for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance, escalating concerns as appropriate.
• Ensure incidents, investigations, GERs, DDS reports, abuse and neglect reports, restrictive procedures, and other required documentation are completed accurately and within established timelines.
• Monitor employee compliance with required trainings, certifications, medication administration requirements, and other regulatory qualifications.
• Assist with annual assessments, wellness monitoring, audits, and other quality assurance activities as assigned.
• Financial & Administrative Responsibilities
• Assist with purchasing, petty cash, inventories, billing, and other administrative responsibilities in accordance with agency policies and approved budgets.
• Assist with oversight of individual financial accounts, benefits, and personal funds, when applicable, in accordance with agency policy and DDS requirements.
• Maintain accurate program records, reports, inventories, and administrative documentation.

Health, Safety & Individual Supports

• Provide direct support to individuals served, including assistance with activities of daily living, implementation of person-centered plans, community participation, transportation, appointments, and skill development as needed.
• Coordinate and monitor medical appointments, physician orders, medication administration, nursing protocols, wellness checks, and other healthcare-related supports.
• Promote and protect the health, safety, dignity, privacy, and rights of individuals by ensuring compliance with HIPAA, abuse and neglect reporting requirements, emergency preparedness procedures, and agency policies.
• Respond appropriately to behavioral, medical, environmental, and operational emergencies using approved intervention techniques, sound judgment, and agency procedures.
• Maintain safe, clean, organized, and supportive program environments that promote health, safety, and positive individual outcomes.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain professional, respectful, and timely communication with individuals served, employees, families, guardians, community partners, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders while preserving confidentiality.
• Maintain all required trainings, certifications, licenses, and qualifications for both self and assigned employees in accordance with agency, Connecticut DDS, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, cultural competence, accountability, and person-centered leadership consistent with The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, values, and policies.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and professional development by fostering a positive work environment and supporting employee growth and retention.
• Provide operational support and coverage across programs, locations, shifts, and service settings as assigned to meet organizational and staffing needs.
• Perform additional duties, assignments, and projects as assigned to support organizational operations and the needs of individuals served.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and satisfactory driving record. Must be able to travel between assigned programs and transport individuals served, as needed.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a Connecticut DDS or comparable human services setting.
• Basic knowledge of Connecticut DDS regulations, person-centered practices, Individual Plans (IPs/ISPs), and agency policies.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, families, guardians, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, electronic health record (EHR) systems, and other technology platforms used to support program operations and documentation.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and initiative in a person-centered environment.
• Must complete and maintain all required agency, Connecticut DDS, PMT, CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration Certification (as applicable), and other required trainings, certifications, and qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Rehabilitation, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Previous experience serving in a lead, senior, or supervisory role within a Connecticut DDS residential, day, or community-based program.
• Experience with employee scheduling, staffing coordination, onboarding, coaching, or performance support.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems, incident reporting, and regulatory documentation.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations; bilingual skills preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Connecticut DDS regulations, person-centered practices, licensing requirements, and quality assurance principles.
• Ability to provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, training, and support to employees while promoting teamwork, accountability, and person-centered practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals served, employees, families, guardians, interdisciplinary team members, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to complete accurate, timely, and confidential documentation, reports, and other required records.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately to behavioral, medical, operational, and emergency situations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to assist individuals with activities of daily living, including lifting, transferring, repositioning, mobility assistance, and personal care as required.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds independently and greater weights with assistance or adaptive equipment when appropriate.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and perform repetitive physical activities throughout the workday.
• Ability to perform approved physical intervention techniques, emergency evacuations, and other safety-related responsibilities following required training.
• Ability to travel between assigned program locations and transport individuals served, as needed.

Working Conditions

• Primarily works within residential homes and community-based settings, including transportation to appointments, employment, recreational, and community activities.
• Regular interaction with individuals served, families or guardians, interdisciplinary team members, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Schedule may include days, evenings, weekends, holidays, on-call responsibilities, and emergency coverage based on operational needs.
• Must be available to provide direct support, leadership, and operational coverage across programs, locations, shifts, and service settings as assigned to meet organizational and staffing needs.

Success Measures

• Provides high-quality, person-centered services that promote the health, safety, dignity, independence, choice, and community inclusion of individuals served.
• Supports compliance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, licensing standards, and applicable laws through accurate implementation of program requirements.
• Provides effective day-to-day leadership, coaching, and support to employees while promoting accountability, engagement, teamwork, and compliance with required training and certification requirements.
• Completes documentation, incident reporting, medication records, financial records, and other administrative responsibilities accurately, timely, and in accordance with regulatory and agency requirements.
• Contributes to effective program operations by supporting staffing, scheduling, resource management, and quality service delivery.
• Maintains positive, collaborative relationships with individuals served, families, guardians, employees, interdisciplinary team members, community partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Maintains safe, clean, organized, and inclusive program environments while fostering continuous quality improvement and person-centered excellence.