Operations Director-OPWDD Complex Programs

Job Title: Operations Director- OPWDD Complex Programs
Department: Housing Services
Location: Western LI, Central LI, Eastern LI, Queens
Reports To: Senior Director of Housing
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Range: $73,000 - $ 77,000
Last Revised In: January 2025
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than
4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain
injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and
thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including:
housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services;
respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Operations Director is responsible for the overall management and supervision of a group of
residential facilities with complex needs. The Director’s primary role is to ensure that all of the
needs of the people supported in their programs are met. These needs include ensuring their
rights are both promoted and respected, supporting their health and safety, and working with
them to identify and realize their personal outcomes. The Operations Director is responsible for
ensuring that available resources are used efficiently and effectively, that funder and FREE, Inc.
policies and procedures are followed, and that established program performance standards are
met or exceeded. In collaboration with division leadership, the Operations Director is responsible
for establishing and maintaining high standards of performance for their teams.
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of IRA programs, ensuring seamless integration of clinical
services and operational management to meet the needs of individuals with I/DD, mental
health conditions, and forensic histories.
• Supervise non-clinical staff to ensure the highest standard of care in residential settings,
including individualized support, behavior management, and therapeutic interventions.
• Ensure all program activities are compliant with OPWDD regulations, licensing
requirements, and funding guidelines, with a focus on both clinical and operational
excellence.
• Conduct minimally a monthly review of all systems within a residential program as outlined
by OPWDD and ensure compliance and accuracy
• Ensure the development, implementation, and management of Staff Action Plans that are
tailored to meet the specific clinical, behavioral, and safety needs of each individual,
confirming coordination across the interdisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with clinical teams to ensure appropriate interventions for individuals with
complex mental health and behavioral needs.
• Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of direct care staff and program managers,
ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and training to provide high-quality, personcentered
care to residents.
• Foster a clinical environment that values continuous improvement, evidence-based practices,
and collaborative and integrated care.
• Implement regular staff training and professional development programs, focusing on clinical
needs such as mental health, trauma-informed care, behavioral health management, and
working with forensic populations.
• Collaborate the stake holders such as families, Care Manager and external provider and design
a shared vision around quality service for those we support
• Work with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and create a culture of Person First model in all
residential programs.
• Involve the men and women in decisions (as best to their capacity) in decisions pertaining to
their life goals.
• Conduct monthly (at a minimum) face to face supervision of Senior Supervisor/ residential
supervisor and provide constructive feedback based on the performance
• Conduct annual performance appraisal of all direct reports reflecting accomplishments and
goals for the following year
• Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed
appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities of All FREE Employees
• Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support,
supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
• Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all
information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients,
providers, contractors, and employees.
• Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all
unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a
safety or health risk.
• Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/
committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
• Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
• Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and
Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.
Responsibilities of FREE Employees in Leadership/Management Positions:
• Ensures compliance with FREE policies, procedures, and operating standards.
• Implements a continuous quality improvement process for department services and
administrative functions.
• Assists in the development, implementation and administration of Human Resources policies
and programs including compliance with Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative
Action Programs.
Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and
may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Education:
o Bachelor’s Degree required
• Experience:
o Minimum of two years’ experience working with persons with developmental disabilities
and/or mental illness and experience in supervising staff providing direct care to the
individuals
• Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:
o Not required, training will be provided upon hire as needed
• Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
o Demonstrated competency in all state, local, federal regulations and agency policies
relevant to the operation of all certified/uncertified agency locations
• Other Requirements:
o Valid driver’s license and ability to qualify as a driver within FREE policy
o No convictions for crimes that preclude a person from working with members of a
vulnerable population
o Ability to be on call
o 18 years of age or older
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role is performed in-person. Travel is required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
• Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones,
photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
• Employee might be required to lift/move light items.
Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide
reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position,
provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.
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The Pay Range for this job is $73,000 - $ 77,000. This range is based on what FREE reasonably
believes it will pay an employee as for said position at the time of the posting. Individual
compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors, including, but
not limited to, an individual’s experience, qualifications, longevity at FREE, geographic location,
relevant skills, and other factors permitted under federal, state, and local laws.
FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all
employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender,
gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected
characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and
local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies
to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring,
placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.