Area Director - Metro North Area Office

The Northeast Region of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a person with excellent organizational and management skills to head the Metro North Area Office leadership team in an active, challenging, and rewarding environment in Wakefield, MA. The Area Director fulfills a critical role in the Area Office as the highest DDS management position at the local level. 

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Manages a 84 million dollar allocation which is directed to the procurement, development and delivery of a comprehensive array of residential, day, clinical, family and support services for approximately 2000 individuals and their families
• Determines the priority of need for available services within the limits of available resources, including individuals eligible for the Federal Home and Community Based Services Waiver and for maximizing waiver revenue by appropriately matching waiver-eligible individuals with needed services
• Supervises management team, which could include the Assistant Area Director, Clinical Director, Service Coordinator Supervisors, Program Monitor, Program Coordinator, Health Care Coordinator and BCBA. Also, indirectly supervises additional twenty plus area office staff
• Ensures labor contract compliance and meeting the ongoing training and development needs of a diverse labor force
• Provides leadership in the implementation and oversight of the Department's Risk and Incident Management Systems.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills to deal respectfully and professionally with a diverse group of citizens and public officials, ensuring compliance to rules and regulations.
• Provides ongoing direction and leadership of the Citizen Advisory Board
• Provides emergency on-call response during off hours as part of the management team which could include emergency calls involving individuals in psychiatric, medical and forensic crisis
• Contributes to the overall performance of the Region and to statewide leadership initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Skilled in managing, directing and motivating people. 
• Strong interpersonal written and verbal communication skills. 
• Proven ability and technical knowledge in planning, coordinating and prioritizing for optimal performance. 
• Ability to evaluate, monitor and set standards for accomplishment.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills. 
• Ability to resolve/mediate conflicts. 

Schedule:

Day shift, 8:00 – 4:30, Monday-Friday, with Saturday and Sunday off. 

Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the Area Office; there may be occasional night and weekend meetings with individuals, guardians, families and other agencies.

About the Department of Developmental Services:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds