2024 Membership Renewal is now open! Renew your organization’s membership today!

First Steps, Inc.

Director of Programs

First Steps, Inc.

Apply

Job Summary

Mission:  The mission of First Steps, Inc. is to educate and care for children with special needs and medical conditions alongside their typically developing peers in inclusive environments and support their families. We fulfill our mission through three programs.The Director of Programs is directly responsible for the planning, coordinating, and supervising of all programs and services provided by First Steps, Inc. to ensure the operational and programmatic success of our mission. The Director of Programs supervises the Center Director, Outreach Program Director, and Therapy Program Director.

Job Responsibilities

Operational Responsibilities: 

  • Direct the planning, development and implementation of all programs and services provided by First Steps, Inc. and ensure they meet reporting and accountability expectations.
  • Monitor each program’s enrollment and be prepared to discuss with the Board of Directors or funding entities.
  • Recruit, supervise and evaluate program directors, make recommendations concerning salaries, promotions, and retention of staff to accomplish First Steps’ mission, goals, and strategies.
  • Work with Program Directors to ensure training initiatives are planned and provided to ensure best practices knowledge of entire staff and meet criteria set by all program contracts and licensing. 
  • Serve as a liaison to the Board of Directors and Board Committees, as requested.
  • Work closely with the Executive Director in the overall management of First Steps and manage special projects as assigned, maintaining policies related to disclosure of highly confidential material.
  • Review and implement all corrective action plans and program improvement plans from licensing and monitoring agencies.
  • Maintain Policies and Procedures Manual.
  • Work closely with the Executive Director in strategic planning, assessing and problem solving the agency’s functioning.
  • Display understanding of, and sensitivity to, service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
  • As a supervisor, know and understand the processes to be followed in relation to complaints by employees regarding harassment and/or retaliation.  Fairly and consistently apply policies as they relate to staff.
  • Maintain professional development hours of at least 30 hours annually.

 

Fiscal Responsibilities:

  • Monitor programmatic expenditures and make recommendations to the Executive Director for approval of expenditures or reductions, in order to comply with financial resources and approved budget.
  • Assist Director of Finance with State related billing including Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Vendor Agreement and Grant Contract.
  • Assist in the development of program expense budgets.

 

Revised 9/2022

Community Relations Responsibilities:

  • Represent First Steps with all contract agencies in an effective and professional manner to increase the understanding and appreciation by each contract agency of the purpose and value of First Steps services.
  • Act as the liaison for licensing and partnering agencies for issues related to quality service delivery and customer outcomes.
  • Represent First Steps at community meetings/groups and promote the agency through outreach activities and networking.
  • Attend other meetings as appropriate or requested.
  • Act on behalf of the Executive Director in his/her absence.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Knowledge

  • Strong support and intervention skills in the area of children with disabilities and their families.
  • Knowledge of community social services.
  • Creative problem-solving skills.
  • Strong leadership skills.
  • Effective crisis intervention skills.
  • Ability to assess and apply proper intervention strategies.
  • Ability to analyze and condense information.
  • Ability to facilitate and effectively work as a member of a team.
  • Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
  • Sensitivity and respect for the differences in ability and cultural and ethnic diversity of clients, staff and other community members and groups, and continuously monitoring equity.
  • Knowledge of community-based service programs to children with disabilities and their families needs and programs.
  • Must have basic computer knowledge and skills.

 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master’s in education, special education, or early intervention.
  • At least five years of related experience including at least three years of supervision and administrative responsibility.
  • Experience in program management and supervision.
  • Experience in government contracts management, fiscal management, program implementation and management.
  • Experience working with children with disabilities and their families

 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers to handle and feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear, taste and smell.  The employee is constantly walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.  The work environment is busy and physically and emotionally demanding.  The noise level is moderate to loud.

Additional Information

Benefits

  • 90 hours of Vacation Leave annually for full time employees (to start, will increase with length of employment) – Vacation leave is accrued per pay period for employees who work 30 or more hours per work week. For employees who work between 30-40 hours per week, accrual will be prorated.
  • 75 hours of Sick Leave annually for full time employees – Sick leave is accrued per paycheck for employees who work 30 or more hours per work week. For employees who work 30-40 hours per week, accrual will be prorated.
  • 11 paid Holidays annually – Holiday pay is based on hours scheduled to work on First Steps set holiday dates.
  • Health Care plan – A medical plan is provided for full time employees.  Employee premiums are paid in accordance with the current Plan Documents (available in the Business Office and given to new employees at the time of hire.)  Coverage is effective the first of the month following the employee’s first 60 days of employment.  First Steps pays a portion of monthly premiums for employees who work 30 or more hours per work week.
  • Life insurance plan – First Steps offers a $15,000 life insurance plan for employees who work 30 or more hour per work week after 60 days of employment.
  • 401(k) Plan – Full time employees may start contributing to this plan on the first day of the month after 90 days of employment.  After 1 year, employees are eligible for a matching contribution from First Steps of up to 2% of the employee’s annual salary. Employees are fully vested after 3 years of employment.
  • Childcare discount – Employees who enroll their child in First Steps Child Development Center

How to Apply

Please send letter of interest and resume to khazen@firststepsnashville.org

Details

  • Date Posted: September 15, 2022
  • Type: Full-Time
  • Job Function: Administrative
  • Service Area: Children / Youth
  • Start Date: 10/31/2022
  • Salary Range: 81,000-83,000
  • Working Hours: 40 hours/week M-F