Program Coordinator - Behavior

Program Coordinator 

Department/Program: Residential

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly 

Position Status: Full-Time / 40 hours per week 

Reports to: Residential Director of Behavioral Supports 

Prepared/Revised Date: April 1st, 2025 

About the Position 

A Program Coordinator’s role is to supervise the day-to-day activities of a residential program that provides a variety of support to individuals who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities.  This position is expected to provide the working example of and leadership for support staff so that all employees who work in the home are engaged in whatever activities are needed to support individuals in living fulfilling lives that are aligned with the agency’s mission  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

In a manner consistent with supporting the Life Works mission statement and values, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for the following: 

Client Centered Support  

• Encourages clients to be as engaged as possible in all aspects of his or her daily life, teaching, as necessary.  
• Supports clients in making and maintaining relationships by identifying, planning for, and supporting participation, contribution, and engagement in events and activities that are supportive. 
• Observes signs of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or violation of client rights, and takes immediate action to remedy the situation, acting in the best interest of the individuals we support throughout the process. 

Health, Wellness, and Safety    

• Ensures that infection control procedures are used as necessary and in accordance with best practice and OSHA/CDC recommendations.  
• Ensures staff provides support and oversight to help clients follow health care provider’s orders in accordance with organization policies and procedures and as defined by client’s needs or specific wishes.   
• Ensures clients receive both routine and emergency medical care related to physical and mental health, therapeutic services, and dental care.  
• Ensures records are maintained that are easy to use and provide the most critical information regarding the health and wellness needs of clients.   

Client Support Plan Development, Monitoring and Assessment    

• Develops individual support plans in partnership with clients and their support networks and supports them in monitoring the implementation of client support plans.   
• Using positive behavior support strategies, develop, implement, and monitor support plans focused on prevention when a person being supported engages in challenging behaviors.  
• Maintains client records (hard copy and/or electronic) by completing necessary documentation according to best practices in data privacy, confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, and data management.  

Facilitating Community Inclusion  

• Consults and engages members of client support network (as appropriate) in efforts to identify and support preferences for relationships and activities, as well as problem-solve any issues or challenges regarding these activities.  
• Supports clients in community educational, recreation, leisure, retirement, and employment opportunities, and facilitates coordination with community agencies.  

Promoting Professional Relations and Teamwork  

• Facilitates teamwork and positive interactions among teams and between staff members by managing conflict and providing support needed. 
• Respond to questions and crises when on-call and/or providing remote supervision 
• Maintains appropriate boundaries regarding personal vs. professional issues and educates and supports staff in maintaining healthy professional boundaries.  
• Promotes increased understanding among team members of individual differences and perspectives as it relates to teamwork and individual support services.  
• Coordinates and facilitates staff meetings, ensuring a sense of trust and openness, and encouraging group participation and ownership.  

 Staff Supervision, Training, and Development  

• Provides peer coaching to new staff using a variety of training strategies.  
• Promotes the ongoing competency-based training and development of staff by effectively supporting them in creating and updating individual development plans.   
• Uses a variety of methods and styles to provide coaching and feedback to staff regarding performance issues, including demonstrating correct performance.  
• Completes staff performance reviews and gathers input from peers as required by agency policy and procedures. 
• Develop staff schedules, within budgetary limitations and in response to clients' needs. 
• Approves staff timesheets, approves staff leave, and secure staff to fill-in when vacancies occur.   
• Follow up on reports of staff injury at work and all workers’ compensation related issues.   

Service management and quality assurance  

• Maintains a safe environment by coordinating internal or external services, or performing duties as needed, to ensure maintenance and safety. 
• Manages or assists in the management of client financial accounts, including client bills and petty cash accounts as needed.  
• Completes annual paperwork to ensure that Medical Assistance, SSI, and other related government benefits are current for clients.  

Additional Duties  

• Performs on-call duties as needed including weekends to provide supervisory staff coverage   
• Communicates effectively (verbally and in writing) in a concise and timely manner, ensuring the privacy of others and using respectful and person-centered language. 
• Ensures compliance with all Federal and state rules and regulations. 
• Prioritizes tasks and responsibilities in order of importance to ensure that deadlines are met, delegating tasks or duties to staff as they can achieve. 
• Effectively completes administrative tasks, learning, and using technology to promote efficiency.  
• Learns and remains current with appropriate and secure documentation systems, including electronic methods. 

Position requirements  

Education: 

• Must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent  

Related Experience: 

• 2 plus years of working with individuals with developmental disabilities 
• 1 plus years of experience in a supervisory role  

Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations: 

• Must obtain criminal clearances as required. These could include: the Washington criminal history check, FBI criminal history check, and child abuse clearances in accordance with DSHS regulations.  
• Must complete required TB test (if applicable)  
• Must be nurse delegated for client medication administration 
• Must have the 12-hour Peer Coach Training 
• Valid driver’s license with driving record that meets agency policy.  
• Must pass a drug screen. 
• Have a current CPR/First aid certification required or must be obtained.  
• Obtain Right Response Certification
• Able to be an approved signer for checkbooks 

Required Competencies: 

Interacts effectively with all levels of management and staff

• Recognizes own personal biases, stereotypes, and prejudices to maintain objectivity when interacting with others
• Promotes and demonstrates Agency's core values and mission. Build honest, sustainable relationships with all agency staff. 
• Communicates effectively (verbally and in writing) in a concise and timely manner, ensuring the privacy of others and using respectful and person-centered language. 
• Ensures compliance with all Federal and state rules and regulations. 
• Prioritizes tasks and responsibilities in order of importance to ensure that deadlines are met, delegating tasks or duties to staff as they can achieve. 
• Effectively completes administrative tasks, learning, and using technology to promote efficiency.  
• Learns and remains current with appropriate and secure documentation systems, including electronic methods. 
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
• Demonstrates good judgment in sharing "need to know" information
• Communicates respectfully and openly with all staff in a timely manner
• Listens effectively and clarifies information as needed
• Provides constructive feedback

Technical Skills:  

• Proficient in working with databases and navigating computer software (Therap, When I Work, ADP, etc.)
• Learns and remains current with appropriate and secure documentation systems, including electronic methods.
• Ensures compliance with all Federal and state rules and regulations.
• Prioritizes tasks and responsibilities in order of importance to ensure that deadlines are met, delegating tasks or duties to staff as they can achieve. 
• Effectively completes administrative tasks, learning, and using technology to promote efficiency.  

• Demonstrates excellent organization and time management skills
• Must be 18 years of age or older. CHILDRENS PROGRAM ONLY – Must be 21 years of age and have at least six months experience working with vulnerable populations  

Physical Demands:  

• Must have essential physical skills – be able to run, squat, stoop/bend, kneel, climb stairs, be able to lift at least 50 pounds (or ¼ own body weight), push and pull against potential resistance; and be able to implement non-physical and physical interventions and CPR with people supported when needed.  
• Must be able to lift and transfer clients who need such assistance  
• Must have adequate vision, reading, writing and documentation skills and listening to perform the essential functions of the job.  
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to the required schedule for the job. 
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, overnights (as applicable) and holidays.  
• Must be able to help, as needed, in safely loading and unloading vehicle passengers and assist individuals to safety in emergency situations.