Program Specialist

Looking for a meaningful, purpose-driven career? Friendship Community is a nonprofit cultivating the capabilities of Individuals with Intellectual disabilities and Autism. Our faith-based disability services, including residential services, day programs, and life enrichment opportunities, help impact the World with Capabilities. Our Team Members provide exceptional care consistent with our values of Relationships, Integrity, Spirituality, and Excellence.

TITLE: Program Specialist (Residential 6400 or Day-Program 2380)

DEFINITION AND BASIC FUNCTION: The Program Specialist (PS), under supervision of the Lead Program Specialist or Studio Manager, is responsible to assure that quality and documentation standards meet FC and State Regulations.

ACCOUNTABILITY: The Program Specialist is accountable to the Lead Program Specialist and the Associate Director of Operations or the Studio Manager and Studio Coordinator.

AUTHORITY: The PS has responsibility for the Individuals and authority over Team Members who assist with regulatory compliance. The PS has additional access rights to Care Tracker and additional platforms for tracking, as needed.

RESPONSIBILITY:

A. Demonstrate a respectful and positive attitude that promotes service excellence to Individuals, fellow Team Members (TMs), families and / or the general public.
B. Case load of 24 to 30 Individuals.
C. Provides effective communication with the entire support team
D. Fulfill the requirements of a Program Specialist as described in PA § 6400.44, or §2380.33.

PROGRAMMING:

A. Complete and distribute Individualized Assessments per State Regulations.
B. Participate in Annual ISP meetings and initiate other meetings as identified.
C. Oversee and maintain documentation methods for tracking ISP Outcomes.
D. Develop and distribute Individual’s Quarterly Progress Notes in accordance with Friendship Community (FC) and State Regulations.
E. Complete, maintain and/or review daily progress notes based on current ISPs (Studio only).
F. Coordinate trainings of Direct Support Professionals and Residential Managers based on the ISP.
G. Assist with coverage of colleague’s caseloads in their absence(s).
H. Update HRST as required (Residential only).
I. Facilitate the Bi-Annual Self-Assessment Process for homes on their caseloads (Residential only).

FUNDING AND BILLING (AS ASSIGNED WITHIN CASE LOAD):

A. Develop a working knowledge of the services and the funding sources for each Individual in the assigned programs.
B. Collaborate with the Lead Program Specialist or Studio Manager to identify and submit funding or increased supervision requests for Individuals with identified needs.
C. Review and approve Daily Service Notes for designated funding sources (Studio only unless specified for a Residential Individual).
D. Review and submit requests for billable hours for additional funding sources using the designated tools and resources, as assigned.

OTHER SERVICES:

A. Participate in committees and present trainings roles within FC as assigned.
B. Comply with Friendship Community’s Privacy Policy and HIPAA regulations.
C. Participate in monthly Program Specialist Meetings and monthly 1:1 meetings.
D. Contribute to developing systems and resources for the Program Specialist Team.
E. Other duties as assigned (based on program needs and emergencies).

WORK SCHEDULE: A full-time PS generally works Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM and is an Hourly Non-Exempt professional position eligible for Over Time. (Work schedules will vary for part-time PS').

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A Program Specialist shall have met one of the following qualifications specified in 1, 2, or 3 per Intellectual Disabilities for 6400/2380 Regulations (education from an accredited college or university and specified paid experience working directly with intellectual disabilities):

(1) A master’s degree or above and 1-year paid experience

(2) A bachelor’s degree and 2 years paid experience

(3) An associate’s degree or 60 credits and 4 years paid experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a TM to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the Team Member (TM) is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The TM must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild to moderate. The TM may occasionally drive a company vehicle to go to a home for their required caseload or outside training opportunities.

NOTE:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the TM(s) incumbent in this position. TMs will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship. Must possess English speaking skills.

As a Full-Time Program Specialist, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical Insurance: $40 bi-weekly medical benefits for individuals, $50 bi-weekly medical benefits for family. Eligible after 30-day waiting period.
• Ancillary benefits (ex. dental, vision, etc.) provided through Lincoln Financial. Friendship Community provides a defined annual contribution that Full-Time Team Members can use towards ancillary benefits each year. The 2025 defined contribution is $150, which totals $5.77 per pay. Eligible after 60 day waiting period.
• Paid Time Off: Accrues per pay period, can be used immediately.
• Sick Time: Accrues per pay period, can be used immediately.
• Retirement: Team member is able to contribute to 403(b) retirement plan after 30 days.
• Holiday Pay (FT status): 7 paid holidays—New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday (or Good Friday for Team Members who do not normally work weekends), Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Benefits Offered to all Team Members:

• Wellness program
• Everence Federal Credit Union
• Everence Small Loan
• Wellspan Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Modern Eyes Membership
• Discount at our Heart Gallery
• Meals/Activities while on shift for DSPs
• Olivia Cunningham Education Fund
• Free myStrength app access

In order to be considered for a position here at Friendship Community, please apply using the following link: www.friendshipcommunity.net

Friendship Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, citizenship or veterans status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $6