La Puente, CA

Full time.

About the Organization

SGVTC (the Center) was founded 63 years ago on the premise that for those with developmental disabilities, just as with the general population, work is a meaningful and rewarding activity. All people want and need to earn a paycheck, and there is value in integrating with peers in the workplace environment. However, we are aware that while most adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or special needs can thrive in integrated community-based work environments (with or without job support), others are unable to perform at competitive employment standards or in integrated environments. These individuals still deserve the ability to be gainfully employed in work environments adapted to their needs.

We acknowledge and respect the overriding governmental impulse and recent movement to direct funding exclusively to “integrated” work settings, and this approach is consistent with our philosophy of individual empowerment. Our Mission is to provide and promote opportunities for adults with IDD to work and to achieve their personal best, no matter the severity of the challenges they face. We have kept pace with philosophical and funding changes in our field, and are a leader in competitive integrated employment placement services, training, internships, and tailored services in our region. We are also fully engaged as a facilitator of supported employment. Employment support and opportunities are offered at our large, comprehensive site in La Puente, as well as in San Bernardino and Orange counties. The organization remains committed to be an advocate for those with all degrees of abilities and continues at the forefront of new approaches and activities for participants.

About the Executive Director

Our new Executive Director will need to be innovative, adaptable and passionate about respecting the unique individuals we serve. He or she will also need expertise in strategic business planning and be savvy in fiscal management and technological advances within a volatile service environment. He or she will need to be a resourceful problem-solver who is extremely familiar with the changes occurring in our field. He or she will provide empathetic leadership and maintain our standards of active client interaction and assuring a positive environment. He or she will promote the agency in business, professional and advocacy settings.

The Executive Director at SGVTC is responsible for the financial and operational administration of an established, not-for-profit, diversified adult vocational support center that seeks to be of continuing value to the populations we serve. By capitalizing on the strong expertise and commitment of a capable staff, an engaged Board of Directors, and a significant resource base, the new leader will help to transform the agency as the field itself is changing. Through facility, community based, and virtual programming, we will continue to be a leader in advocacy, community education, and direct client service. Persons from a wide geographic area who are facing developmental, physical and emotional disabilities will be offered appropriate employment, evaluation, counseling, training and placement to be able to work in their chosen fields. The Executive Director will benefit by regular communication and interaction with the Executive Director of the Residential Facility that is co-located on the La Puente campus.

POSITION DUTIES

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT:

• Evaluate existing programming and research new opportunities to broaden services within fundable and needed categories of service
• Maintain and monitor quality client services that are provided in safe, enjoyable, clean, well-maintained and supportive working environments; implement systems for quality assurance and improvement
• Maintain and expand active programs to engage clients in competitive employment settings
• Ensure the solicitation, retention, evaluation and support of sufficient and qualified personnel to provide quality services to clients and maintain high-quality business operations
• Maintain operations as feasible to meet output goals using the most efficient and cost effective methods
• Ensure records and reports meet agency timelines and CARF (or other regulatory/evaluative agency) criteria. Study and analyze recommended changes before implementation
• Oversee operations in satellite location(s) and maintain systems to ensure consistency with overall operational goals and protocols
• Develop and maintain systems to ensure proper attention to grounds and maintenance, and address maintenance issues as they arise

FISCAL INTEGRITY:

• Maintain, monitor and evolve financial recording and reporting systems to ensure accuracy, efficiency, safekeeping, and understandability for decision-making
• Develop and monitor realistic budgets for each component of the Center that will provide adequate information for governance decision-making and resources for agency programming; establish and maintain systems to ensure that managers comply with controlling costs and know the importance of maximizing income, and provide options for dealing with unexpected fluctuations
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of the rate structures and financial condition of other similar facilities and programs that serve our populations

SUPPORT FOR GOVERNANCE AND PLANNING:

• Maintain a keen eye on the changes in the field and present options to the board for their strategic decision making; maintain interactive engagement with organizational strategic planning processes
• Provide primary staffing for the board to ensure its efficient and effective discharge of its duties; assist the board in its development, training and orientation as requested

OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

• Maintain and grow an appropriate referral base (Regional Centers and other organizations/businesses); stay abreast of various community programs with which the agency can collaborate and encourage reciprocal referrals
• Address the fluctuating client base for current programs and present alternatives for strategic adjustments if increases cannot be achieved
• Actively engage in legislative advocacy to ensure that the needs and nuance of our client populations are visible to policy-makers and that realistic and sensible governmental support programs are put into place; participate in appropriate meetings and with necessary alliances for the benefit of the clients
• Participate in community partnerships to enhance credibility and visibility of the Center and to influence enlightened policy change; engage in visibility and relationship building efforts in a geographically wider (or national) scope when warranted and beneficial

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT:

• Assure the attainment of diversified service fee income; maintain awareness of revenue enhancement opportunities; maximize income from services by structuring reimbursements to capitalize on referral agency practices and client attendance
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive plan for the acquisition of philanthropic funds from individuals, foundations and corporations; develop and interact with potential and current major donors
• Maintain and enhance relationships with governmental funders who can or do support our service population; ensure adequate systems for solicitation and fulfillment of service commitments of all governmental contracts.

Qualities Sought

The ideal candidate for this position will be knowledgeable and passionate about SGVTC’s mission and actively work to understand and honor its rich traditions. He/she will oversee and direct the programming, organizational leadership, fiscal, marketing and management activities needed to achieve the mission. The ideal candidate will have proven business and nonprofit management skills and be an inspirational and collaborative team builder and leader. The ED must exhibit a facilitative leadership style, active listening with a diverse group of people, a transparent work ethic, and openness in considering and valuing the contributions of many in a collective impact effort. Essential qualifications include:

• Demonstrable knowledge, understanding and passion for the population of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the services they need and desire, along with knowledge of changes in the field;
• Demonstrated leadership skills in inspiring, empowering, and developing current and future staff to achieve strategic organizational goals, and experience implementing performance management and accountability systems;
• Demonstrated effectiveness in representing organizational vision, mission, goals, and outcomes to a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders in a variety of venues;
• The ability to work effectively and proactively within a complex organization with diverse programs in multiple sites with demonstrated skills in management of multiple service lines;
• Excellent verbal, written and computer skills in order to effectively communicate and work with individuals at varied levels and backgrounds, and ability to utilize multiple media to communicate;
• Advanced knowledge of non-profit management and human resources best practices, laws and regulations; collaborative leadership style and attention to staff equity, diversity and professional development, and the latest changes in staff motivation/support;
• Familiarity and experience with advocacy techniques to achieve legislative and policy change goals;
• Strong change management skills to build effective community- and organization-wide systems and structures to generate earned and unearned revenue and create impact.

Priorities for the position

While building on our unmatched experience in creating environments where individuals of all abilities thrive, we will need to be creative in developing programs that are built on best practice in the field and are also in alignment with available governmental funding streams. Additionally, we must develop creative privately funded projects (through earned and philanthropic revenue) that build self-esteem and empowerment, honor each individual, and suit the needs of persons with a wide range of abilities. The bottom line is to honor individual choice, including when that person’s choice is to affiliate with a special program in which they feel fulfilled and are not forced into full or partial unemployment because of unrealistic proscriptive government mandates.

A number of priorities have been identified that will be paramount within the work scope of the new Executive Director in the first 12 to 18 months:

1. Broaden existing efforts to further develop customized options and opportunities for developmentally disabled persons, such as Tailored Day Services, Supportive Living Services, training, Internships, Community Based Opportunities Program (focusing on day, senior and volunteer programs in the community) and others;
2. Develop and implement a program of visibility for the Center targeted to families, institutions, support programs, professionals, schools, multiple Regional Centers and the public that highlights the wide range of existing and planned service types offered by SGVTC;
3. Assess the needs of current clients and predict the likely needs of future clients, and compare them with reimbursable and non-reimbursable program services that meet those needs; develop a plan to meet needs in a fiscally responsible way;
4. Maintain advocacy efforts with governmental partners; develop and implement a plan for increased advocacy training of parents and caregivers to enable them to aggressively advocate for the needs and preferences of their children/family members;
5. Broaden existing efforts to participate in multi-agency coalitions that work to ensure that new regulations, mandates and policies of governing/regulatory bodies is grounded in the realities of clients as we know them; work to ensure that the value of the “work activity program” model is recognized, and maintain the model to the degree that clients request it and funding can be secured;
6. Develop a plan for improvements to physical, electronic and human resource infrastructure, along with an assessment of options for generating philanthropic and earned revenues to support such efforts, and staffing configuration/enhancement, for approval by the board.

The board will expect the new ED to prepare an initial assessment of needs and priorities approximately 90 days after hiring.

Requirements of Applicants

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to SGVTC mission and services [educational qualifications may be waived depending on work history]
  • Five years of experience in a senior level of nonprofit administration (with knowledge and experience in the Human Services and/or IDD field) including outreach, planning, budgeting, and fiscal management, with a minimum of three years of experience at an executive level
  • Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, current vehicle insurance, and ability to use personal vehicle for SGVTC business
  • Willingness to travel within SGVTC’s service area, and beyond for conferences, etc.
  • Must be able to pass criminal background check
  • Proof of current COVID-19 vaccination required

Working Conditions and Nondiscrimination

Work is performed typically in an office environment and a variety of settings among diverse stakeholders and participants. A considerable amount of time will be spent in meetings, at a computer screen for extended periods, at events, and visiting dispersed program sites. Limited remote work will be considered as appropriate. Frequent use of electronic media will be required to communicate with stakeholders. The ED will frequently work outside normal working hours and will drive for work with donors, collaborators and other stakeholders in the community. Occasional travel out of town and out of state will be required. Comprehensive performance evaluations will be conducted.

The SGVTC is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.