Program Director for Adult Day Program

At Dungarvin, we are more than a provider of support services - we’re a mission-driven team rooted in respect, inclusion, and person-centered care. Since 1976, we’ve been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with mental health, behavioral, or complex medical needs.

Our mission is simple but powerful: respecting and responding to the choices of people in need of supports. This mission guides everything we do - from creating individualized service plans to building strong partnerships with families, teams, and communities.

As a Dungarvin employee, you’ll be at the heart of that mission. You’ll help people live meaningful lives on their own terms - supporting their goals, honoring their choices, and empowering their independence.

About the Role:

Dungarvin is hiring a Program Director to lead our licensed Adult Day Program in Signal Hill, California. This is an operational leadership role for someone who knows how to run a program, lead staff, create structure, and keep services moving in a busy, people-focused environment.

This is not a clinical, therapy, or case management position. This role leads the full day-to-day operation of the program, including staff supervision, scheduling, documentation, compliance, program flow, team development, safety, and service quality.

The right leader will be visible, hands-on, organized, and confident stepping into a program that needs structure, consistency, and strong day-to-day leadership.

Please review the require qualifications, below. 

Perks & Benefits

• Salary $70,800
• Full Range Scale:  $70,800 to $78,915 (starting rate $70,800 salary, pay increases based on tenure in position)
• Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance for eligible employees
• Supplemental Insurance
• Flex Spending and HSA Accounts for eligible employees
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance for eligible employees
• 401 K plan with up to  3% employer match for eligible employees
• PAID TIME OFF (PTO) for eligible employees
• Growth and Development Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• National Brand Discounts
• Tapcheck - early pay access
• PAID training and orientation

What You'll Do:

As the Program Director, you will oversee the full operation of the Signal Hill Adult Day Program. Your work will include leading staff, supporting individuals served, keeping documentation and compliance on track, and creating a program culture where expectations are clear and staff feel supported. 

You will:  

• Lead daily operations of a licensed adult day program, including staffing, scheduling, payroll, documentation, safety, program flow, and budget oversight
• Supervise, coach, and develop a team of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in a hands-on, floor-based environment
• Implement and oversee person-centered service plans (IPP goals) and behavior support strategies
• Ensure regulatory compliance with Title 17, Title 22, and Community Care Licensing requirements for a licensed day program
• Maintain accurate program documentation, oversee audits, and lead quality assurance efforts
• Partner with Regional Center, Community Care Licensing, families, residential providers, and interdisciplinary teams
• Develop and oversee engaging, workshop-style day program activities that promote independence, community integration, and life skills
• Provide hands-on leadership during behavioral situations and model best practices for staff
• Oversee facility operations, safety procedures, and program environment
• Manage staffing ratios, attendance, and daily program flow to ensure quality services and compliance
• Build a team culture based on communication, accountability, follow-through, and respect
• Create structure and consistency 
• Ensure services are person-centered, goal-driven, and aligned with individual service plans
• Create a positive, engaging program culture for both staff and individuals served

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for a leader who is steady, direct, and hands-on. Someone who can make decisions, communicate clearly, and bring calm structure to a busy environment.  

The ideal candidate is:  

• A strong leader who knows how to coach, train, and hold people accountable
• Comfortable leading a team of 15+ staff in a hands-on environment
• Organized and able to manage competing priorities
• Confident making decisions and solving daily operational issues
• Comfortable working around behavioral needs and supporting staff through escalated situations
• Able to build trust with staff, individuals served, families, and community partners
• Strong with documentation, follow-through, and compliance expectations
• Comfortable being visible in the program, not just working from an office
• Able to create systems, routines, and expectations where structure is needed

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field (e.g., Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Allied Health, Educational Psychology, Sociology, Human Services) is preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a human services delivery system
• 1 year in a supervisory, management, or director role in a human services delivery system
• At least 2 years of experience or training in one of the following:
  • Care and supervision of individuals in a adult day program or residential facility/home.
  • Care and supervision of individuals similar to those served in this day program
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a structured or facility-based setting
• Experience working with Regional Centers, Community Care Licensing, and knowledge of Title 17 and Title 22 regulations
• Experience developing and implementing individual program plans (IPP), behavior plans, or structured skill-building program
• Experience with staff supervision, coaching, and performance management
• Experience in a facility-based program environment with multiple staff and individuals served
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record
• Must be able to lift and transfer up to 50 pounds
• Physician’s clearance and TB test clearance

The Ideal Leader:

• Decisive, visible, and outgoing
• Calm and professional during behavioral escalations
• Skilled at coaching and holding staff accountable
• Organized and able to manage competing priorities
• Ownership-driven and goal-oriented
• Able to build trust with staff and individuals served
• Comfortable creating structure, systems, and accountability where it is needed.  
• Leads from the floor, not just from the office

Hours:

• Full-time exempt position (40 hours per week).
• Schedule must have flexibility to accommodate program, individual, and staff needs

We believe in supporting not only those we serve but also each other, ensuring a collaborative and supportive work environment for all. Dungarvin is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status per federal and/or state law.

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