Mission Alignment
The Program Specialist advances the mission of Barber National Institute (BNI) by ensuring individuals receiving residential supports experience safe, consistent, person-centered care that promotes belonging, independence, and quality of life. Through strong care coordination, regulatory compliance, and team alignment, this role helps make dreams come true by strengthening daily practices that support each individual’s goals and community integration.

Overview / General Description
The Program Specialist (PS) provides oversight of individual programming, documentation, regulatory compliance, and team processes across residential Community Homes. This exempt role is generally scheduled Monday through Friday with weekend and on-call responsibilities as needed. The PS serves as an internal lead for care coordination—programmatic, health, behavioral, and social—ensuring services align with each individual’s Individual Support Plan (ISP), Chapter 6400, and 6100 regulations. The PS partners with Residential Supervisors, Lead Direct Support Professionals, and Associate Directors to promote consistent, person-centered practices, documentation quality, and regulatory readiness.

Core Commitments define how the work is done. Team members in this role demonstrate collaboration, transparent communication, problem-solving, adaptability, confidentiality, and ethical judgment.

Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree with one year working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism; OR bachelor’s degree with two years working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism; OR associate’s degree or 60 credit hours with four years working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism.
Experience: Demonstrated experience supporting person-centered planning, documentation quality, and regulatory compliance in residential or community-based services strongly preferred.
Equivalency: Equivalent combinations of education and substantial residential services experience may be considered when the candidate demonstrates capability in ISP/Chapter 6400 responsibilities, documentation accuracy, risk escalation, and coordination of individual supports.
Licensures/Certifications: Medication Administration certification and CPR and First Aid certifications upon hire. Valid driver’s license and ongoing compliance with all agency and insurer driving eligibility requirements are required for any role-related travel.

Regulatory Statement
This position requires successful completion of all regulatory and agency-mandated clearances, including criminal background checks, child abuse clearances, and fingerprinting, as applicable. Ongoing compliance with all required clearances, professional development, and certification requirements outlined in applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies is required.

All staff must maintain confidentiality and uphold Barber National Institute’s mission, values, and ethical standards.