Associate Director

Position Purpose

The START Program Associate Director leads the day-to-day operations of START, a 24/7 crisis intervention and prevention program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs. The Associate Director oversees program activities, including outreach, referral, intake, placement, service delivery, documentation, billing functions, data integrity, and overall team performance. This position leads their staff in following best practices and ensuring satisfaction with services, builds collaborative relationships with staff and colleagues, and develops processes and systems that support the department. Analytical thinking and strong communication guide this work toward departmental goals.

Essential Duties

• Provide leadership and clinical guidance to the START team.
• Actively engages as a member of RMHS's expanded management to pursue strategic initiatives to improve and change programmatic services and supports.
• Develops, implements, and monitors utilization, quality, and financial objectives to support the department in alignment with the organization's strategic priorities.
• Work with the Director of Denver Programs and Finance team to prepare and monitor budgets.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures in alignment with organizational mission and objectives.
• Establish community linkages within the IDD and mental health community as per contract requirements.
• Serve as a liaison to community network partners.
• Serve as Administrator-On-Call (24hrs/day) for seven (7) consecutive days, approximately once a month.
• Act as a representative of the START team in the community.
• Coordinate necessary training utilizing expertise of psychologists and psychiatrists, team leaders, and specialists within the community.
• Collaborate with other members of the START leadership team to monitor quality of START service delivery and ensure fidelity to the START model.
• Enter, monitor, and ensure data entry for all team members in the START Information Reporting System and other required databases.
• Responsible for using data to inform programmatic decision-making.
• Attend monthly meetings with other national START directors and collaborate as needed.
• Respond to requests from local and state agencies for data and program information.
• Prepare reports for DHS contract requirements in collaboration with functional teams.
• Chair, plan, and facilitate quarterly START Advisory Council meetings.
• Participate in and complete START Coordinator Certification training within 12 months of hire.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position is responsible for directly supervising up to seven (7) professional positions.
• Provides leadership, clinical guidance, coaching, and performance direction to the START team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience with clinical care coordination in the I/DD and mental health systems
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building positive culture.
• Experience in maintaining strategic working relationships with internal and community partners.
• Experience and knowledge of strong customer service practices and bio/psycho/social approaches.
• Can prioritize and communicate to staff with key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve departmental goals.
• Experience with the use of data and technology to support service delivery.
• Knowledge of issues related to behavioral health, intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities, family dynamics, and community resources.
• Cultural humility and responsiveness
• Experience in fiscal management and monitoring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and knowledge of privacy and confidentiality rules and regulations.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, respect, inclusion, cultural humility, collaboration, and a person-centered commitment in all professional interactions.
• Models sound judgment, adaptability, initiative, and clear communication while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Skills, Expectations, Competencies, and Values

• Interpret and apply complex regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare and present compelling, fact-based information in administrative hearings.
• Manage multiple appeals and competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
• Exercise independent judgment and effective decision-making.
• Build strong partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats.
• Analyze data and trends to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Produce timely and accurate reports and documentation.
• Maintain professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality at all times.

Education and/or Experience

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling or other human service field with 2 years' experience working with people with IDD and behavioral health needs required along with two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Experience collaborating with community service systems a plus.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certified START Coordinator required within twelve (12) months of start date.
• Licensure or certification as a LCSW, LPC, or other mental health licensure in the state of Colorado.

Travel

• Regular local travel throughout the RMHS service area may be required to support programs, staff, community partnerships, and organizational initiatives.
• Valid driver's license, proof of motor vehicle insurance required.