Residential Director of Compliance and Quality in Longview, Washington at Life Works

The Residential Director of Compliance & Quality is responsible for system-wide regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and investigative oversight across all residential programs.

This role serves as the primary authority on compliance, ensuring that programs consistently meet WAC, DDA, and agency requirements.

Each Program Coordinator is assigned a primary supervising Director for overall performance management. In this role, the Director of Compliance & Quality will serve as the primary supervisor for a designated cluster of Program Coordinators, while also providing functional oversight and guidance to all programs in matters related to compliance, quality assurance, and investigations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Regulatory Compliance & Standards

• Ensures all residential programs meet applicable regulatory requirements (WAC, DDA, and other governing bodies)
• Maintains oversight of residential operational policies and procedures that ensure compliance with statutory requirements
• Has final authority on interpretation of compliance standards and required corrective actions

Investigations

• Reviews all client incident reports to determine investigation requirements
• Leads and executes internal investigations, including:
• Documentation
• Timelines
• Findings and outcomes
• Determines when escalation to Executive Director is required
• Coordinates with Medical and Behavioral Directors for subject-matter input as needed

Audit Leadership

• Leads all internal and external audits related to residential program performance
• Oversees audit preparation, execution, and response
• Monitors program performance against regulatory expectations
• Responds to DDA quality assurance requests and leads the response process to any RCS requests, including follow up responses to RCS findings

Program-Level Compliance Oversight

• Conducts routine site visits and compliance observations across programs
• Reviews program documentation for regulatory alignment and consistency
• Ensures corrective actions are implemented and sustained

Shared Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are shared across Directors with defined ownership:

• Service Plans (IISP):
• Compliance Director ensures regulatory alignment
• Medical and Behavioral Directors ensure clinical accuracy
• Incident Review:
• Compliance Director determines investigation level and compliance implications
• Medical and Behavioral Directors provide domain-specific analysis
• Program Coordinator Development:
• Each Director coaches PCs within their expertise area
• Primary supervising Director owns overall performance management

Supervision & Leadership

• Serves as primary supervisor for an assigned cluster of Program Coordinators (4–5) and the Residential Compliance and Quality Supervisor, responsible for:
• Performance management
• Scheduling oversight
• Coaching and development
• Participates in hiring, training, and discipline of assigned staff
• Conducts regular 1:1 meeting with assigned Program Coordinators
• Provides compliance-focused coaching to all Program Coordinators across the system

Decision Authority

• This role has final decision-making authority in the following areas:
• Compliance interpretation and enforcement
• Investigation outcomes and required actions
• Audit readiness and compliance priorities

This role collaborates but does not defer authority in compliance-related matters.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partners with:
• Medical Supports Director on clinical compliance (medications, medical documentation)
• Behavioral Supports Director on behavioral compliance (BSPs, restrictive procedures)
• Aligns with other Directors to maintain consistent expectations across programs
• Escalates systemic risks or non-compliance trends to the Executive Director

Additional Responsibilities

• Leads agency-wide core training and/or compliance training
• Supports cross-program collaboration and consistency
• Assists in program coverage during emergencies
• Performs other duties as assigned

Position requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, education, psychology, or related discipline is required; a combination of experience and education would be considered
• Minimum of three years of successful upper management/supervisory, programmatic, operations and administrative experience required encompassing progressive management.
• Experience working with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Experience with quality management systems

Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations:

• Must obtain criminal clearances as required. These could include: the Washington criminal history check, FBI criminal history check, and child abuse clearances in accordance with DSHS and DVR regulations.  
• Must pass a drug screen. 
• Valid driver’s license with driving record that meets agency policy.
• Have a current CPR/First aid certification required or must be obtained
• Must maintain all training and certifications requirements each year.

REQUIRED SKILLS and Abilities:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Ability to create forms, reports, graphs, and tables. 
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization's cloud-based databases such as Therap, When I Work, ADP, etc.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations regarding services for individuals with disabilities.
• Technical writing skills
• Able to work flexible hours
• Recognizes own personal biases, stereotypes, and prejudices to maintain objectivity when interacting with others
• Promotes and demonstrates Agency's core values and mission. Build honest, sustainable relationships with all agency staff. 
• Communicates effectively (verbally and in writing) in a concise and timely manner, ensuring the privacy of others and using respectful and person-centered language. 
• Listens effectively and clarifies information as needed
• Ability to implement effective group and inter-group work, monitor group level performance indicators, and diagnose and resolve problems among work groups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a team environment and interact with all levels of the organization
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
• Demonstrated change management
• Strong problem identification and problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must have essential physical skills - be able to run, squat, stoop/bend, kneel, climb stairs, be able to lift at least 50 pounds (or ¼ own body weight), push and pull against potential resistance; and be able to implement non-physical and physical interventions and CPR with people supported when needed.
• Able to work at computer or desk area for extended periods of time 
• Able to stand for up to four hours at a time 
• Frequent standing, walking and sitting 
• Pushing, pulling, crouching and reaching as required 
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds 
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to the required schedule for the position and maintain regular and reliable attendance on a consistent basis.