Team Leader – Job Description

Classification

Non-exempt Hourly

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range

$19.00/hour (60 hours a week)

Reports to

Program Administrator

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE

The Team Leader provides supervision, leadership, and guidance to Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) while serving as senior direct care staff with primary responsibility for supporting the people served. This role requires strong communication, organization, and supervisory skills; the ability to prioritize and delegate; and a high degree of compassion, empathy, and flexibility. Candidates must have at least two years of successful direct care experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and demonstrate a commitment to team leadership and leading by example.

The Team Leader maintains confidentiality at all levels and fosters positive, professional relationships with employees, people served, families, guardians, case managers, and community partners. This position supports and promotes the organization’s vision, mission, core values, and objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

INTERACTION SKILLS: Communicate clearly, courteously, and concisely—both verbally and in writing—with people served, employees, families, state agencies, and providers. The Team Leader must accurately give and follow written and verbal directions. All interactions with people supported must be respectful and aligned with their preferences, including name, tone, volume, communication style, and engagement approach. Communication should be adjusted as needed based on the individual’s feedback. Respectful communication is especially critical in challenging situations. Staff must never discuss individuals in their presence as if they are not there. All conversations held in their presence must acknowledge and include them, offering an opportunity to participate regardless of interest or ability.

ORGANIZATION: Organize and prioritize the tasks of the job for maximum efficiency. As part of the daily routine, tasks may include preparing reports/proposals, collecting data, and scheduling appointments for the people served. Other tasks may include developing and keeping records, developing in-house training, reporting clinical data, workers' compensation first reports, and habilitation plans.

NUTRITION: Responsible for overseeing the nutritional needs of the people served, including developing, implementing, and monitoring a planned cycle menu for daily meals. The Team Leader ensures staff and individuals in the home are trained in meal preparation, including adherence to any prescribed special diets.

HABILITATION: Assist in developing habilitation plans, activities, work, and behavior intervention programs that support the needs of the people who live in the home.

ENVIRONMENT: Oversee and manage the cleanliness, sanitation, and overall condition of the home in compliance with fire codes and applicable federal and state regulations. Ensure the property is well maintained, equipment is properly kept or repaired, and safeguards are in place to prevent vandalism and theft. The Team Leader will train staff in proper housekeeping procedures, with an emphasis on sanitation and infection control.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Establish and follow procedures that ensure the health and safety of all people served, staff, and visitors. The Team Leader supports implementation of an ongoing safety program that prioritizes safety, encourages team participation, and complies with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and DSP-ME safety guidelines.

FINANCIAL: Assist in managing the home’s financial operations, including adhering to approved budgets, overseeing expenditures, processing timecards, reviewing monthly financial reports, overseeing petty cash, and planning for the proper maintenance of equipment and the building(s).

TEAMWORK: Foster team spirit and staff collaboration by providing leadership, modeling professional standards, and guiding the team to take ownership of the quality and productivity of their work.

TRAINING: Oversee team development by ensuring effective orientation, in-service, and on-the-job training. Assist in developing and implementing training to keep staff current on state and federal regulations and agency procedures. Emphasize maintaining a strong understanding of each person’s evolving program needs and provide guidance on appropriately discussing issues related to individuals with developmental disabilities.

COMPLIANCE: Assist the Residential Coordinator in implementing and ensuring compliance with DSP-ME policies and procedures, as well as all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This includes oversight of rights restrictions, abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting, behavioral and quality assurance reporting, program administration, recruitment and hiring, recordkeeping, and employee evaluations. Ensure all required policies, procedures, regulations, and guidelines are maintained on-site, accessible, and consistently followed by staff.

DOCUMENTATION: Maintain current house policies and procedures, document minutes of team meetings, and ensure medical and other required records for individuals served are accurate and up to date. Assist in conducting program evaluations, satisfaction surveys, and preparing Administrative and Clinical Reports as needed.

DRIVING & VEHICLE USE: The Team Leader must maintain a good driving record and have a reliable personal vehicle. Ensure staff are trained in safe driving practices and that routine vehicle inspections and maintenance are completed.

SCHEDULING: Collaborate with the Program Administrator to develop employee schedules that ensure proper program staffing. Focus on meeting the needs of the people served, maintaining a cohesive team environment, accommodating staff when appropriate to avoid conflicts, and supporting staff retention.

SUPPORT FOR OTHER POSITIONS: The Team Leader will provide coverage for staff as needed during illness, crises, vacations, or other times when no other staff are available.

OTHER: May participate in DSP-ME committees or assist with various projects, producing reports as requested by the supervisor. Additional related duties may be assigned as needed.

Characteristics of an ideal candidate

• Positive

• Responsible

• Trustworthy

• Punctual

• Self-Motivated

• Curious

Supervisory Responsibility

This position directly supervises all direct support staff in a group home.

Physical Demands

The employee must be able to talk and hear regularly, and frequently stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with arms. The role may occasionally require lifting office products or supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.

Travel

Some travel is required to transport clients to appointments, community activities, and shopping. Travel is reimbursed at $0.42 per mile.

Required Education and Experience

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Evergreen

2. Multi-Lingual (French, Somali, Portuguese, Swahili preferred)

Additional Eligibility Qualifications Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.