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Assistant Director of Community Living
 
At Makom, we are dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to achieve the quality of life they aspire to live. If you are an enthusiastic professional eager to make a meaningful difference in the IDD community, we want to meet you!
For over 40 years, we have led the delivery of compassionate, innovative services to individuals and families in the IDD community across Maryland and Virginia. Our team of over 450 professionals is united by a shared commitment to fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. At Makom, you will have the chance to be part of a transformative mission while working in a community that values your individuality, expertise, and aspirations.
The Role:
Supports the Director of Community Living in the coordination, organization, and follow-through of Community Living operations. Serves as a trusted operational resource to the Director by helping monitor priorities, identify barriers, coordinate follow-up, and support consistent implementation of decisions across Community Living. This is a non-supervisory role and does not have direct reports or independent supervisory authority.

Reports To: Director of Community Living

Responsibilities:
Leadership and Core Accountabilities:
  • Support the Director in monitoring Program Manager operations and identifying areas requiring follow-up, clarification, resources, or escalation.
  • Conduct or participate in routine site reviews at the direction of the Director and communicate observations, emerging concerns, and recommended follow-up.
  • Coordinate follow-up on vacancies, staffing disruptions, transitions, incidents, and emerging risks, escalating decisions requiring Director-level action.
  • Review schedules, overtime, vacancies, and service utilization with Program Managers and provide analysis and recommendations without assuming supervisory authority.
  • Partner with Nursing, Innovations & Excellence, and People & Culture as directed to support competency checks, corrective actions, and organizational learning following incidents.
  • Support delegated matters and communicate decisions, unresolved risks, and follow-up clearly; delegated authority does not include direct supervisory authority.
Operational Support and Coordination:
  • Review operational information from Program Managers, including audits, staffing plans, site concerns, and corrective action follow-through, and provide recommendations for Director review.
  • When designated, act on behalf of the Director during absences or on specific delegated responsibilities; such authority is limited and does not include ongoing or direct supervisory authority.
  • Support the Director in validating that site-level routines respect privacy, community access, personal possessions, visitors, choice of schedule, and other HCBS rights.
Director-Delegated Operational Responsibilities:
  • Support survey preparation and evidence gathering; monitor assigned correction deadlines and provide updates to the Director and quality functions.
  • Review staffing, vacancies, overtime, incident patterns, and service outcome information; provide analysis and recommendations and track assigned improvement projects.
Quality Outcomes and Financial Stewardship:
  • Support the Director in advancing high-quality supports; identify service barriers, recommend or coordinate actions, and track follow-through on assigned actions.
  • Support continuous review of Community Living performance and outcomes, including transition goals, skills, employment, retention, participation, satisfaction, service utilization, quality, and risk.
  • Support continuous improvement action plans and measures as directed, evaluating the person's experience and outcomes rather than only attendance or task completion.
  • Analyze and monitor program budgets with the Chief Programs Officer and Finance; monitor financial performance, labor utilization, expenses, and annual planning.
  • Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the role.
NADSP Ethics and CQL Quality of Life Practice:
  • Use CQL Personal Outcome Measures principles to learn what matters to each person and evaluate supports for rights, choice, relationships, health, safety, belonging, and meaningful goals.
  • Model the NADSP Code of Ethics through supported decision-making, respect for identity and culture, confidentiality, professional boundaries, and community inclusion; share resources and observations with supervisors and staff.
  • Support role-specific training and competency requirements before independent assigned support; use observation, incident learning, and feedback from people supported to address gaps.
  • Promote positive behavior supports and trauma-informed responses within staff scope; coordinate with qualified professionals and protect rights when addressing behavioral or safety concerns.
Competencies:
  • Operational Leadership & Coordination — Coordinates priorities, monitors implementation, identifies barriers, and supports continuity of operations.
  • Accountability & Follow-Through — Tracks assigned actions, deadlines, and outcomes; communicates progress and risks.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving — Analyzes challenges, identifies root causes, and develops practical recommendations.
  • Quality Improvement & Outcomes Measurement — Uses data, observations, and feedback to evaluate results.
  • Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management — Recognizes concerns, supports corrective actions, and escalates risks.
  • Financial & Resource Stewardship — Understands budgets, staffing patterns, overtime, service utilization, and resource allocation.
  • Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration — Works effectively with Program Managers, Nursing, Quality, People & Culture, Finance, and partners.
  • Person-Centered Practices, Rights & Self-Determination — Promotes dignity, choice, privacy, relationships, participation, and goals.
  • Professional Judgment, Ethics & Confidentiality — Demonstrates integrity, discretion, judgment, and professional boundaries.
  • Change Management & Implementation — Supports implementation of decisions, changes, and improvements.
  • Leading the Makom Way — Demonstrates excellence, inclusion, integrity, and person-centered support.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred, with 3 years of demonstrated experience in a similar role with comparable core functions.
  • Ability to work occasional nonstandard hours and respond to emergencies outside traditional working hours.
  • Demonstrated success aligning departmental goals with organizational strategy.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft applications and willingness to learn service, workforce, and reporting systems.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize competing responsibilities, and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Strong business and financial judgment, including monitoring budgets, labor utilization, expenses, and resources.
  • Critical thinking and practical, solution-oriented problem-solving skills.
  • Strong organization, innovation, and attention to detail and quality.
  • Professional demeanor and respectful relationships with people supported, staff, families, and community partners.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills adapted to the audience.
  • Ability to collaborate across functions, gain commitment, and understand stakeholder challenges and effects of decisions.
  • Ability to coordinate across teams, follow through, communicate expectations, and support accountability through tracking and escalation.
  • Valid MD, VA, or DC driver’s license and ability to meet applicable drug screening, background, reference, and training requirements.
Work Environment and Position Details:
  • Physical Demands: Must be able to perform essential physical functions, with reasonable accommodation as applicable.
  • Work Environment: Office, service, and community settings across assigned Maryland and Virginia programs.
  • Position Type/Expected Hours: Full-time, non-supervisory leadership support role; may include evenings, weekends, and urgent response.
  • Travel: Local travel according to assigned programs and responsibilities.
  • Other Duties: Duties and responsibilities may change based on organizational needs.
Our Culture:
At Makom, we champion a culture rooted in integrity, inclusion, excellence, and self-determination. We celebrate the unique contributions of every team member and strive to build a community where everyone feels valued and empowered to excel. Makom is a place of belonging. A place of support. A place of connection. A place where every individual can continue to grow. We will continuously push the boundaries of what it means for individuals to live meaningful, self-determined lives.

Join Us:
If you are ready to bring your passion, skills, and dedication to an organization committed to making a difference, we invite you to apply and become part of the Makom family. Together, we will continue to innovate, empower, and inspire.
Let us build a brighter future—one life at a time.

Commitment to EEO:
Makom provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.