Acquired Brain Injury/Moving Forward Plan Waiver Director

Description

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as the Central West Acquired Brain Injury/Moving Forward Plan (ABI/MFP) Waiver Director within the Community Systems team. The ABI/MFP Waiver Director provides regional leadership and oversight for residential Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, with a primary focus on the Acquired Brain Injury – Residential Habilitation (ABI-RH) Waiver and related residential waiver services.

The ABI-RH Waiver is a MassHealth HCBS waiver designed to support individuals with acquired brain injuries who are transitioning from nursing facilities or qualifying long-term hospital settings to community-based living. The waiver serves individuals who require 24-hour supervision and staffing in a provider-operated residential setting. DDS is the operating agency for the ABI-RH waiver and provides case management and service coordination to waiver participants.

The Central West ABI/MFP Waiver Director provides leadership, supervision, and program oversight to ensure that waiver participants receive person-centered services and supports that promote health, safety, choice, independence, and successful community living.

The ABI/MFP Waiver Director reports to the Community Systems Director and provides direct supervision and leadership to a multidisciplinary team consisting of:

• 3 Supervisors
• 14 Service Coordinators
• 1 Program Coordinator II
• 1 Office Support Specialist

The Waiver Director is responsible for establishing clear expectations, supporting staff development, monitoring performance, promoting effective communication, and ensuring consistent application of DDS, MassHealth, and waiver policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide overall leadership and operational oversight for the Central West ABI/MFP residential waiver program.
• Supervise and support Service Coordinators, Supervisors, Program Coordinator II, and office support staff.
• Ensure timely and effective delivery of case management and service coordination activities.
• Oversee the development, implementation, monitoring, and review of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) in partnership with individuals, families, providers, and other members of the person's support team.
• Promote person-centered planning practices that reflect each individual's goals, preferences, needs, strengths, and desired outcomes.
• Work closely with residential and community-based service providers to address service needs, resolve concerns, monitor service delivery, and support positive outcomes for waiver participants.
• Facilitate and participate in provider contract meetings, program reviews, and other meetings related to service quality, compliance, capacity, and operational needs.
• Provide oversight and consultation regarding participant transitions from institutional settings to community-based residential services.
• Monitor service capacity and assist with identifying and addressing gaps in residential and other waiver supports.
• Provide leadership and consultation regarding HUB enrollments, participant referrals, and related waiver processes.
• Review and respond to incident reports, ensuring appropriate follow-up, documentation, communication, and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Oversee and monitor budget allocations and related authorization activities, including FMIS authorizations, to support appropriate and timely access to approved services.
• Monitor program expenditures, utilization, and authorization activity to ensure services are consistent with approved plans, waiver requirements, and available resources.
• Collaborate with Central Office on program implementation, policy interpretation, quality management, compliance, reporting, and emerging operational issues.
• Maintain strong working relationships with UMass, MassHealth, DDS Central Office, providers, hospitals, nursing facilities, families, and other community partners involved in the ABI/MFP waiver system.
• Ensure compliance with applicable DDS, MassHealth, HCBS waiver, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
• Review program data and trends to identify opportunities for improved service delivery, quality, efficiency, and participant outcomes.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to staff and providers regarding ABI-RH waiver requirements, participant needs, service planning, and problem resolution.
• Participate in regional and statewide ABI/MFP initiatives, workgroups, meetings, and quality improvement activities.
• Represent the Central West region and DDS in internal and external meetings involving ABI/MFP waiver services and community-based supports.
• Performance management: Establish and monitor regional performance expectations, caseload/workload distribution, timeliness standards, and key program indicators.
• Quality and risk management: Identify systemic quality, health and safety, provider performance, and compliance concerns; develop corrective strategies and escalate significant risks appropriately.
• Operational consistency: Establish consistent regional practices, workflows, documentation standards, and internal controls across ABI/MFP teams.
• Capacity planning: Analyze referrals, vacancies, provider capacity, participant needs, and service gaps to inform regional and statewide planning.
• Change management: Lead implementation of new waiver requirements, policies, systems, procedures, and statewide initiatives within the region.
• Cross-system escalation: Serve as the regional escalation point for complex cases involving providers, hospitals, nursing facilities, MassHealth, UMass, DDS Central Office, or other systems.

Please Note:

Due to the nature of this position, travel will be required throughout the Central/West Region.

Schedule: Monday through Friday - 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Days off: Sunday/Saturday

Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the program.

About the Department of Developmental Services:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds

Pre-Hire Process:

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

• Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dppc-abuser-registry
• Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
• National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check. https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-fingerprint-background-checks

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For technical help with MassCareers, including logging into your profile and/or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title: Program Manager VI

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Springfield- 1 Federal Street

Job: Administrative Services

Agency: Department of Developmental Services

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Oct 15, 2026, 1:24:52 PM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 94,497.74 - 145,463.14 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Kendy Derival, kendy.derival3@mass.gov - 8572835867

Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes