Weekend Respite Program Manager

Weekend Respite Program Manager

QP or QIDP Qualification Preferred

Location: Rural Hall, North Carolina
Employment Type: Part-Time, Approximately 24 Hours Per Week
Typical Schedule: Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., with adjusted hours as program needs require
Compensation: [Insert hourly range]
Reports To: [Insert appropriate leadership title]

Lead a Small Program That Makes a Meaningful Difference

Horizons Residential Care Center is seeking a dependable, compassionate, and hands-on Weekend Respite Program Manager to lead and carry out our weekend respite program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The respite program provides individuals with a safe, engaging, and supportive environment while giving families and caregivers planned periods of relief. Because this is a small program, the Manager will be actively involved in daily services—not solely performing administrative or supervisory duties.

The ideal candidate is qualified, or able to document eligibility, as a Qualified Professional (QP). Candidates who also meet Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Overview

The Weekend Respite Program Manager is responsible for the safe, organized, person-centered operation of the respite program. This position coordinates weekend services, supervises and supports assigned employees, communicates with families and guardians, maintains required documentation, and ensures each participant receives meaningful and individualized support.

The Manager must be comfortable shifting between leadership and direct-service responsibilities. This may include organizing activities, coaching employees, communicating with families, reviewing service documentation, responding to participant needs, and providing direct support when needed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the weekend respite program.

• Be present and available during scheduled program hours, generally Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Adjust program activities and operations based on attendance, participant needs, staffing, weather, special events, or other circumstances.

• Create a safe, welcoming, structured, and engaging environment for respite participants.

• Plan and implement meaningful, age-appropriate, and person-centered recreational, social, educational, sensory, and community-based activities.

• Ensure services reflect each participant’s preferences, abilities, goals, support plan, behavioral needs, and health and safety requirements.

• Provide direct support to participants as needed, including assistance with activities of daily living and personal-care needs within the employee’s training and assigned responsibilities.

• Supervise, coach, and provide direction to employees assigned to the respite program.

• Assign responsibilities and monitor employee performance throughout each program day.

• Ensure employees understand and consistently follow participant-specific plans, behavior-support strategies, dietary instructions, safety precautions, and agency procedures.

• Address attendance, performance, communication, or service concerns promptly and notify appropriate leadership when further action is needed.

• Maintain appropriate staffing coverage and communicate anticipated scheduling concerns in advance.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for families and guardians regarding scheduling, attendance, participant needs, and routine program updates.

• Build positive and professional relationships with participants, families, guardians, employees, and other service providers.

• Support participant intake, screening, admissions, and orientation processes in collaboration with agency leadership.

• Participate in person-centered planning meetings for respite participants when required.

• Develop or coordinate service planning for county-funded respite participants, as assigned.

• Maintain complete and accurate participant records, attendance information, service documentation, consents, incident documentation, and other required program records.

• Review employee documentation for accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.

• Ensure services comply with applicable agency requirements and funding-source requirements, including Innovations Waiver, 1915(i), and county-funded respite requirements, as applicable.

• Protect the health, safety, dignity, rights, privacy, and personal property of each participant.

• Recognize and immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, injuries, incidents, or other reportable concerns according to agency procedures.

• Communicate significant participant, staffing, safety, or operational concerns to leadership promptly.

• Monitor program supplies, activity materials, participant equipment, and the condition of the respite environment.

• Assist with community activities or transportation when authorized, trained, and assigned.

• Perform other duties reasonably related to the operation of the respite program.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human-services field or another field that supports qualification as a QP or QIDP.

• At least two years of relevant experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or another applicable populations

• Ability to meet and document applicable Qualified Professional requirements.

• Experience providing direct support or program services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Ability to work the regular weekend schedule of Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with reasonable schedule adjustments based on program needs.

• Strong judgment and the ability to respond calmly and appropriately to participant, family, staffing, or safety concerns.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to complete and review service documentation accurately and on time.

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn required electronic documentation systems.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record if driving is included in the assigned responsibilities.

• Ability to meet all applicable background, health, training, and pre-employment requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Qualification as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional.

• Previous experience with respite, Innovations Waiver, 1915(i), county-funded, residential, or community-based I/DD services.

• Previous supervisory, team-lead, or program-coordination experience.

• Experience developing person-centered activities or service plans.

• Experience communicating with families and guardians.

• Familiarity with incident reporting, participant rights, behavior-support plans, and service documentation.

Skills That Support Success

• Hands-on and dependable leadership

• Strong organization and follow-through

• Sound judgment and problem-solving

• Person-centered thinking

• Professional communication

• Employee coaching and accountability

• Flexibility in a changing service environment

• Creativity in planning meaningful activities

• Respect for participant choice, dignity, and rights

Physical and Work Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The role may require the ability to:

• Stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, kneel, balance, reach, and use stairs.

• Assist participants with mobility, positioning, personal care, and adaptive equipment within the employee’s training and assigned responsibilities.

• Lift, push, pull, or move the amount established by the final job description based on the actual physical demands of the program.

• Work in an environment that may occasionally be noisy or involve exposure to bodily fluids, bloodborne pathogens, airborne pathogens, or infectious materials.

• Operate authorized vehicles or program equipment when trained and assigned.

Why Join Horizons

This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of a meaningful, established program while remaining directly connected to the individuals and families it serves. The Weekend Respite Program Manager can shape the quality of each weekend experience, develop trusting family relationships, support employee growth, and help participants enjoy safe and engaging time in their community.

How to Apply

Please submit your résumé and include information about:

• Your experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities

• Your QP or QIDP qualification status

• Your leadership or program-management experience

• Your availability to work Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Horizons Residential Care Center is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.