Program Director
Placement: Facility School, grades K-8th
Location: Centennial, CO
Job Type: Full-time; Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Salary Range: $90,000 - $97,000
Certification Requirements: Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Why You’ll Love Working at Handprints
- School-based schedule: No evenings or weekends, and 5+ weeks of vacation time.
- Supportive, collaborative team: Work alongside special education teachers, speech therapists, OTs, PTs, and Instructional Assistants.
- Meaningful impact: Support students with Autism and developmental disabilities through trauma-assumed, relationship-centered practices.
About Handprints Academy Facility School
Handprints Academy is a CDE-authorized facility school designed for students with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities who have significant behavioral, developmental, and communication needs. We offer a highly individualized, interdisciplinary program that integrates special education, applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Our school is intentionally small, with 8 students total, and 1:1 student-to-staff ratios. We follow trauma-assumed, relationship-centered practices to support emotional regulation, communication, and academic learning.
This is not your typical school district setting - we prioritize flexibility, creativity, and intensive support to help students thrive in a way that honors who they are!
Job Summary
The Program Director is the onsite operational and behavioral leader responsible for the daily management of a Handprints Academy facility school campus. This position provides leadership to educational, behavioral, and clinical staff to ensure students receive high-quality, individualized programming in a safe, therapeutic learning environment.
The Program Director provides behavioral consultation, crisis support, staff coaching, and oversight of behavior programming while ensuring educational services are implemented with fidelity and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and licensing requirements.
Working collaboratively with the Executive Director, Special Education Director, and interdisciplinary team, the Program Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the school, supervises campus staff, supports student programming, and promotes a positive culture focused on student outcomes and staff development.
Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesSchool Operations & Leadership
- Provide day-to-day operational leadership for the assigned facility school campus.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and student-centered culture among staff.
- Serve as the primary onsite administrator for daily school operations.
- Address operational issues, parent concerns, and staff needs as they arise.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director regarding campus needs, staffing, and operational planning.
- Assist in developing and implementing school policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable CDE, DHS, and facility school licensing requirements.
Clinical & Behavioral Leadership
- Provide behavioral consultation and support across all classrooms.
- Assist teachers and staff in implementing behavior intervention plans with fidelity.
- Respond to behavioral crises and provide coaching regarding de-escalation and crisis intervention.
- Monitor behavior programming and student progress.
- Ensure ABA programming aligns with each student's IEP and educational goals.
- Support interdisciplinary collaboration among teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and behavioral staff.
- Participate in student problem-solving, placement recommendations, and behavioral planning.
Staff Supervision & Development
- Supervise assigned school staff, including BCBAs, paraprofessionals, and instructional support staff as assigned.
- Conduct staff coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development.
- Assist with recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of staff.
- Provide ongoing mentorship to teachers and support staff regarding behavioral strategies and classroom management.
- Develop and facilitate staff trainings related to ABA, safety procedures, trauma-informed practices, and school procedures.
- Promote accountability while fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
Student Programming
- Monitor implementation of IEP accommodations, behavior plans, and instructional supports.
- Participate in IEP meetings, manifestation determinations, parent conferences, and multidisciplinary team meetings.
- Collaborate with the Special Education Director regarding educational programming and compliance.
- Assist with student scheduling, classroom placement, and programming decisions.
- Support transitions for new students and changes in student programming.
Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure required documentation is completed accurately and on time.
- Monitor data collection and progress monitoring systems.
- Assist with state reporting, audits, licensing reviews, and accreditation activities.
- Maintain compliance with IDEA, CDE, DHS, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
- Support documentation related to safety incidents, investigations, and compliance activities.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis or related field
- Current BCBA certification required
- Minimum 4 years of experience as a BCBA
- Experience in facility schools or typical educational settings strongly preferred
- 1+ years previous supervisory or managerial experience required
- Strong understanding of IDEA, IEP development, and facility school regulations, preferred
- Excellent leadership, coaching, conflict resolution, and communication skills
- CPR/First Aid certification
- Successfully pass all required background checks and school clearances
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements outlined below are representative of those needed to successfully perform the essential duties of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with disabilities.
This is an active, hands-on position. Team members should be comfortable engaging in a range of physical activities throughout the day, including standing, walking, running, bending, kneeling, crouching, and sitting on the floor or in child-sized seating.
The role may involve supporting students during moments of dysregulation, which can include safely assisting with movement, blocking, or as a last resort, physical restraint. Staff should be able to lift or assist in lifting up to 150 pounds with support from other team members when needed.
Successfully completing required training in verbal and physical safety interventions (i.e., Safety Care) is required.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $97,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 3% Match
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (Required)
Work Location: In person
