Director of Resource Navigation & Training

About Raise the Bar:

Raise the Bar Family Services Inc. is a small nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Camden, NJ. We aim to enhance the well-being of individuals and families by providing inclusive, high-quality programs and accessible resources. Join our growing team in creating a lasting impact!

Role Overview:

The Director of Resource Navigation & Training will play a pivotal role in developing and expanding Raise the Bar’s resource navigation services for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Camden, NJ. This leadership position will report to the Executive Director and will be responsible for building the structures, processes, and procedures necessary to support families in accessing essential services and navigating the NJ system of care for both youth and adults with IDD.

Additionally, this role will lead efforts to grow our community training initiatives, providing education on disability-related topics to promote inclusion and awareness. The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter with deep knowledge of IDD services in New Jersey and a passion for empowering families. This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader to build a program from the ground up and make a lasting impact in the community.

Work Expectations:

• Location: Hybrid role with 2 in-person days per week in Camden, NJ.
• Hours: Employees work approximately 8 hours Monday-Thursday and 3 hours on Fridays. Team members attend evening/weekend programs about four times per month, with half-day Fridays provided to offset this commitment.

Key Responsibilities

Resource Navigation Program (approximately 80% of time)

Current efforts related to resource navigation are more reactive: when a family has a challenge or asks for additional support, Raise the Bar steps in to help. Over the first year of this Director’s role, we aim to adjust the structure of this program area to be more proactive in providing support.

This will involve the following responsibilities:

• Build Relationships & Assess Needs (First 3-6 Months): Spend the initial 3-6 months intentionally engaging with the community to build relationships and gain a deep understanding of the current state, challenges, and needs of the resource navigation program.
• Provide Direct Support to Families: Gradually take the lead in supporting families, ensuring a smooth transition from existing relationships. Current responsibilities include assisting with annual guardianship renewals, guiding caregivers of youth (21+) through the DDD application process, and providing IEP advocacy and attendance for 1-2 families per year as requested.
• Expand Partnerships & Strengthen Referral Networks: Conduct outreach and establish partnerships with local organizations to address service gaps and create strong, reliable referral pathways for families.
• Enhance Program Structure & Ongoing Support: Improve current systems and develop sustainable structures for supporting families. This may include joining or leading intake meetings with new families, implementing regular (approximately monthly) check-in calls or visits for families seeking ongoing support.

Community Training Initiative (approximately 15% of time)

While resource navigation is the primary focus of this role, the Community Training Initiative remains an important area of growth. Raise the Bar has been providing trainings on Ableism, Inclusion, and other disability-related topics upon request. In the future, we aim to expand and monetize these offerings as a source of earned revenue.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop a business plan for a structured training program for the local community.
• Conduct outreach to corporations, organizations, and schools to offer professional development trainings.
• Lead scheduled training courses, serve as the primary contact for partners, and gather feedback to refine and improve sessions.

Other Items (approximately 5% of time)

• As a small team, we currently ask that all staff attend and support our ongoing programs, including Kids Club, Social Squad, Caregiver Nights, and Community Events.
• Engage in professional development and leadership opportunities to improve skills.

Rates and Perks:

• Salary range: $55,000 – $70,000 per year, depending on experience
• Perks:
• Flexible Time Off: Unlimited paid time off (PTO), allowing you to take the time you need while ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Health Benefits
• Hybrid & Flexible Work Environment: Balance remote and in-person work with a schedule that supports flexibility.
• Growth Opportunities: Potential to build and lead a team as the program expands.

Experience and Qualifications

Required:

• 5-7 years of relevant work experience, preferably in Social Work, Disability Services, or other relevant fields.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Professional communication and interpersonal skills
• Positive, hands-on work ethic with a willingness to go above and beyond in a small team environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and general technology skills
• Interest in Raise the Bar's mission
• Background in the disability sector and working with diverse populations

Strongly preferred:

• Database management experience
• Spanish Language proficiency