OVERVIEW 

The Community Leader / Executive Director (CL/ED) commits to being responsible for guiding L’Arche Heartland in living authentically the mission and values of L’Arche in its commitment to community among adults with and without intellectual disabilities, finding spirituality in its daily life, while simultaneously maintaining strict compliance with all licensing requirements. This person ensures that the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities are met and that their gifts are promoted both within the L’Arche Heartland community and in the wider environs. The CL/ED leads the implementation of the community goals consistent with the Identity and Mission of L’Arche. This individual leads, manages, and administers the daily operations of the community in order to meet the financial, legal, and quality standards expected from the governmental authorities. The CL/ED works collaboratively with the Board of Directors and representatives from L’Arche USA. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Ensure the spiritual life of the community: helping articulate the spirituality of L’Arche,  ensuring a vibrant communal spirituality as well as nurture and respect for each person’s needs. 

• Guarantee the quality of care towards adults with intellectual disabilities: ensuring and developing the professional skills of the teams; guaranteeing compliance with all regulations, ensuring best practices; implementing a formalized and shared formalized person-centered plan for every individual with a disability; implementing a high level of cooperation/consultation with specialists beyond L’Arche. 

• Build and develop a vibrant community life: ensuring a close and open presence to all community members; ensuring the organization of community events and meaningful gatherings; guaranteeing the openness of the community to its environs, families and neighbors; building links with L’Arche regionally, nationally and internationally. 

• Raise funds, develop the community, and manage its finances: nurturing and expanding L’Arche Heartland’s’ fundraising capabilities; guiding fundraising planning; developing and managing the ~$2 million budget of the community to ensure it serves the mandate; developing strategic plan to broaden the reach of the L’Arche Heartland community; identifying additional local needs L’Arche Heartland could address; plan and oversee maintenance and improvements of 5 homes, 1 day service, and 9 vehicles; participating in the Solidarity program of L’Arche USA in relationship to L’Arche communities around the world. 

• Promote the message of L’Arche: promoting a culture of open and active communication in the community and beyond; proactively expanding the diversity of the community where L’Arche plays a role, consistent with the diversity of the greater Kansas City community; developing close relationships/links with relevant state/local authorities, professional organizations and religious leaders. 

• Manage human resources: supervising, supporting, and evaluating direct team members, ensuring a good system of supervision and appraisal is in place for all assistants and employees; implementing an efficient recruitment and skills development process in the community (with special attention to leadership development, and to personal goals of members); supporting and empowering assistants and volunteers in a way that helps them develop their motivation and their vocation/personal mission in life and in L’Arche; working in close relationship with the support structures of L’Arche on all these issues. 

• Work with Other L’Arche Communities: engage with L’Arche USA and L’Arche International to promote L’Arche and support other communities, attending national meeting, regional councils, and other events.

KANSAS STATE REQUIREMENTS

(As outlined in Kansas Article 63- Developmental Disabilities-Licensing Providers of Community Services)

30-63-12. Licensing procedure; requirements; duration of license and understanding of the HCBS “Final Rule”

Certifications that the applicant’s chief director of services, regardless of title, is qualified to develop and modify, if appropriate, a program of individualized services to be provided to persons as defined in K.A.R. 30-63-1, as evidenced by that individual having either of the following:

(A)A bachelor’s degree or higher in Human Services field

OR

(B) Equivalent work experience calculated at 1040 hours of work experience for each semester of higher education. You must submit your resume, transcripts/degree programs, and contact information for your work experiences.

(2) certification that the applicant’s chief director or services, regardless of title, is qualified to supervise the delivery of program of services to persons, as evidenced by having one of the following:

(A) One-year Senior Management position with Licensed provider; or two (2) years’ experience as a case manager or services manager who supervised at least two (2) people whodelivered direct services; or five (5) years’ experience providing direct services to people with development disabilities.

(B) at least two years of experience as either a case manager or a services manager with supervisory authority over at least two other individuals providing direct services to persons: or

(C) at least five years of experience delivering direct care services to persons. 

If you are selected for an interview, these are further qualifications needed. 

• Three (3) reference letters (regarding you as an individual and your work experience) 
• Four (4) background checks completed (KBI, APS, CPS and KDHE) with no prohibited findings. 
• Applicant must demonstrate a full understanding of L’Arche Heartland’s Policies and Procedures. 

REPORTS TO: L’Arche Heartland’s Board of Directors

STRONGLY DESIRED QUALITIES 

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational management experience, as well as proven fund-raising abilities with individuals and foundations 
• Leads, manages and collaborates with people at all levels, and in the spirit of L’Arche’s six principles of leadership: servant leadership, subsidiarity, accountability, partnership, involvement and solidarity 
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, especially populations that struggle with discrimination and exclusion 
• Inspires trust, manages stress well, and makes clear transparent decisions 
• Experience with program management and state government regulations related to persons with intellectual disabilities preferred 
• Person of faith and hope, courage and integrity, with a discerning spirit 
• Clear, effective communicator and attentive listener 
• Committed to good self-care and a healthy work/ home life balance 
• Humble and able to recognize a need for others; willing to ask for help 
• Proficient computer skills for managing finances and professional communications 
• Knowledge of L’Arche history, as well as L’Arche professional, community, and spiritual life 
• Relationships with local funders preferred 
• Prior experience working with a Board of Directors or Advisory Board preferred 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to ja***@la******.org.