Area Director - Metro North Area Office

The Northeast Region of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a person with excellent organizational and management skills to head the Metro North Area Office leadership team in an active, challenging, and rewarding environment in Wakefield, MA. The Area Director fulfills a critical role in the Area Office as the highest DDS management position at the local level.

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

• Manages a 84 million dollar allocation which is directed to the procurement, development and delivery of a comprehensive array of residential, day, clinical, family and support services for approximately 2000 individuals and their families
• Determines the priority of need for available services within the limits of available resources, including individuals eligible for the Federal Home and Community Based Services Waiver and for maximizing waiver revenue by appropriately matching waiver-eligible individuals with needed services
• Supervises management team, which could include the Assistant Area Director, Clinical Director, Service Coordinator Supervisors, Program Monitor, Program Coordinator, Health Care Coordinator and BCBA. Also, indirectly supervises additional twenty plus area office staff
• Ensures labor contract compliance and meeting the ongoing training and development needs of a diverse labor force
• Provides leadership in the implementation and oversight of the Department's Risk and Incident Management Systems.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills to deal respectfully and professionally with a diverse group of citizens and public officials, ensuring compliance to rules and regulations.
• Provides ongoing direction and leadership of the Citizen Advisory Board
• Provides emergency on-call response during off hours as part of the management team which could include emergency calls involving individuals in psychiatric, medical and forensic crisis
• Contributes to the overall performance of the Region and to statewide leadership initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Skilled in managing, directing and motivating people.
• Strong interpersonal written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability and technical knowledge in planning, coordinating and prioritizing for optimal performance.
• Ability to evaluate, monitor and set standards for accomplishment.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills.
• Ability to resolve/mediate conflicts.

Schedule:

Day shift, 8:00 – 4:30, Monday-Friday, with Saturday and Sunday off.

Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the Area Office; there may be occasional night and weekend meetings with individuals, guardians, families and other agencies.

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:

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:

Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check.

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) six (6) 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 two (2) years must have been in a 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 : Administrator VIII

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Wakefield -200 Harvard Mill Sq

Job : Administrative Services

Agency : Department of Developmental Services

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Apr 16, 2026, 12:29:34 PM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 109,765.96 - 169,628.22 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Christina Hyppolite/[email protected] - 8572835830

Bargaining Unit : M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No