ABOUT SLEA:
SLEA Therapies is a 100% employee-owned organization that is comprised of valued interdisciplinary professionals dedicated to creating brighter futures for our clients and their families. Here at SLEA providing a warm, supportive environment is at the heart of everything we do; and we strive to be a preferred employer through upholding core values of quality services, teamwork, flexibility, transparency, and having fun!
That's why you will see we are verified by Top Workplaces! Our Employee feedback has earned 2025 awards for: Work-Life Balance, Employee Appreciation, Professional Development, Innovation, Leading with Purpose and Values and more! We love what we do, and are looking for compassionate, life-long learners to join our team!
SLEA also puts transparency and trust in the hands of every employee. We operate by the Great Game of Business Principles and lead with financial transparency so all employees are informed on company health, goals, strategic roadmaps, and more. We believe that with transparency, every employee understands their individual value, the "why" in our approach, and has the opportunity to contribute ideas so we can make decisions together.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Director of School Programs provides operational leadership and oversight of Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy services across school-based settings, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and efficient service delivery. This role leads School Program staff in executing approved strategies; oversees training, performance management, and daily operations; monitors program performance and productivity; and escalates risks and recommendations to senior leadership as appropriate. In addition to leadership responsibilities, the Director maintains a limited clinical caseload (approximately 15 billable hours per week). The Director leads in alignment with SLEA Core Values, actively upholds and promotes SLEA culture at all times, and fosters a collaborative, accountable, and client-centered environment.
SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
Director must demonstrate the following: ability to communicate with colleagues and other professionals, school administrative staff, clients, and families; strong written and verbal communication skills; attention to detail; excellent organizational skills; ability to work collaboratively while remaining professional; efficient time management skills; and strong conflict resolution skills. This position requires complex problem solving and strong organization skills to successfully manage the programs, accomplish strategic goals and objectives, and secure both internal and external growth. Director must have experience working with various data systems, including Electronic Medical Records and other documentation systems, the ability to learn and apply new skills for online systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other forms of computer technology.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Director must hold a valid California state license in Speech Language Pathology, as well as ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence. They must possess knowledge of speech and language assessment instruments, testing procedures, interpretation of standardized test results and the use of additional informal assessment strategies. Director must have a minimum of 5 years of experience working as an SLP in a school setting, ideally across multiple school districts, and a minimum of 2 years of supervisory or program leadership experience. Master’s degree is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms. The employee is periodically required to bend, stoop, reach, kneel, crouch, or crawl, lift and/or carry up to 15 pounds; climb a step stool to reach above head. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Leadership and Strategy
- Execute School Program strategies established by the Sr. Director and executive leadership across school sites aligned with SLEA’s goals, mission, and values.
- Serve as the School Program subject-matter expert for school-based service delivery models.
- Maintain current knowledge of best practices, education code, school policies, and field-specific compliance requirements through ongoing professional development.
- Implement initiatives that enhance departmental quality and performance to position the organization as an industry leader.
- Identify and communicate operational risks, capacity constraints, and growth opportunities to recommend solutions and staffing needs to the Sr. Director.
- Collaborate with Speech Program Directors to achieve program vision and strategic objectives.
- Collaborate with teachers, directors, school team members, and SLEA team members or professionals to create a multidisciplinary approach.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement among professional staff.
Hiring and Professional Development
- Collaborate with HR and Sr. Director on workforce planning, retention, and succession strategies.
- Drive the full recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention cycle for school-based staff, including delivering program-specific onboarding training.
- Maintain ongoing communication with new and current providers to ensure they receive appropriate support and resources.
- Propose staff increases and/or status changes in a manner that considers all aspects of the staff’s performance, including 360° review processes and budgeting requirements, while upholding SLEA’s culture and core values.
- Plan and coordinate staff training on clinical practice, education code, school policies, safety, and other compliance-related topics relevant to the school setting.
- Ensure employees receive appropriate ongoing clinical trainings based on department needs and record proof of training.
Program Operations
- Oversee day-to-day operations for school-based Speech and OT clinical providers across all school sites.
- Supervise the Speech School Program Coordinator, ensuring responsibilities are clearly defined and regular check-ins are conducted.
- Oversee staff scheduling across the school program, identifying high-priority coverage needs and opportunities including school breaks, vacancies, and leaves.
- Develop and communicate schedules for new and existing providers, and collaborate with Speech Program Directors and OT leadership to coordinate school and office day assignments.
- Manage time-off requests for school-based providers and support payroll audits through timely review and follow-up with providers.
- Immediately address complaints amongst staff or school liaisons regarding operations-related issues; is highly skilled in conflict resolution techniques and effectively builds cohesion amongst Clients, providers, and Speech and OT program leadership as well as with Community Partnerships.
- Manage therapy and assessment inventory and serve as the liaison between the schools and staff to ensure appropriate materials are readily available.
- Plan, organize, and execute Staff Meetings in collaboration with Speech Program Directors and OT leadership.
- Maintain quality oversight of speech services across school sites, including provider observation, service delivery review, and coaching as needed.
- Create and revise policies, procedures, manuals, and staff support visuals; submit all creations to the Sr. Director for final approval before distribution.
- Apply complex problem solving, on-going communication and strong organization skills to successfully accomplish Speech Program clinical and strategic development.
- Ensure productivity requirements for school programs are met through organized planning, communication, skills building, providing employee support and resources.
- Report trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in the school program to Sr. Director.
Performance Management & Compliance
- Track, monitor, and report assigned KPIs to Sr. Director to evaluate clinical, quality, and financial performance.
- Ensure adherence to clinical best practices, documentation standards, and compliance with school requirements for school program providers.
- Assign and monitor supervisors for SLPAs, CFs, students, and interns needing a school-based practicum; ensure licensure and supervision compliance at school sites.
- Coordinate annual distribution and execution of district contracts.
- In collaboration with Speech Program Directors and OT leadership, complete annual provider placement, matching providers to districts based on district needs and provider preferences.
- Maintain oversight of provider credentialing, certificates, background clearances, and licensure for all new and existing school providers.
- Ensure school districts receive accurate and timely data to support district audits and compliance requirements.
- Ensure provider rest and meal breaks are accurately recorded in accordance with labor compliance requirements.
- Maintain working knowledge of each district’s procedural requirements, documentation expectations, and operational preferences, ensuring providers are informed and services align with each district’s specific standards.
- Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and in collaboration with HR, corrective action plans in a timely manner.
Financial Oversight
- Successfully manage School Program budgets within parameters set by the Sr. Director.
- Monitor productivity and utilization to support financial sustainability.
- Provide financial data, projections, and variance explanations to the Sr. Director.
- Identify and report on opportunities for revenue growth and expense reduction.
- Implement corrective actions when financial targets are not met.
Client Caseload
- Maintains an average of 15 billable hours per week.
- Conducts assessments and IEPs as needed for clients during more flexible days.
- Observes clients as needed for supervisory purposes to maintain quality of care and advises staff as needed on the intervention plan.
- Maintains accurate and timely documentation in accordance with district and compliance requirements, including session notes, progress reports, and IEP goal tracking.
Work Schedule
This position entails being present in the office or at a worksite for three days each week. Two days per week may be designated as a remote workday depending on the needs of the program, during which tasks and responsibilities should be managed effectively. Any accommodation needed, such as remote work or schedule adjustments, require advance notice and approval of supervisors.
EEO:
SLEA Therapies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
We are looking for team members who this resonates with, and who want to grow with SLEA as we strive to always learn, and improve.
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https://www.sleatherapies.com/
Pay: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Have you worked in multiple school settings? Please describe your experience as an SLP working within the school setting:
Experience:
- School Placement: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- CA based SLP-CCC license (Required)
Work Location: Remote