Direct Care Manager; Cougar Mountain

Position: Direct Care Manager (Cougar Mountain)

For over 30 years, Gersh Autism has empowered students on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential. Serving individuals aged 5-21 across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, our network of K-12 schools provides personalized education tailored to each student’s unique learning style. We offer comprehensive therapeutic services—speech, physical, occupational therapy, and more—along with vocational training for older students. Our dedicated team collaborates with families to ensure academic, social, and emotional growth, preparing students for success beyond the classroom.

At Gersh Autism, we are committed to helping individuals on the autism spectrum lead fulfilling, independent lives.

Gersh Autism is seeking a Direct Care Manager to join our team! The Direct Care Manageris responsible for providing day-to-day leadership, supervision, and support to Behavior Technicians and Teacher Assistants within the school environment. This role ensures consistent, high-quality behavioral and academic support for students by overseeing staff performance, training, coverage, and collaboration across teams.

This is a hands-on leadership position that works closely with teachers, school administrators, and Human Resources to address staffing needs, support employee development, andmaintaineffective program implementation. The position requires regular travel between both Washington locations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and manage Behavior Technicians(BT, CBT, RBT) and Teacher Assistants
• Conduct classroom observations and provide timely, constructive feedback
• Modelappropriate behavioraland instructional strategies and coach staff in real time
• Address performance concerns and support progressive discipline in collaboration with school leadership and HR
• Serve as a primary point of contact for direct care staff
• Partner with Human Resources on employee relations, performance management, and problem-solving
• Communicate consistently with instructional and administrative teams to ensure alignment and follow-through

Training, Onboarding, and Development

• Lead onboarding and training for new Behavior Technicians (BT, CBT, RBT) and Teaching Assistants
• Ensure staff are trained on approved behavioral strategies, academic support expectations, and appropriate languageuse
• Provide ongoing coaching and professional development to reinforce best practices

Operations and Coverage Management

• Review and process timecards accurately andin accordance with payroll deadlines
• Coordinate daily coverage, reassignments, and staff placements to address absences and staffing gaps
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels to support student and classroom needs

Program and Classroom Support

• Collaborate with teachers and administrators to support classroom structure and student programming
• Assist with the implementation and oversight of targeted programs, including regression support and intervention initiatives
• Ensure classrooms are equipped withappropriateand up-to-date materials and resources

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required(Education, Psychology, Behavioral Science, or a related field preferred)
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a school-based, behavioral health, or special education setting
• Priorsupervision or management experience
• Strong knowledge of behaviorsupportstrategies and classroom-based interventions
• Strong communication skills with the ability to handle sensitive situations professionally
• Sound judgment and ability to consider multiple perspectives before making decisions
• Comfortable providing direct feedback and holding staff accountable
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Willingness and ability to travel between Washington locations
• CPI or similar crisis intervention training, or willingness to obtain

Preferred

• Experience working with students with autism or related developmental needs
• Background in staff training, coaching, or professional development
• Experience with timecard review, scheduling, or staff coverage coordination

Location:

Must be willing to travel between Issaquah, WA and Bellevue, WA locations!

• Monday – Friday
• Occasional before and after school work hours at the discretion of the…