Program lead

The Program Lead is responsible for the daily operation, programming, and continued growth of The Hive Day Program’s Palos Heights location.

This position leads the daily member experience by designing engaging, functional programming while creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As the Palos Heights location grows, this position will have opportunities to mentor staff, help expand services, and play an important leadership role within The Hive.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the Daily Program
• Oversee daily operations during program hours.
• Create a structured, organized, and positive environment.
• Ensure every member has opportunities to learn, participate, and succeed.
• Foster an atmosphere built on dignity, respect, and inclusion.

Create Exceptional Programming

This is the heart of the position.

We are looking for someone who enjoys developing creative, meaningful programming that helps adults build independence.

Programming should include areas such as:

• Independent living skills
• Cooking and meal preparation
• Budgeting and money management
• Community safety
• Vocational readiness
• Volunteer opportunities
• Executive functioning
• Health and wellness
• Recreation and leisure
• Social skills
• Communication
• Self-advocacy
• Fitness and movement
• Community outings
• Seasonal events and special projects

Programming should be functional, age-appropriate, engaging, and reflect the interests and goals of our adult members.

Build Community Connections

Develop relationships throughout the Palos Heights community by identifying opportunities for:

• Volunteer experiences
• Vocational partnerships
• Community outings
• Guest speakers
• Recreation opportunities
• Local businesses
• Service organizations

Help Grow The Hive

As Program Lead, you’ll help us continue growing the Palos Heights location by:

• Creating an outstanding member experience.
• Supporting enrollment growth.
• Bringing fresh ideas to programming.
• Helping establish systems and procedures.
• Representing The Hive professionally within the community.

As the program expands, this position will grow into helping onboard, mentor, and supervise additional staff.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Special Education, Therapeutic Recreation, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of two years of experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Experience developing meaningful programming for adults.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership and problem-solving abilities.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred:

• Experience leading a team.
• Experience creating program calendars.
• Knowledge of person-centered planning.
• Community networking experience.
• CPR/First Aid certification.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is:

• Creative and innovative.
• Self-motivated.
• Organized.
• Flexible.
• Compassionate.
• A natural leader.
• Professional.
• Reliable.
• Positive and energetic.
• Passionate about helping adults reach their full potential.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who sees possibilities, not limitations, and believes adults with disabilities deserve opportunities to continue learning, growing, contributing, and living meaningful lives.

Pulled from the full job description Paid time off Flexible schedule

Full job description

The Hive Day Program, NFP

Build something that matters.

The Hive Day Program is not your typical adult day program.

We believe adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve opportunities to continue learning, building relationships, contributing to their communities, and living meaningful lives. Every day, our members are developing life skills, exploring their communities, volunteering, building friendships, learning vocational skills, and discovering new interests.

We’re looking for someone who shares that vision.

This is an opportunity to build and lead a growing program from the ground up. We are searching for someone who is creative, organized, and passionate about developing meaningful experiences for adults, not simply supervising a daily schedule.

If you get excited planning community outings, teaching life skills, creating vocational opportunities, and seeing adults gain confidence and independence, we’d love to meet you., Schedule

• Approximately 12-18 hours per week.
• Current program hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:30 AM-3:15 PM. (Potential for full-time)
• Additional paid planning time would be available if needed.
• Occasional evenings or weekends for community events and special activities (1-2x a quarter)

Why Join The Hive?

At The Hive, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape the future of a growing organization.

Your ideas will matter.

Your creativity will be encouraged.

Your leadership will be valued.

You’ll have the opportunity to build innovative programming, develop meaningful community partnerships, and help create a place where adults with disabilities continue to learn, grow, and thrive.

We’re looking for someone who wants more than a job, we’re looking for someone who wants to build something extraordinary with us.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour, * Flexible schedule

• Paid time off