Community Rehabilitation Services, Inc. 

Job Description 

Community Rehabilitation Services, (CRS) an independent living center in East/ North East area of Los Angeles is seeking a passionate executive director who views the philosophy of independent living as an empowerment model for people with disabilities. Independent living Centers (ILCs) are designed to empower people with all types of disabilities to obtain services they need, learn how to advocate for themselves, change systems that discriminate or act against the best interests of persons with disabilities and to allow people to fully participate in the activities of our society. Centers are run-by-people with disabilities for people with disabilities. Founded in 1979, CRS currently provides the following services: Information and Referral, Peer Counseling, Individual and Systems’ Advocacy, Housing, Personal Assistance, Assistive Technology and Independent Living Skills Training, Deaf Services, Job Club, and Computer classes. 

Job Summary 

The Executive Director is responsible for all financial, programs, operational, administrative and legal aspects of the daily organizational management of CRS, which includes but is not limited to annual fund development, public relations and marketing, management of all fiscal resources, evaluating center programs and supervision of established program staff who implement advocacy and system change activities.  The Executive Director works under authority granted by the Board of Directors, to implement the Board’s Strategic Plan and ensure program and fiscal accountability. The Executive Director will liaison effectively with national, state, regional and local organizations, and coordinate the contributions of diverse groups of Board of Directors, donors, staff, volunteers and community groups. Essential job duties include but are not limited to:

Organizational Development

1. Works with the Board of Directors to develop the stakeholder base on the national, state, regional and local level for the agency.
2. Oversee and support current program staff and develop short and long term staff development plan.

Financial, Management and Administration

1. Implement the agency’s Board-approved Strategic Plan, and implement other Board and agency plans in a timely way as they relate to the programs, annual grant and fund development, communications, business development.
2. Ensure legal compliance and program and fiscal accountability.
3. Provide the agency with expertise in non-profit management, business and financial analysis.
4. Provide leadership in developing organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and other staff, and carry out plans and policies as authorized by the Board.
5. Promote active and broad participation by partner organizations and volunteers in the agency’s work.
6. Develop, enhance and maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in disabled community, as well as an understanding of shifts in government involvement at the State and Federal levels. 
7. Develop, enhance and maintain a working knowledge of trends in philanthropic giving patterns within the agency’s catchment area. 
8. Maintain fiscal responsibility for the annual budget and report to the Board regularly. 

Program Development and Management 

1. Oversee the current programs of the agency and working with staff, develop programs to achieve goals and objectives of the agency’s grant programs and the strategic plan of the Board of Directors. 
2. Identify and cultivate partner organizations locally, regionally and nationally, as appropriate, for mutual program benefit.
3. Assist the Board by maintaining and promoting the vision and mission of the agency and in achieving goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan.
4. Initiate and assist in recommending and developing policies and setting priorities.

Board Relations and Communications

1. Keep the Board and Board President fully informed on the condition of the agency and other important factors affecting the health of the organization.
2. Involve each Board member at an optimum level. Stimulate each to reach the highest potential as a Board member.
3. Work with the Board President to ensure effective and efficient Board committee structure and operation.
4. Communicate regularly with the President and key committee leaders.
5. Serve as staff liaison to Board committees as appropriate.
6. Assist the President in planning the agenda and materials for the board meetings and board strategic planning retreats.

Public Relations and Communications

1. Serves as chief spokesperson for the Center and acts as liaison with consumer partners and community groups, and may delegate those duties as necessary; represents the Center on various community committees; works in concert with other advocacy organizations to further the Center’s goals and objectives.
2. Takes an active role in local, state and national disability and independent living organizations; educates legislators regarding issues affecting persons with disabilities.
3. Provides direct service to consumer partners of the Center as needed, including information and referral to callers and consumer partners; gives ADA trainings.
4. Establish and strengthen working relationships with partners at the local, regional and national levels in the non-profit corporation industry.
5. Identify and develop new partnerships with business and community leaders.
6. Ensure appropriate representation, as a spokesperson, of the agency goals and objectives to community and corporate groups and other stakeholders.
7. Oversee the development and production of all agency printed materials and publications in accordance with predetermined graphic standards.

Fundraising 

1. Monitor grant opportunities and oversee the submission of grant applications.
2.  
3. Provide leadership in developing fundraising plans with staff and the Board of Directors.
4.  
5. Provide support and work with the Board in raising funds for the agency.
6.  
7. Oversee and support fundraising efforts including capital campaign, special event, major gifts, and corporate and personal individual solicitations 

Preferred Qualifications and Experience 

Education: Applicant should possess a Bachelors Degree in public administration, business management, social service or related field. An individual who has an MBA or related Master’s degree in an appropriate field is highly desired. 

Experience:  The applicant should have five to ten years of demonstrated success as an executive director or associate director, of a non-profit, within the social service arena. In addition, the applicant must have five years experience working with persons with disabilities to promote them living independently. An individual able to speak English and other languages is preferable. CRS seeks an individual who has computer experience using word processing programs and has demonstrated abilities in the following areas:

Visionary Leadership: In this challenging budgetary time we need a someone who has a strong understanding and/or a working knowledge of the Independent Living Centers’ field, government and private funding contracts/grant requirements impacting the financial environment of CRS. Having a financial vision and strong financial knowledge is critical; while saving money is necessary, spending it wisely on the mission of the Center is crucial.

Management Style: We are looking for a collaborative leader who can work with the board, staff, consumers and the community to strengthen CRS’s ability to create a more inclusive and accessible community for persons with disabilities in Los Angeles. It will be important to have a strong and flexible management style that focuses on empowering staff and providing structure where needed.   The executive director must be able to make quick and decisive decisions based on the information at hand and communicate those decisions to staff, consumers and others. The successful candidate must have experience working with boards, including implementing an organization’s strategic plan, educating the board on the progress towards organizational goals and provide direction for board development.

Communication Style and Marketing: The successful candidate must be comfortable speaking and writing in many different arenas. Whether it is speaking to the City Council, the press, a rally of demonstrating consumers, a legislator, staff or a private donor, he/she will be able to clearly articulate the vision and mission of the center, as well as educate and/or advocate for inclusion and access for people with disabilities.  

Compensation 

Compensation negotiable up to $61,000.00 per year D.O.E. Benefits, Sick leave, vacation, holidays and other benefits including reimbursement for work-related travel.  

To Apply 

Deadline to apply is January 6^th. Please email CRSELACIL@gmail.com or Fax 650-386-6945 resume and letter of interest addressing the preferred qualifications for the position of Executive Director, including any personal experiences with disability issues. On a separate piece of paper please submit your specific answers to the following questions: 

1.      Describe your knowledge of and experience with the independent living movement.

2.      Please include your vision for the movement’s future.


3.      Describe your leadership style.
 What was your most difficult leadership decision, and how did you handle it?