Cedar Valley Hospice is the premier hospice agency serving 15 counties with offices in Waterloo, Grundy Center, Independence, and Waverly. At Cedar Valley Hospice you will work with the best team of clinicians, administrative staff and managers, utilizing highly regarded practices to provide optimum customer service to our patients and their families. As a not-for-profit organization, we believe “compassionate care” is not just a phrase spoken, but rather a way of living and working every day to help support clients and their families. Our mission exemplifies the organizations focus on providing the best care possible for clients at home or wherever they reside.

Job Summary

The Director of Community Services provides leadership, direction, and oversight for Cedar Valley Hospice’s community-based programs, including grief support services and specialized supportive care programs such as Cass, Link, and Guide. This role ensures programs are delivered with compassion, consistency, and alignment with the mission of Cedar Valley Hospice while meeting community needs and regulatory requirements where applicable.

Working in collaboration with the Chief Clinical Officer and other organizational leaders, the Director of Community Services is responsible for program development, operational oversight, community partnerships, and ensuring high-quality supportive services for individuals and families served by these programs.

The Director promotes innovation, community engagement, and service expansion to enhance the reach and impact of Cedar Valley Hospice’s mission beyond traditional hospice care.

Overview

Job Title: Director of Community Services

Location: Waterloo, Iowa

Position Type: Full time (1.0 FTE), exempt

Reports to: Chief Clinical Officer

Benefits: Cedar Valley Hospice provides an excellent benefit package including: a family friendly work environment, generous paid time off, and quality benefit options including a 401k plan. Public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, healthcare administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in healthcare, nonprofit, counseling, social services, or community-based program leadership.
• Experience with grief services, hospice, palliative care, or behavioral health strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing programs or community services.
• Knowledge of community resources, care coordination, and family support services.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

Skills & Competencies

• Mission-driven leadership and compassion for individuals experiencing grief and serious illness.
• Strong program development and operational management abilities.
• Excellent communication and community partnership skills. 
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and community-based staff. 
• Strategic thinking with the ability to grow and sustain community programs. 
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
• Ability to balance program innovation with operational accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Oversight

• Provides leadership and operational oversight for Cedar Valley Hospice community programs including Grief Support Services, Cass, Link, Guide, and other supportive care initiatives.
• Supervises program team leads who are responsible for oversight and delivery of these services.
• Ensures programs operate effectively, compassionately, and in alignment with organizational mission and standards.
• Develops program goals, strategies, and performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness and community impact.
• Identifies opportunities to expand or enhance services to better meet community needs.

Community-Based Program Development

• Provides strategic leadership for programs such as Grief Services, Cass, Link, and Guide, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and community needs.
• Evaluates program performance, sustainability, and impact through data and feedback.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation and program growth that expand Cedar Valley Hospice’s role in community support and serious illness care.
• Works collaboratively with leadership to secure resources and support for program sustainability.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Provides supervision, mentorship, and professional development support to team leads and staff.
• Fosters a collaborative, supportive work environment that reflects the organization’s mission and values.
• Ensures staff are appropriately trained and supported to work within their respected programs.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Develops and maintains relationships with community partners including healthcare providers, schools, churches, nonprofits, and social service organizations.
• Represents Cedar Valley Hospice in community meetings, partnerships, and educational opportunities.
• Supports outreach and education efforts related to grief, serious illness support, and community resources.

Quality & Program Accountability

• Works with the Director of Quality, Education and Compliance to ensure applicable regulatory or organizational standards are met.
• Establishes outcome measures and reporting processes to monitor program success and improvement opportunities.
• Participates in organizational planning and quality initiatives to strengthen service delivery.

Organizational Collaboration

• Collaborates with the Chief Clinical Officer and other leaders to align community programs with the broader mission and clinical services of Cedar Valley Hospice.
• Supports integration between hospice clinical teams and community-based programs to ensure continuity of support for patients and families.
• Participates in strategic planning and organizational initiatives related to service growth and community impact.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Work Environment: Primarily office based with regular engagement in community settings to support staff, observe program delivery, and strengthen community partnerships. Environments may include schools, community centers, healthcare facilities, partner organizations, and event locations. May be exposed to emotionally sensitive situations including grief, loss, and serious illness.
• Physical Demands: Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the workday for extended periods of time. Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, program documentation, reporting, and use of office and mobile technology. Ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry materials such as program supplies, event materials, laptops, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Mobility & Community Site Access: Ability to walk short to moderate distances within office locations, community sites, and partner organizations. Must be able to navigate stairs, uneven surfaces, and varying environments when attending events or supporting programs in the field. Local travel by car is required; occasional regional and overnight travel may be necessary for meetings, conferences, or community engagement opportunities.
• Sensory & Communication Requirements: Sufficient visual, auditory, and verbal abilities to review program data, reports, and documentation; facilitate meetings, support groups, and educational sessions; and communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, community partners, and individuals and families receiving services.
• Pre-employment/post-offer physical, TB, and drug screen required.

If you are ready to make a positive difference in the lives of families and work passionately for an award-winning employer, apply today! Interested applicants should apply online at www.cvhospice.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Cedar Valley Hospice is an equal opportunity employer. Cedar Valley Hospice prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.