Program Director

Under the direct supervision of the Facility Director, the Program Director oversees the coordination of all aspects the program including planning curriculum, administration of facility operations processes, leading the facility’s team in the implementation of change management with clear and results-driven service modules, along with guiding the program objectives while assuring that the facility meets and exceeds standards of relevant regulatory and accrediting boards.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Oversight

• Provides strategic leadership for the MHRC program, ensuring compliance with DHCS regulations and organizational standards.


• Develops, implements, and evaluates program services to promote high-quality patient care.


• Monitors program budget, staffing, and resources to ensure operational efficiency.


• Ensures all program policies and procedures comply with state and federal regulations.

• Plans the delivery of the overall program and its activities in accordance with the mission and the goals of the organization.


• Develops and implements long-term goals and objectives to achieve successful outcomes of the program.


• Holds responsibility for program process improvements; regulates and follows through on QA improvement policies.

Clinical & Patient Care Management

• Supervises clinical staff, including Mental Health Workers, RAS-certified clinicians, and service coordinators.


• Oversees treatment planning, therapeutic group sessions, and individualized patient care.


• Facilitates interdisciplinary team meetings and case reviews to monitor patient progress.


• Ensures timely and accurate documentation in accordance with DHCS and program standards.


• Actively participates in multidisciplinary discharge planning meetings, coordinates aftercare referrals, ensures continuity of care, and supports clients in transition by working collaboratively with clinicians, service coordinators, and external partners.

Staff Development & Supervision

• Recruits, trains, and mentors program staff to maintain competency and adherence to best practices.


• Conducts staff evaluations and provides ongoing professional development and feedback.

• Creates evaluation/performance metrics framework to assess program strengths and areas for improvement.


• Develops and maintains a plan of supervision for clinical staff in accordance with DHCS requirements.


• Collaborate with executive management and subordinate staff to ensure effective and efficient program delivery.

Program Administration

• Assists in managing daily program operations, including coordinating staffing and patient care activities.


• Monitors program census, staffing levels, and service delivery to ensure quality care.


• Implement policies and procedures to ensure smooth and compliant program operations.


• Facilitates scheduling and resource allocation for program needs.

• Oversee the collection and maintenance of client and staff records according to the confidentiality policy of the organization.


• Ensures that all staff receive orientation and appropriate in-service education in accordance with organizational standards as well as regulatory board standards.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Implement quality assurance processes to support continuous program improvement.


• Monitors compliance with all licensing, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.


• Investigates and resolves programmatic or patient-related issues according to established policies.

• Coordinates a performance management process for all staff to ensure training and certifications are up to date.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serves as primary contact for external stakeholders, including DHCS, referring agencies, and community partners.

• Communicates with clients and other stakeholders to gain community support for the program and solicits input to improve the program.


• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• 4-5 years of relevant work experience of which 2 years post-licensure experience in a community program serving clients who have mental illness.


• Ability to provide clinical supervision to pre-licensed interns as per California Board of Behavioral Sciences guidelines.


• Working knowledge of program development and management.


• Strong knowledge of co-occurring disorders and treatment modalities.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to sit.


• Occasionally required to walk.


• Occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.


• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.


• Occasionally required to talk or hear.


• Occasionally required to bend, lift, or climb


• Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds).


• Finger dexterity required.


• Hand coordination required.


• Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust or focus.