Assistant Program Manager

Socket.dev; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays (including birthday)

12 paid vacation days

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

403(b) retirement plan with up to 6%匹

Health insurance after 30 days

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

McAlister Institute in San Diego seeks an experienced Assistant Manager to support high-quality outpatient treatment for adults with substance use disorders. This leadership role blends direct client care with program oversight, maintaining an active caseload and ensuring clinical documentation.

You will help develop treatment plans, deliver counseling, coordinate staff, and uphold DHCS standards while promoting recovery and community impact.

Qualifications

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or actively pursuing certification in compliance with DHCS requirements.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, or related human services field.
• Bachelor's degree, preferred.
• Ability to meet varied treatment and recovery needs in a multi-cultural environment with evidence-based practices.
• Experience working with Probation, Child Welfare Services, Dependency Drug Court, or criminal justice system partners.
• Supervisory experience and program leadership preferred.
• Calm, competent demeanor; able to work with a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and computer skills.
• Bilingual proficiency preferred.
• Familiarity with electronic health records.
• Pass pre-employment screenings including background checks and TB test.

Responsibilities

• Uphold and promote the mission, philosophy, values, and direction of McAlister Institute.
• Manage an active client caseload and maintain all required clinical documentation.
• Conduct screenings, assessments, and intakes using ASI, ASAM, PCC, and related instruments.
• Develop and update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients.
• Provide individual counseling, crisis intervention, treatment planning, recovery support, and discharge planning.
• Facilitate educational workshops, process groups, and recovery-focused services.
• Deliver evidence-based, culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
• Assist in overseeing daily program operations and serve as backup to the Program Manager.
• Support staff supervision, scheduling, training, and program coordination.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and supervision activities.
• Collaborate with criminal justice agencies, community partners, referral sources, and client support systems.
• Assist with month-end reporting and other administrative responsibilities.
• Ensure compliance with DHCS AOD Program Certification Standards, Drug Medi-Cal, Title 22, and 42 CFR confidentiality.
• Complete progress notes, client records, billing activities, and data entry.
• Support quality assurance activities, peer reviews, corrective action plans, and reporting requirements.
• Support administrative functions including drug testing, billing, and program documentation.
• Travel between work sites, client locations, and other destinations.
• Maintain a clean, safe, welcoming, and professional treatment environment.
• Attend required meetings and trainings; maintain required certifications.
• Promote wellness, self-care, and professional conduct aligned with organizational values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

CADC certification

Behavioral health experience

Supervisory experience

Bilingual preferred

Documentation skills

Electronic health records

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Description

Join McAlister Institute, a 49-year beacon in San Diego's Recovery Community.

McAlister Institute is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Assistant Manager to support the delivery of high-quality substance use disorder treatment and recovery services at one of our adult outpatient programs. This leadership role combines direct client care with program oversight responsibilities, helping ensure effective, evidence-based services for adults, including individuals with co-occurring disorders and those involved in the criminal justice system.

The Assistant Manager serves as a key member of the treatment team and acts as the Program Manager's designee when needed. This is an excellent opportunity for a behavioral health professional who is passionate about recovery, leadership, and community impact. They are responsible for maintaining an active client caseload while assisting with the day-to-day operations of an adult outpatient treatment program.

Benefits for YOU

• 13 paid annual holidays, including your birthday; 12 paid vacation days, paid sick leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• 403(b) Retirement Plan + up to 6% Employer Match
• Health Insurance available the first of the month following 30 days of employment (Sharp)
• EAP

Key Responsibilities

• Uphold and promote the mission, philosophy, values, and direction of McAlister Institute.
• Manage an active client caseload and maintain all required clinical documentation.
• Conduct screenings, assessments, and intakes utilizing tools such as ASI, ASAM, PCC, and related instruments.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients.
• Provide individual counseling, crisis intervention, treatment planning, recovery support, and discharge planning.
• Facilitate educational workshops, process groups, and recovery-focused services.
• Deliver evidence-based, culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
• Assist in overseeing daily program operations and serve as backup to the Program Manager.
• Support staff supervision, scheduling, training, and program coordination.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and supervision activities.
• Collaborate with criminal justice agencies, community partners, referral sources, and client support systems.
• Assist with month-end reporting and other administrative responsibilities.
• Ensure compliance with DHCS AOD Program Certification Standards, Drug Medi-Cal requirements, Title 22 regulations, and 42 CFR confidentiality standards.
• Complete timely progress notes, client records, billing activities, and data entry.
• Support quality assurance activities, peer reviews, corrective action plans, and reporting requirements.
• Support administrative functions including drug testing, billing, and program documentation.
• Regular travel between Company work sites, client locations, and other business-related destinations.
• Maintain a clean, safe, welcoming, and professional treatment environment.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, and maintain all required certifications.
• Promote wellness, self-care, and professional conduct aligned with organizational values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or registered and actively pursuing certification in compliance with DHCS requirements.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, or related human services field.
• Bachelor's degree, preferred.
• Ability to meet the varied treatment and recovery needs of individuals in a multi-cultural environment with a strong understanding of evidence-based practices.
• Experience working with Probation, Child Welfare Services, Dependency Drug Court, or other criminal justice system partners.
• Supervisory experience and program leadership, preferred.
• Exudes a calm and competent manner, able to converse with a multidisciplinary team effectively.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and computer skills.
• Bilingual proficiency preferred.
• Familiarity with electronic health records.
• Ability to pass all pre-employment screenings, including references, a criminal background check with at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a TB test.
• On-site location.
• Must be able to travel independently and reliably to fulfill the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to meet all agency and contract requirements related to training, certifications, public health, and reporting standards.

Equal Opportunity Employer

McAlister Institute is committed to creating a diverse environment and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, any other non-job-related factors, and other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment.

Reasonable Accommodations

McAlister Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the [e-mail]., for more information. Please include your name and position you are applying for.

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. McAlister Institute does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from McAlister Institute employment as we are subject to County of San Diego contractual hiring requirements). A pre-employment physical examination, and post-offer background check is required. Candidates must have at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.

General Information & Considerations

Placement on the pay range is based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant years of experience and qualifications.

Current McAlister Institute employees may receive priority consideration for positions when they meet essential qualifications.