Behavioral Health Program Director

Akua Mind Body; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance: Medical, Vision &amp

Paid Time Off: Sick & Vacation

Equity Shares

Job summary

Akua Behavioral Health in California is seeking a Program Director to lead a residential treatment program, ensuring daily operations, staff accountability, and regulatory compliance. You will oversee staffing, scheduling, and training while maintaining licensing standards and high-quality care.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and 3+ years in mental health with leadership experience. Competitive compensation includes base salary, performance bonus, health insurance, and equity shares.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related field with 24 semester units in specified subjects.
• 2 years of full-time mental health program experience, including 1 year supervising direct care staff.
• Or 4 years direct service experience in a mental disability program with 1 year supervision.

Responsibilities

• Train and monitor staff performance to ensure daily responsibilities are met.
• Manage staffing guidelines and ensure full shift coverage and accurate timekeeping.
• Ensure compliance with policies, licensing, and credentialing standards.
• Oversee hiring, interviewing within guidelines, and HR disciplinary actions.
• Communicate and resolve client issues or crises promptly.
• Monitor program metrics and manage costs according to budget.

Skills

Staffing & Scheduling

Training & Accountability

Compliance

Employee Management

Leadership

Cost Management

HR Policy Adherence

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or related field

4+ years direct service in mental health (optional alternative)

Tools

CA Driver's License

CPR/First Aid

Job description

• Performance Bonus: Up to $26k per year ($500/week based on census, earned weekly, paid monthly)
  
• Paid Time Off: Sick & Vacation
• Equity Shares
  

Position:

Program Director

Type:

Salary, Full-Time, Exempt

Compensation:

Up to $126k per year

• Base Salary: $90k-$100k per year
• Performance Bonus: Up to $26k per year ($500/week based on census, earned weekly, paid monthly)
  

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, Vision & Dental
• Paid Time Off: Sick & Vacation
• Equity Shares
  

Key Responsibilities

• Training & Accountability: The Program Director ensures that all program staff are carrying out their daily functions and responsibilities through continuous monitoring, training, and accountability.
• Staffing & Scheduling: The Program Director is responsible for ensuring that the program operates within its Staffing Guidelines and maintains adequate coverage on every shift, at all times (incl. Timekeeping).
• Compliance: The Program Director ensures strict adherence to Akua’s policies, regulatory standards, and licensing requirements, , ensuring their program remains fully licensed, credentialed, accredited, and in good standing.
• Employee Management: The Program Director actively participates in hiring, interviewing candidates within staffing guidelines, and oversees disciplinary actions and terminations, ensuring compliance with HR policies.
• Emergency Management: The Program Director is responsible for promptly communicating and resolving any client issues/crisis.
• Performance and Cost Management: The Program Director monitors key program metrics to drive performance improvements and ensures cost control by adhering to budgetary guidelines, including staffing, scheduling, and operational expenses.
  

Requirements

The Program Director of a certified Residential Treatment Program shall have the following Qualifications prior to employment:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work or any other major which includes at least 24 semester college units in one or more of the following subject areas: (A) Psychology, (B) Social Work, (C) Sociology, (D) Behavioral sciences (E) Psychiatric Nursing; and:
• Two (2) years of full-time work experience in a community program that serves clients who have a mental illness. Such experience must be in the direct provision of services to clients, of which one (1) year must be in the position of supervising direct care staff, or
• As an alternative to the Bachelor Degree and experience, a total of four (4) years of experience in a community program providing direct services to persons with mental disabilities, of which one (1) year must be in the position of supervising direct care staff, and graduation from high school of possession of a GED may be substituted.
  

Qualifications

• License/Credentials: LADC OR +, SUDCC-CS II OR +, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or functional equivalent / appropriate license or certification (preferred).
• Education: Bachelor's Degree (required) or master's degree (preferred) in a relevant field (e.g. Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Psychology)
• Experience: 3+ years of mental health experience and 1+ year(s) of management experience (required)
• Additional: Valid CA Driver's License, Current Health Screen / Physical, TB Test Clearance, Current CPR/First Aid certificate, Able to Pass Live Scan (required)
  

Key Qualities

• Blend of clinical expertise and business administration skills
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability
• Compassion for clients and employees in all interactions
• Emotional stability under pressure
• Exceptional leadership skills and execution capabilities
  

Company Description

Akua Behavioral Health is California's leading mental health and substance abuse treatment center. We provide our clients with individualized, compassionate treatment from Master's and Doctorate level clinicians across various levels of care at fully licensed and accredited facilities throughout Northern and Southern California. To give our clients the best chance at lasting recovery, we pioneered an integrative East-meets-West approach that combines Western evidence-based treatment with holistic Eastern traditions to treat the mind, body, and spirit. Our mission is to create an environment of healing and transformation for each client seeking change.