Behavioral Health Program Director

Aspiranet; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Aspiranet is seeking a compassionate and skilled Behavioral Health Program Director for our Santa Cruz, CA operations. This role oversees operational, fiscal, and clinical aspects of the Residential program, reporting to the Associate Division Director.

The candidate will lead a multidisciplinary team and ensure program quality and compliance with standards. The position is full-time, exempt, with a salary range of $140,000–$150,000 per year and a $5,000 sign-on bonus.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in a mental health field required; LCSW or LMFT credential strongly preferred.
• Experience in trauma-informed care and behavioral health needed.
• Experience supervising staff and managing programs in residential settings is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a multidisciplinary team to support daily program operations.
• Manage the program within budget and assist in budget development.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission safety standards and agency policies.
• Lead program meetings, communicate with staff, and report to leadership.
• Develop local annual program strategic plan and budget; monitor outcomes.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff; provide ongoing supervision.

Education

Master’s Degree in a mental health field and LCSW or LMFT

Job description

Brief Description

Behavioral Health Program Director

Santa Cruz, CA

Location

Santa Cruz, CA

Schedule

Full-Time | Exempt

Department

Residential

Reports To

Associate Division Director

Pay Range

$140,000-$150,000/Annually

Bonus

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus

Shifts Available

Monday-Friday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM

The pay range for this position is $140,000-$150,000 per year for employees hired in the Santa Cruz, CA area. The pay range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate for candidates hired within the bay area region. Candidates hired in other California locations may have different starting salaries based on cost of living and market data variations. Factors that may be used to determine your actual starting salary include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and internal comparisons to other employees in similar roles.

Make a Meaningful Impact

Aspiranet, one of California’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families, is seeking a compassionate and skilled Support Counselors to join our team in Santa Cruz, CA.

About Aspiranet

Founded in 1975, Aspiranet is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide a continuum of care across California through six service divisions: Foster and Adoption, Transitional Aged Youth, Residential, Intensive Home-Based Services, Behavioral Health, and Family and Community. Every role at Aspiranet contributes to something greater: building a future where every child is loved, every family supported, and every individual equipped to succeed.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Associate Division Director, the PD II maintains operational, fiscal and programmatic oversight of one or more identified core programs including administrative oversight of staff, schedules, program clinical quality outcomes and acts as a culture carrier to support program initiatives.) The PD II will work with executive leadership, staff, community agencies, and other entities to provide quality services and ensure ongoing effectiveness of the program(s).

Responsibilities & Duties

• Supervise and manage a multidisciplinary team to support the day-to-day functions of the program in accordance with Aspiranet policy and procedures in addition to State Regulations.
• Manages the program within distributed budgetary parameters and collaborates in the development of a fiscal budget.
• Support localized maintenance of operational Joint Commission safety standards.
• Maintain structured communication and support to all local staff on pooled operational matters.
• Serve as the Agency’s lead representative at program-specific meetings and events and keep the Program Directors informed.
• Develop local annual core program strategic plan and budget.
• Manage core program to operational, budgetary and practice standards.
• Manage adherence to Joint Commission and agency practice and policy standards.
• Manage the implementation of the agency’s Best Practice and Quality Assurance efforts including compliance to data tracking systems and program specific outcome measurements..
• Operate programs within budgetary guidelines, completing all required financial reporting and data accurately and on time.
• Recruit, hire, orient, train, supervise and develop direct reports per agency guidelines.
• Conduct timely performance evaluations and participate in employee performance management, up to and including termination.
• Advocate for and secure necessary supports for quality implementation of services including written procedures/manuals, training and consultation.
• Complete administrative paperwork (time sheets, mileage, time off requests, phone bills & other expense reimbursements, weekly recap, weekly schedule, etc.) on time.
• Support and model Aspiranet’s values, represent the agency in a professional manner, and abide by the agency’s Professional Code of Ethics. Perform additional duties as assigned
• Provide back-up on-call and crisis support.
• Maintain client and case confidentiality per federal, state, licensing, agency, funder, requirements.
• Conduct and ensure the documentation of regular staff meetings.
• Manage reporting, complaints and grievance procedures in cooperation with agency licensing entities and funders.
• Participate in relevant community-based decision making and advocacy groups.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences.
• Liaison with community, funders, and regulatory bodies.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in a mental health field and LCSW or LMFT
• Possession of a current California Registered Nurse (RN) license is preferred but not required.
• Three years’ management experience in Behavioral Health.
• Meets all state required conditions of employment as set forth by Community Care Licensing for a Licensed Community Care facility; i.e. Fingerprint and child Abuse Index clearance, TB/Health Physical, valid CDL and clean driving record.
• Meets all compliance requirements of federal, state, and county regulations by periodic sanction checks
• Previous work in residential, STRTP, or community-based youth programs.
• Training in trauma-informed care, behavioral interventions, or family engagement strategies.
• Experience providing direct support or counseling to children and adolescents.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This position operates within a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) clinical & residential environment in Santa Cruz, CA.
• Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Why Aspiranet?

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Access to the free Aspiranet Employee Perks Program. Enjoy exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, wellness, pet care, gym memberships, theme parks, and more
• Flexible paid time off including 13 paid holidays, 10 vacation days, 10 sick leave days, two diversity days, and paid birthday time off.
• Access to our employee assistance program including 24/7 crisis line; up to 6 counseling sessions per issue.
• Training opportunities are available to support your ongoing development and career aspirations.
• Collaborate in a supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.
• Opportunity to lead meaningful initiatives that support employee wellbeing.
• Communication
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, community partners, co-workers, supervisors, and youths.
• Prepares clear and concise written reports and summaries.
• Must be able to comprehend, follow, and clearly convey instructions to others.
• Must be computer proficient (hardware and software) and be able to work on a computer for up to 40 hours per week.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole. Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

Aspiranet may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the recruitment process, including application screening, candidate communications, and interview scheduling. AI tools assist our hiring team but do not make employment decisions. All hiring decisions are made by Aspiranet staff based on job-related qualifications, experience, and organizational needs. Questions about the use of your information may be directed to Human Resources.