Diversion Counseling Program Lead

Nichols College; Dudley (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Arapahoe County is seeking a Program Lead to guide the Diversion Counseling Program (DCP) and collaborate with youth ages 10 to 17 and their families. The role focuses on intake assessments, case planning, and high‑level program initiatives.

The successful candidate will oversee data collection, reporting, budgeting, and staff training while maintaining strong cross‑agency partnerships to serve clients through complex systems. The 4/10 compressed workweek is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in counseling, couples and family’s therapy, social work or closely related human services field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible counseling duties involving direct service provision with adults, juveniles, and families.
• Any equivalent combination of related work experience and education will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Carries a reduced caseload to focus on providing services for program success.
• Implement high-level program initiatives that adhere to organizational objectives.
• Develop and update policy and procedure to reflect best practices, transparency, efficiencies, and consistency.
• Plan and execute events or activities under the designated areas of leadership.
• Train and support staff in accessing and using programming under the designated programs.
• Create the strategy for collecting and reporting on data and other metrics related to the use and effectiveness of designated programs.
• Assist leadership with budgeting and financial tracking related to designated programs.
• Assist leadership on further program development and special projects related to supporting or expanding The Diversion Counseling Program.
• Schedules, administers and supports committee work related to designated programs.
• May assist with grant writing and management.

Skills

Counseling theories

Assessment & crisis management

Communication skills

Policy development

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in counseling or related field

Job description

and the job listing Expires on September 13, 2026

The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we’re here for our neighbors on their best days—and their worst. We share our residents’ goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we’re proud to call home.

Program Leads in the Diversion Counseling Program (DCP) oversee specific programming for target populations. This Program Lead will work directly with juveniles and their families.

A primary duty of this role will include completing intake assessments for all juvenile cases referred to DCP. As part of the intake process, the Program Lead will meet with youth (ages 10 to 17) and their families to assess appropriateness for DCP and complete the screening and assessments used for case planning.

Additionally, the Program Lead will also provide thorough case management services for juvenile cases that fall into the 3 following categories:

• competency concerns have been raised
• sex offense charges are involved
• families are, or need to be, engaged with multiple systems and agencies that can be complicated to navigate (ex: Department of Human Services, school systems, community mental health agencies, etc.).

The person succeeding in this role is passionate about working with youth and families, confident leading multi-disciplinary teams, knowledgeable and experienced in navigating complex systems, and enjoys creating and maintaining professional relationships to the benefit of their clients.

NOTE: This position follows a 4/10 compressed workweek schedule, with employees working four 10-hour days each week.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Program Lead develops, executes, and leads specific program priorities within the Diversion Counseling Program. This role will optimize productivity and nurture program success from inception to completion.

DUTIES:

• Carries a reduced caseload to focus on providing services for program success.
• Implement high-level program initiatives that adhere to organizational objectives.
• Develop and update policy and procedure to reflect best practices, transparency, efficiencies, and consistency.
• Plan and execute events or activities under the designated areas of leadership.
• Train and support staff in accessing and using programming under the designated programs.
• Create the strategy for collecting and reporting on data and other metrics related to the use and effectiveness of designated programs.
• Assist leadership with budgeting and financial tracking related to designated programs.
• Assist leadership on further program development and special projects related to supporting or expanding The Diversion Counseling Program.
• Schedules, administers and supports committee work related to designated programs.
• May assist with grant writing and management.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Considerable knowledge of: counseling theories, techniques and treatment modalities, assessment and crisis management.
• Experience creating and implementing treatment plans. Ability to coordinate with community agencies/resources, facilitate meetings with outside providers on behalf of the client, understand and explain clinical issues and program components to clients, families and outside agencies, analyze problems, make recommendations for effect solutions, establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, works as a member of a high-functioning, self-directed team.
• Organizational and self-management skills.
• Knowledge of requirements for mental health governing bodies, including but not limited to record retention policies, confidentiality, certification and licensure, and continuing professional requirements. Mental health governing bodies may include examples such as: DORA, EMDRIA, SOMB.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required in counseling, couples and family’s therapy, social work or closely related human services field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible counseling duties involving direct service provision with adults, juveniles, and families.
• Any equivalent combination of related work experience and education will be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Mental Health Licensure

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The majority of work is provided in a standard office environment. Opportunities to provide community service, day and overnight experiential therapy, restorative justice and various other modalities are incorporated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Spends 90% of the time sitting and 10% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

** Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.