Manager of Substance Use Services

HELPLINE YOUTH COUNSELING; Whittier (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Helpline Youth Counseling is seeking a Manager of Substance Use Services to lead and grow our prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. You will supervise staff, manage contracts with funders, and ensure compliance with Drub Medi-Cal and SAPC standards across Southeast Los Angeles County.

You will expand services, support grant initiatives like Project TREE, train staff, and represent HYC in community coalitions while maintaining flexible work hours and adherence to regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in the substance use disorder field with prevention, treatment, or recovery experience.
• Knowledge of Los Angeles County systems and SAPC standards.
• Ability to manage multiple contracts, timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Strong planning and organizational skills with deadlines.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program staff performance, supervision, and crisis support.
• Manage contracts and relationships with funders and partners.
• Monitor Drug Medi‑Cal program compliance with standards and policies.
• Plan, implement, evaluate, and expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
• Oversee grant-funded programs including Project TREE and related initiatives.
• coordinate staff training and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Represent HYC in community coalitions and collaborations addressing needs in SE LA County.

Skills

Staff supervision

Crisis management

Grant management

Contract compliance

Leadership

Bilingual English/Spanish

Effective communication

Job description

MANAGER OF SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Helpline Youth Counseling (HYC), a nonprofit agency, has provided youth services in Southeast Los Angeles County since 1971. Its primary purpose is to provide therapeutic counseling and assistance to at-risk, low-income children, youth, and their families.

Mission

The mission of Helpline Youth Counseling (HYC) is to help build individual, family, and community health, well-being, prosperity, and equity. HYC serves clients and community members through trauma-informed, strength-based prevention, early intervention, education, and treatment services.

Position Summary

The Manager of Substance Use Services is responsible for the oversight, program development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of substance use services. The position may also oversee related grant-funded programs, special projects, and agency initiatives, including Project TREE. The position ensures that program operations meets contracts, funder, regulatory, and agency requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the performance and activities of program staff and services, including regular staff supervision, support with crisis-related matters, open communication, and team meetings.
• Manage contracts, certifications, and relationships with funding sources and partners, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the Department of Probation, local school districts, other County departments, and community-based organizations.
• Monitor the agency's Drug Medi-Cal program to ensure compliance with applicable ethical and legal standards, Los Angeles County quality assurance requirements, contracts, funder expectations, and agency policies.
• Plan, implement, evaluate, and support the expansion of current substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
• Oversee assigned grant-funded programs, special projects, and related agency initiatives, including Project TREE, and ensure that required activities, deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements are completed.
• Manage substance use services provided at HYC offices and community-based locations.
• Oversee staff training and cross-training and ensure compliance with agency, government, customer, and funder regulations, policies, procedures, instructions, and deadlines.
• Attend required trainings, webinars, County meetings, and substance use program meetings, including SAPC meetings and workgroups.
• Represent HYC in collaborative groups, interagency coalitions, and community organizations addressing substance use needs in Southeast Los Angeles County.
• Oversee outreach efforts that promote programs within the department.
• Serve as the agency's central point of contact regarding substance-use program services available to the community.
• Monitor contract performance and lead contract audit readiness, including accurate documentation of services, periodic reports, and compliance with federal, state, County, city, and agency requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of three years of professional experience in the substance use disorder field, including experience with prevention, treatment, recovery support, or related services.
• Strong working knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, and the needs of individuals and families affected by substance use.
• Experience working within substance use programs and applying program standards, documentation requirements, and applicable ethical and legal requirements.
• Knowledge of Los Angeles County systems and community resources related to substance use services, including the Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and support program implementation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with staff, funders, partner agencies, and community members.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to pass required background checks and criminal clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervisory, management, or team leadership experience, including experience supporting staff development. Management experience is preferred but is not required for a candidate with strong substance use disorder program experience.
• Experience with Drug Medi-Cal services, DMC-ODS requirements, and Los Angeles County SAPC standards.
• Experience developing or expanding substance use services and coordinating with schools, municipalities, County departments, and community agencies.
• Experience overseeing grant-funded programs, special projects, or related initiatives such as Project TREE.
• Experience with contract oversight, audit preparation, quality assurance, or project management.
• Experience working in a community-based nonprofit organization.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be provided, if requested, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HYC, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATION IS MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, NATION ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, MILITARY OR VETERAN STATUS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.