Program Director II (clinical) - Community Based Programming (Nebraska and Iowa)

Heartland Family Service; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Heartland Family Service seeks a Program Director to lead community-based services, strengthen partnerships, and drive operational excellence across Iowa and Nebraska. The role focuses on whole-person care, equity, and effective coordination of care with clinical, data, and quality teams.

The position emphasizes strategic leadership, staff development, and program innovation to enhance service access and outcomes for diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Five years of experience in the field.
• Two years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic program leadership aligned with the agency mission and CCBHC principles.
• Lead and supervise cross-program teams and coordinators.
• Drive integration with the CCBHC framework and ensure trauma-informed practices.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Strategic program leadership

Cross-program collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work/Public Administration

Job description

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. We believe this allows for better service delivery and innovation, as it encourages our employees to bring various experiences and uniqueness to the workplace.

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives. Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships.

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative and team-oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

Summary Description Of Work

As a Program Director at Heartland Family Service, you will have an opportunity to make a lasting impact on our employee experience through your ability to build strong relationships, solid programming and organize and streamline processes. In this role, you will help us to take our day-to-day employee operations to the next level so we can do our best work strengthening individuals, and families through advocacy, education, counseling, and support services.

Compensation: salary to be discussed upon interview (based upon total years of relevant experience)

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work/Public Administration, or a related field preferred
• Five years’ experience in field
• Two years of supervisory experience
• Ability to travel between Iowa and Nebraska service locations
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide strategic program leadership. Set the vision and direction for Community-Based Services in alignment with Heartland Family Service’s mission and CCBHC principles, focusing on whole-person care, community integration, and equity.
• Lead and supervise cross-program teams. Directly oversee coordinators that supervise Care Team Specialists, Community Support staff, and InShape program teams. Provide administrative supervision, facilitate team cohesion, and ensure effective coordination of care across disciplines.
• Drive Integration with CCBHC framework. Operationalize program goals within the CCBHC model by embedding trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and evidence-based practices into daily service delivery. Collaborate closely with clinical, data, and quality teams to meet CCBHC standards.
• Facilitate cross-program collaboration. Ensure that Care Team Specialists effectively bring together staff from various programs to support integrated care planning, transitions, and continuity of care for clients with complex needs.
• Develop and sustain community partnership. Proactively engage with community stakeholders, including healthcare systems, schools, housing providers, and criminal justice partners to expand service access and create responsive care pathways for clients.
• Streamline operations across Iowa and Nebraska. Identify opportunities for aligning workflows, documentation, and service delivery practices across state lines. Lead the implementation of shared tools, procedures, and staff training to ensure consistency and quality.
• Enhance client engagement and access. Promote strategies to reduce barriers to care, increase service engagement, and improve outcomes for historically underserved populations, including individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs.
• Use data to inform decision-making. Regularly review and interpret program data and outcome measures. Use findings to inform team performance, service enhancements, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Promote staff development and wellbeing. Create a culture of learning, accountability, and support. Facilitate ongoing professional development, reflective supervision, and team building to support staff resilience and retention.
• Support grant and contract compliance. Assist in tracking and reporting grant deliverables, adhering to contractual obligations, and supporting audits or external evaluations in collaboration with grants and compliance teams.
• Advance innovation and best practices. Stay informed on emerging trends in behavioral health, integrated care, and community-based programming. Lead pilot initiatives or program enhancements to ensure services remain client-centered and forward-thinking.
• *Create, maintain and share as appropriate a dynamic self-care plan.
• * Strive to make connections between the agency and the larger community whenever possible to contribute to the agency’s ongoing fundraising and friend-raising efforts.
• * Essential functions of this job are to be performed on company physical work site or designated workspace.
• *DENOTES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS