Program Director II (clinical) - Peer Center (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 Peer Support services across Iowa and Nebraska, shaping strong relationships, programming, and streamlined processes to strengthen individuals and families through advocacy, education, counseling, and support services.

The role requires strategic leadership, staff supervision, and cross‑state coordination with a focus on trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented practice and continuous quality improvement.

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.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic program leadership for Peer Support services across Iowa and Nebraska.
• Lead and develop staff including peer support staff, therapists and office support.
• Build a cohesive cross‑state program ensuring consistent philosophy and delivery across locations.

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. Provide vision, direction, and oversight for Peer Support services and Peer Centers across Iowa and Nebraska, aligning programming with Heartland Family Service’s mission, CCBHC principles, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Lead and develop staff. Provide administrative leadership and supervision to Peer Support program leadership and staff including peer support staff, therapists and office support. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, professional growth, wellbeing, and respect for the unique role of peer professionals.
• Build a cohesive cross-state program. Promote consistency in the philosophy, culture, quality, and delivery of Peer Support services across Iowa and Nebraska while maintaining flexibility to meet state-specific regulations, credentialing, documentation, supervision, and service requirements.
• Ensure quality and compliance. Oversee program practices to ensure services meet applicable state, federal, Medicaid, payer, CCBHC, and organizational requirements. Monitor changes in regulations and ensure appropriate policies, procedures, training, and workflows are implemented.
• Support high-quality Peer Support practice. Ensure services are person-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and grounded in the principles of lived experience, empowerment, self-determination, advocacy, and community integration.
• Promote integration and coordination of care. Collaborate with clinical, substance use, quality, data, and other service teams to ensure Peer Support is effectively integrated into the broader continuum of care and CCBHC model.
• Monitor program performance. Use program data, outcomes, staff feedback, and individual/family feedback to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and support continuous quality improvement.
• Oversee training and professional development. Ensure Peer Support staff receive appropriate state-specific training, certification, continuing education, and professional development. Promote shared learning and best practices across both states.
• Strengthen community partnerships. Develop relationships with healthcare providers, schools, housing providers, behavioral health organizations, criminal justice partners, and other community resources to improve access, referrals, and recovery supports.
• Support program development and sustainability. Identify opportunities for innovation, service enhancement, grants, contracts, and partners that strengthen and expand Peer Support programming.
• Promote access and engagement. Lead strategies that reduce barriers to care and increase engagement, recovery, resiliency, and community integration for individuals and families, including those with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs.
• Support agency-wide initiatives. Participate in agency activities, including fundraising and friend-raising efforts, and contribute to the ongoing development of Heartland Family Service.
• Maintain personal and professional wellbeing. Create, maintain, and share, as appropriate, a dynamic self-care plan and model healthy professional practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work Location: Essential functions of this position are to be performed at a company physical work site or designated workspace, with travel between program locations and communities as needed.
• DENOTES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS