PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY)

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Work life balance

Paid leave

CalPERS retirement

Savings Plus (401k, 457)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Commute program

Wellness program

Employee assistance program

Dep Care Reimbursement Accounts

ScholarShare college savings

Training and development

Annual raises

Job summary

State of California – Department of State Hospitals seeks a Program Director for Various Programs in San Luis Obispo County. This permanent, full‑time role offers a hybrid work arrangement and a monthly salary range of $9,741 to $11,334.

The selected candidate will lead program operations, ensure compliance with CRIPA, Joint Commission, and licensure standards, oversee staff, and coordinate treatment services, with robust benefits and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Explain how your knowledge, experience, and leadership practices make you the most desirable candidate to serve in this position.
• Describe your leadership skills and experience creating an effective, motivated, and balanced team.
• Describe your experience with conflict resolution and how effective it was, or if ineffective, what you would have done differently to make it effective.

Responsibilities

• Continue to maintain standards related to oversight agency requirements, including, but not limited to: CRIPA, Joint Commission, Licensure, and environmental health.
• Promote an environment of non-violence and safe work practices.
• Ensure the provision of a treatment system geared to meet the needs and dispositional tracks of the patients. Ensure appropriate protocols, treatment activities, and accurate documentation processes.
• Ensure an environment conducive to meeting the hospital's treatment goals.
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI). Assist in the maintenance of a safe and secure environment through response to physical assaults, escape attempts, or other major patient disturbance, and assist in the management of the conduct of the patients. Responsible for overall management, supervision, and assignment of all staff allocated to the Program.
• The Program Director will continuously monitor use of overtime and registry shifts utilized to cover staff shortages to ensure economic use of staff. Will monitor and assure that 1:1 patient observation is necessary, and all efforts are made to reduce the use of 1:1.
• Ensure that managers/supervisors hold staff accountable to high standards of patient treatment, team participation, and interpersonal respect and provide for the timely completion of individual development plans and performance appraisals.
• Maintain effective relationships with agencies involved in the transition of patients as appropriate to their dispositional track (CONREP, BPH, Superior Court, Parole, etc.).

Job description

Job Posting: Program Director - Various Programs

Department of State Hospitals

JC-538436 - Program Director - Various Programs

$9,741.00 - $11,334.00 per Month (New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.)

Final Filing Date: 11/24/2026

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Work Location: San Luis Obispo County

Telework: Hybrid

Facility: Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero

Eligibility

To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications.

Applicants who do not have eligibility must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.

Job Description and Duties

• Continue to maintain standards related to oversight agency requirements, including, but not limited to: CRIPA, Joint Commission, Licensure, and environmental health.
• Promote an environment of non-violence and safe work practices.
• Ensure the provision of a treatment system geared to meet the needs and dispositional tracks of the patients. Ensure appropriate protocols, treatment activities, and accurate documentation processes.
• Ensure an environment conducive to meeting the hospital's treatment goals.
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI). Assist in the maintenance of a safe and secure environment through response to physical assaults, escape attempts, or other major patient disturbance, and assist in the management of the conduct of the patients. Responsible for overall management, supervision, and assignment of all staff allocated to the Program.
• The Program Director will continuously monitor use of overtime and registry shifts utilized to cover staff shortages to ensure economic use of staff. Will monitor and assure that 1:1 patient observation is necessary, and all efforts are made to reduce the use of 1:1.
• Ensure that managers/supervisors hold staff accountable to high standards of patient treatment, team participation, and interpersonal respect and provide for the timely completion of individual development plans and performance appraisals.
• Maintain effective relationships with agencies involved in the transition of patients as appropriate to their dispositional track (CONREP, BPH, Superior Court, Parole, etc.).

Minimum Requirements

• PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY)

Working Conditions

This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).

Benefits

• Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
• Work life balance (some positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually - specific accrual rates can be found here)
• Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
• Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Commute Program
• Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• ScholarShare (college savings account)
• On-the-job training and professional development
• Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Directions

• Explain how your knowledge, experience, and leadership practices make you the most desirable candidate to serve in this position.
• Describe your leadership skills and experience creating an effective, motivated, and balanced team.
• Describe your experience with conflict resolution and how effective it was, or if ineffective, what you would have done differently to make it effective.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to provide an SOQ or not accurately responding to SOQ questions will result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please limit your SOQ to a maximum of three (3) pages, typed, single-spaced and in 12-point Arial font.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position to the Department's EEO Office.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

• Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
• Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted.
• Scanned, copied, or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
• If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant’s name may be removed from the eligibility list.
• Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.
• Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
• This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.