Program Manager - Behavioral Health - 14847

Aspiranet; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Growth potential

14 paid holidays

10 vacation days + 10 sick days

100% employer-paid medical and dental

403(b) employer match

Life and disability insurance

Wellness and commuter benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Professional development opportunities

Supportive culture

Job summary

Aspiranet is seeking a Program Manager for the Merced, CA area. This on-site, full-time role leads behavioral health programs, oversees staff, budgets, and compliance, and partners with funders to advance service quality.

The PM I will hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff, ensuring adherence to agency standards and fiscal planning while supporting program outcomes and quality assurance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field and at least one year of prior management experience.
• At least two years experience in community-based, social services, behavioral health, school-based or residential settings.
• Intern registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (AMFT, APCC or ACSW).

Responsibilities

• Manage daily program operations, ensuring quality service delivery and regulatory compliance.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop program staff and volunteers.
• Monitor program budgets, outcomes, and performance measures.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, community partners, and funding agencies.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, Joint Commission standards, and funder requirements while supporting continuous program improvement.

Skills

People management

Budget oversight

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Education

Master's degree in related field

Intern registration with Board of Behavioral Sciences (AMFT/APCC/ACSW)

Job description

Program Manager

Location: Merced, CA | On-Site
Schedule: Full-Time | Exempt
Department: Behavioral Health
Reports to: Program Director
Salary Range: $83,600 – $88,000 annually

Hiring & Retention Bonus: $1,500 Sign-On Bonus
(Paid 50% at 1 month and 6 months)

The base salary range for this position is $83,600 – $88,000 per year for employees hired in the Central Valley, CA. The pay range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired within the Central Valley region. Candidates hired in Southern California or Bay Area locations may have higher starting salaries due to cost of living and market data differences. Factors that may be used to determine your actual starting salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and internal comparison to other employees who hold a similar role.

Why Aspiranet?

Founded in 1975, Aspiranet is a mission-driven social services agency with locations across California. Our six divisions Foster Care & Adoption, Transitional Aged Youth, Residential, Intensive Home-Based Services, Behavioral Health, and Family & Community provide holistic supports for children, families, and communities. Every role contributes to something greater: building brighter futures where opportunity, hope, and healing are within everyone’s reach.

Position Summary

The Program Manager (PM I) is responsible for hiring, training, supervising and evaluating staff, inclusive of performance management. The PM I has oversight of the program(s) budget and reports and interfaces with funder partners. The PM I is responsible for program(s) oversight, including quality assurance and program compliance, including required documentation to federal, state, and funder, and Agency standards. The PM I is also responsible for budgetary and strategic planning related to the program(s) they oversee. PM I is responsible for upholding and supervising to the Agency’s operational, financial, personnel and practice rules, policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily program operations, ensuring quality service delivery and regulatory compliance.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop program staff and volunteers.
• Monitor program budgets, outcomes, and performance measures.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, community partners, and funding agencies.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, Joint Commission standards, and funder requirements while supporting continuous program improvement.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field and a minimum of one year prior management experience;
• A minimum of two years experience working in a related field / setting (community based, social services, behavioral health, school based or residential setting).
• Intern registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an AMFT, APCC or ACSW.

Licenses and Certifications

• Meets all state required conditions of employment as set forth by funder and Community Care Licensing for a Licensed Community Care facility; i.e. Fingerprint and Child Abuse Index clearance, TB/Health Physical. Valid CDL and clean driving record.
• Meets all compliance requirements of federal, state, and country regulations by periodic sanction checks.

Why Aspiranet?

• Growth potential.
• 14 paid holidays (including birthday and diversity holidays).
• 10 vacation days + 10 sick days annually.
• 100% employer-paid medical and dental plans.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Wellness, commuter, and mileage reimbursement benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program (24/7 support + counseling).
• Professional development, training, and advancement opportunities.
• Supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.
• Operate at a leadership level where you impact multiple cottages and teams.
• Be a key player in building consistency, structure, and excellence across programs.
• Work in a beautiful country environment with new facilities and innovative resources.
• Small-group model (max 4 youth per cottage) allows for meaningful, individualized care.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole. Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.