Program Services Coordinator - Peer Services

LifeWorks Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 64,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Program Services Coordinator to lead a team of peer support specialists in a dynamic and impactful role. This position focuses on empowering youth facing homelessness and mental health challenges through effective program management and community engagement. The Coordinator will ensure quality outcomes by providing training, supervision, and direct support, while fostering a person-centered culture that uplifts the dignity of clients. With competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable youth in the community.

Benefits

24 PTO days per year

15 paid holidays

Free employee medical plan

Retirement savings plan with 50% match

Affordable dental and vision options

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a related field with a Bachelor's degree.
• Experience in managing and supervising peer support specialists.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage program services for youth support.
• Supervise and train peer support specialists effectively.

Skills

Team Management

Crisis Management

Data Oversight

Community Engagement

Supervision

Education

Bachelor's in Social Work

Bachelor's in Counseling

Peer Specialist Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Job description

LifeWorks ofAustin, TXis looking for a Program Services Coordinator to join our Peer Servicesteam! The Program Services Coordinator (PSC) manages, coordinates, and provides direct supervision of a team of peer support specialists at the Peer-Run Youth Drop In that are trained in the effective use of lived experience and recovery to support youth and young adults who have experienced homelessness, systems involvement, mental health challenges, substance use, and/or trauma. The Peer-Run Youth Drop In serves youth ages 13-17. The PSC is a manager-level position that is responsible for ensuring good program outcomes by providing training, supervision, and data oversight; implementing quality improvement plans; monitoring client outcomes; and working side-by-side with team members through field mentoring. The PSC ensures the team is actively engaged in the community and equipped to support clients in navigating community resources and internal supportive service opportunities at LifeWorks.

This full time, exempt position earns a competitive rate ranging from $64,596.83-$70,590.36 depending upon experience. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 15 paid holidays per year; a free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

This position will oversee our Peer-Run Drop-In Center. The standard hours needed for this role will be 11:30am-8:00pm Monday-Thursday, and 11:30am-5:00pm on Friday's. Flexibility required for team meetings and/or trainings as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates and assists in the development, delivery, and management of program services.
• Promotes a healing- and person-centered culture that uplifts the dignity and strengths of clients at all times.
• Responsible for the hiring, orientation, training, supervision, evaluation, and dismissal of direct reports in accordance with Agency policies and procedures.
• Reviews individual client outcomes with direct reports during supervision.
• Ensures direct reports provide appropriate support to clients and offer and utilize program resources efficiently.
• Holds staff accountable for meeting individual and program performance objectives by coaching, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
• Enforces and complies with all requirements outlined by funding sources, licensure and accrediting bodies, the program, and the agency. These requirements may pertain to data, paperwork, training, processes, and procedures, among other things.
• Is readily available and provides guidance and case consultation to staff on a daily basis.
• Builds team's strength in de-escalation and mediation to effectively manage highly complex crisis situations.
• Completes file reviews and ensures that direct reports collect and enter required data in agency and funder databases in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Updates training materials, assists with delivery of training, and tracks all staff training records and due dates.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices in a range of philosophies and modalities, for example housing first approaches, harm reduction, and positive youth development.
• Acts as a liaison to other programs internally and establishes and maintains relationships with partner organizations, service providers, referral sources, and other external stakeholders in the community.
• Provide temporary coverage and direct client services during staffing transitions or outages.
• Assists with the compilation, analysis, and reporting of program outcomes on an as-needed basis.
• Assists Program Director and/or Division Director and department staff with coordinating client files and other materials for funders, monitoring visits, and internal and/or external audits.
• Represents the program at leadership meetings and communicate agency and leadership decisions to their team, as appropriate.
• Provides community training, presentations, and outreach activities, as appropriate.
• Prepares for and actively participates in supervision meetings and all other required meetings or trainings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field with and (3) years' experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires obtaining state certification as a qualified Peer Specialist Supervisor within 3 months of hire.
• Requires lived experience with 1) trauma and 2) substance use or mental health challenges. Requires maintaining own self-defined recovery.
• Preferred minimum (1) year of supervisory experience.
• Experience with databases; proficient level of experience with Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel, and Outlook.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Holds Peer Support Specialist (Mental Health Peer Specialist, Recovery Support Peer Specialist) Texas Certification.
• 1+ years' work experience as a Certified Peer Specialist/Peer Supporter.
• Completed Youth and Young Adult Peer Support Training.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS
With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.

We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve.

A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate, lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community. Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.