Program Therapist (Senior)

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition remission

Dependent education programs

Job summary

The Center for Development and Disability at The University of New Mexico seeks a Senior Program Therapist to deliver and coordinate START clinical services for an assigned caseload. You will collaborate with individuals, families, providers, and systems of care to strengthen supports, promote stability, and reduce crisis and emergency service reliance.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience; a Master's in a related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling or a related human services field.
• At least 2 years of experience working with people with IDD and MH needs and their families.
• Ability to navigate complex systems, collaborate across disciplines and work effectively with diverse teams and individuals with empathy and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability and commitment to complete START Coordination Certification within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and coordinate START clinical services for an assigned caseload.
• Collaborate with individuals, families, providers and systems of care to strengthen supports and promote stability.
• Prevent crisis and reduce reliance on emergency and inpatient services for the people enrolled.

Skills

Strong communication

Writing

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in social work/psychology/counseling

Job description

Program Therapist (Senior)

The Center for Development and Disability (CDD), established in 1990, is New Mexico's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. These centers, authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, build the capacities of states and communities to respond to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The NM START model is a crisis prevention and intervention model for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health concerns.

Join our interdisciplinary team and make a meaningful impact on the lives of people with IDD and mental health needs. As a START coordinator, you will deliver and coordinate START clinical services for an assigned caseload, applying the nationally recognized START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment) Model. In this role, you will collaborate with individuals, families, providers and systems of care to strengthen supports, promote stability and well being, prevent crisis and reduce reliance on emergency and inpatient services for the people enrolled.

Why you will love this role:

• Support meaningful, lasting change for people, their families and communities;
• Strengthen collaboration across families and service systems;
• Promote person centered, trauma informed and strength based care;
• Advance your skills through training and collaboration with the National Center for START Services Network.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

***Address in your cover letter how your experience and skills align with our preferred qualifications***

Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling or a related human services field.

At least 2 years of experience working with people with IDD and MH needs and their families.

Strong communication, writing and organizational skills.

Ability to navigate complex systems, collaborate across disciplines and work effectively with diverse teams and individuals with empathy and cultural sensitivity.

Ability and commitment to complete START Coordination Certification within 12 months of hire.

Additional Requirements

This position requires passing a background check and fingerprinting.

Campus

Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM

Department

Pediatrics Center for Development (997H)

Employment Type

Staff

Staff Type

Term - Full-Time

Term End Date

06/30/2027

Status

Exempt

Pay

Monthly: $4,277.87 - $6,009.47

Benefits Eligible

This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for more information.

ERB Statement

As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required

Yes

For Best Consideration Date

8/24/2026

Eligible for Hiring Incentive

No

Eligible for Remote Work

No

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisionswithout regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or anyother protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.