Safe Haven Program Manager

Swords to Plowshares; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Vision and dental

Paid time off

13 holidays

Education allowance

Employee Assistance Program

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Swords to Plowshares is seeking a Safe Haven Program Manager to oversee the 24/7 transitional housing project for veterans in San Francisco. This exempt, full-time role requires clinical licensure and leadership of a multidisciplinary team to deliver mental health and substance abuse services using harm reduction.

The position reports to the Deputy Director for Clinical and Residential Services and requires after-hours availability for emergencies, with a company cell phone provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of post-Master's experience providing direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health needs.
• Understanding of veterans' needs with emphasis on mental health and substance dependence.
• Experience in crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Fluency in English; strong written and verbal communication.
• Knowledge of DSM-based diagnosis and treatment planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver high-quality services to veterans.
• Collaborate with VA and community partners for referrals.
• Ensure timely documentation including monthly billing and VA reporting.
• Provide individual counseling and case management.
• Attend required internal and external meetings.
• Oversee staff supervision and training.
• Availability for clinical emergencies after hours.
• Support residential housing goals and funding compliance.

Skills

Team leadership

Crisis intervention

Dual diagnosis experience

Group counseling

Clinical assessment

Staff supervision

Fluent English

Education

MS in Counseling/Social Work

CA licensure: LMFT/LPCC/LCSW

CA Driver's license

DSM training

Trauma-informed care training

Job description

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

Job Title:

Safe Haven Program Manager

Location: Fairfax Hotel - 420 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm

Reporting Type: In-person

Employment Type: Exempt, Full-time

Salary Range: $95,000-$110,000 per year

Licensing REQUIREMENTS: Valid and current clinical licensure from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an LMFT, LPCC, or LCSW required for position.

Summary:

"Safe Haven" is a transitional housing residence for veterans seeking permanent housing or other options to end homelessness as appropriate to their needs. Swords to Plowshares manages the Safe Haven project at an SRO hotel in the San Francisco Tenderloin neighborhood. This is a VA funded program and will be staffed 24/7 hours by clinical and program team employees.

The Program Manager is a full-time, exempt position, regularly scheduled to work 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. This position reports to the Deputy Director for Clinical and Residential Services. The Program Manager must be available for clinical emergencies after hours and will be provided with a company cell phone.

Swords to Plowshares seeks a Program Manager to implement mental health and substance abuse services utilizing a Harm Reduction approach to veterans with severe mental illness, substance abuse, and medical needs who have been unsuccessful in previous attempts utilizing supportive services or other treatment programs. The Program Manager provides individual counseling, case management, intake and assessment, advocacy, and referrals. Duties of this position include staff supervision.

Responsibilities:

Ability to lead with a team approach to deliver high quality services to veterans.

Works in collaboration with the onsite Swords Property Manager to ensure the safety of veterans and staff in the building.

Available via phone call after hours (including weekends) to speak with staff or other partners in the event of a clinical emergency need.

Meet all contractual and programmatic goals.

Collaborate with off-site VA and other community partners for appropriate referrals to the program and facilitation of new intakes.

Ensure all required program documentation is completed in a timely manner including monthly billing and reporting to VA, referral review, extension requests, client intake and assessment, progress notes, treatment plans, data for in-house reports, correspondence, etc.

Assist veteran residents to meet program goals regarding residential stability, increased skills or income, greater self-determination, connection with mainstream resources, housing placement and money management.

Facilitate monthly staff meetings and onsite community meetings.

Attend required meetings both internal and external to the agency.

Other duties as assigned.

Ability to walk up and down stairs and sit for long periods of time.

Ability to carry out the essential duties of the position within what can be considered reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Management and supervision of staff including Mental Health Specialist, Harm Reduction Specialist, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Peer Specialist, and Program Monitors (Full and Part-time staff).

Complete annual and 90-day reviews for all assigned staff

Remain in compliance with all internal policies and procedures including those required by state and federal laws with regard to the duties as a manager and representative of the agency

Qualifications:

Experience:

Minimum of 2 years of post-Master's experience providing direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health, and complex care needs.

A working understanding of the needs of veterans experiencing homelessness with an emphasis on mental health and substance dependence, especially PTSD and readjustment issues

Knowledge and experience in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques

Experience in group counseling with dual and triple diagnosed populations

Experience in clinical assessment of dual and triple diagnosed individuals

Experience in supervising staff

Fluency in english and ability to effectively read, write, and communicate in English with staff, clients, and external partners and stakeholders.

Education:

Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work or related field

Valid and current clinical licensure from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an LMFT, LPCC, or LCSW.

CA Driver's license and clean driving record (ability to drive company vehicle)

Training in the use of the DSM to develop provisional diagnosis.

Training and familiarity with treatment protocols, especially those related to persons with history of trauma, substance abuse, and mental illness.

Employees who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for all benefits.

100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, and dental coverage. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)

Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.

Generous annual paid time off

13 holidays

17 vacation days in the first year - progressive afterwards

Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.

1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. We understand that the veteran community encompasses a multitude of identities, and we believe that our staff and board should as well. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals -regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us a