Travis County Transformation Project Program Manager

LifeWorks Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 62,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 PTO days per year

11 paid holidays per year

Premium‑free medical plan with $100/mo

Retirement plan with 50% match on the

Job summary

LifeWorks Austin is seeking a full-time, exempt Program Manager for the Travis County Transformation Project. The role leads operations, collaborates with law enforcement and community partners, and supervises counseling staff to advance trauma-informed, restorative services for youth and families.

You will monitor outcomes, ensure grant compliance, and support staff with a strengths-based approach, including data-driven program improvement and cross-system coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or related field required.
• Master's degree in related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible program management or supervisory experience in behavioral health, youth services, juvenile justice diversion, family services, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of the Travis County Transformation Project alongside our service contract partner/s.
• Promotes a healing- and person-centered culture that uplifts the dignity and strengths of clients.
• Ensure program implementation aligns with grant requirements, county contracts, agency policies, and evidence-informed practices.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, workflows, and service delivery standards.
• Monitor program performance measures and outcomes.
• Lead continuous quality improvement activities and identify opportunities for program enhancement.
• Provide coverage and direct client services during staffing transitions and other situations.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Data reporting

Contract management

Collaboration

Trauma‑informed care

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Travis County Transformation Project Program Manager to join our Counseling team!

The Program Manager for the Travis County Transformation Project (TCTP) provides leadership, oversight, and coordination for an innovative pre‑arrest diversion initiative serving youth and families involved in assault family violence incidents. The Program Manager ensures program effectiveness, contract compliance, community partnership development, staff supervision, data tracking, and continuous quality improvement while advancing a trauma-informed, restorative, and family-centered approach.

This position collaborates closely with LifeWorks programs, law enforcement agencies, Travis County partners, community organizations, and families to support youth stabilization, reduce juvenile justice involvement, and promote long‑term family well‑being. TCTP provides respite shelter, mental health services, youth and family advocacy, and restorative healing circles as alternatives to detention and court involvement.

This full time, exempt position earns a competitive rate ranging from $62,245 - $94,939 depending upon experience. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium‑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!

Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and operational oversight of the Travis County Transformation Project alongside our service contract partner/s.
• Promotes a healing‑and‑person‑centered culture that uplifts the dignity and strengths of clients.
• Ensure program implementation aligns with grant requirements, county contracts, agency policies, and evidence‑informed practices.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, workflows, and service delivery standards.
• Monitor program performance measures and outcomes.
• Lead continuous quality improvement activities and identify opportunities for program enhancement.
• Provide coverage and direct client services (in shelter, community‑based and home settings) during staffing transitions, staff leave, client escalations, or other situations that will benefit from additional support.
• Is readily available and provides guidance and case consultation to staff daily or as needed.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Supervise program staff, including counselors, and other assigned personnel.
• Provide regular coaching, performance support, and professional development opportunities.
• Promote a culture of trauma‑informed care, restorative practices, equity, and accountability, including field mentoring alongside staff providing direct, in‑home services.
• Facilitate team meetings, case consultation, and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Provides direct counseling services to a reduced client caseload as needed.
• Reviews and monitors counselor calendars and caseloads;
• Makes adjustments recommendations as needed to best serve clients and families.

Community Collaboration & System Coordination

• Serve as a primary liaison with Travis County Juvenile Probation, law enforcement agencies, schools, internal programs, and community partners.
• Facilitate cross‑system communication to ensure effective referral processes and coordinated service delivery.
• Represent the program at community meetings, stakeholder groups, and public presentations.
• Strengthen community partnerships that support youth and family success.

Youth and Family Services Oversight

• Ensure youth and families receive timely access counseling services, case management and healing circles.
• Monitor service quality and participant engagement throughout program involvement.
• Support staff in addressing complex family needs through a strengths‑based and culturally responsive approach.
• Ensure services prioritize youth and family voice and choice.
• Support youth and family in community and home‑based setting as needed which may include providing transportation to clients and transporting client’s belongings between residential settings.

Data, Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee program data collection, documentation, and outcome reporting.
• Completes file reviews and ensures that direct reports collect and enter required data in agency database in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Monitor performance indicators including participant engagement, service utilization, recidivism reduction, and family outcomes.
• Assists with providing data for reports for leadership, funders, Travis County stakeholders, and community partners as needed.
• Assists department staff with coordinating client files and other materials for funders, monitoring visits, and internal and/or external audits.
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality requirements, risk management standards, and documentation expectations.

Fiscal & Contract Management

• Assist with budget development and monitoring.
• Track expenditures and support responsible stewardship of grant and contract funds.
• Participate in funding proposals, reports, and sustainability planning efforts.
• Support strategic planning and program growth initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of trauma‑informed care, restorative practices, positive youth development, and family systems approaches.
• Knowledge of behavioral health and juvenile justice systems.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze data and utilize findings for program improvement.
• Commitment to inclusive and youth‑centered practices.

Community‑based/Travel Requirements

• Combination of office, community‑based, and respite center site work.
• Local travel throughout Travis County.
• Frequent evening meetings, family visits and community events.
• Occasional weekend work
• Ability to respond to urgent family and programmatic issues as needed.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a related field required.
• Master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible program management or supervisory experience in behavioral health, youth services, juvenile justice diversion, family services, or related fields.
• Experience managing community partnerships and multidisciplinary teams preffered.
• Experience with contract compliance, grant management, and outcome reporting preferred.
• Experience working with youth and families impacted by trauma strongly preferred.

Core Competencies And Skills

• Client Focus - Builds transformational relationships with clients and delivers mission‑centered solutions. Client Focus - Builds transformational relationships with clients and delivers mission‑centered solutions.
• Collaborates and Adapts - Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives and fulfill our mission; adapts one’s approach and demeanor to meet the shifting demands of different situations.
• Honors Differences - Embraces different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds by being open to others’ opinions, ideas, and experiences; develops an inclusive culture that creates solutions to meet the needs of our clients.
• Nimble Learning - Actively learns from successes, failures, and others’ experiences, and shows a willingness to pivot and try new things.
• Builds Trust - Gains the confidence and trust of others through integrity, dependability, and authenticity.
• Action Oriented - Takes initiative, shows resourcefulness, and directs focus and energy on mission‑critical opportunities, challenges, and changes.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Licensed Social Worker (LMSW/LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC, LCP-A), or related behavioral health credential, preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

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.