Program Director

Title:  Program Director, Interim Housing
Division: Project 180
FLSA: Exempt
Supervisor: Senior Director of Programs
Pay Scale: $100,000-$132,000 annually
Revised Date:  5/1/25

The Organization

SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Program

Project 180’s Interim Housing program provides intensive, wraparound behavioral health services at four transitional housing sites to a forensic population. The goals of the program are to support individuals in receiving services within the community, as opposed to institutions (ie jail, hospitals). The program is funded by the Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). 

The Position

The Interim Housing Program Director is responsible for overseeing all of Project 180’s Interim Housing services. The Program Director is responsible for maintaining external partner relationships and ensuring contract compliance.  They directly supervise a Program Manager, Senior Supervisor, a clinical supervisor and function as a clinical expert across the division. The Program Director serves as an organizational leader and steward and will engage rigorously to inform organization-wide strategy and decisions, build trusting relationships across the organization and model our core values. 

Essential Functions:

Maintain external partner relationships and ensure contract compliance

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with collaborative partners, including but not limited to LA County Probation, LA Superior Court, Department of Mental Health, Office of Diversion and Reentry and property ownership/management. 
• Internalize contract requirements and ensure they are understood and met by the teams. Develop and maintain internal policies & procedures, training and systems to support compliance across programs.
• Cultivate collaboration and teamwork across interim housing sites.

Manage staff to achieve strong program outcomes

• Hire, onboard, and train program leaders.
• Manage Program leaders and their teams to achieve performance outcomes. Monitor progress, provide regular coaching and feedback, conduct annual performance reviews, and hold staff accountable. 
• Co-creates and approves staffing plans/changes. Ensures program staffing plans are consistent with program strategy and budget.
• Help Program leaders troubleshoot challenging client-service situations and through weekly supervision, ad-hoc coaching, and direct intervention as needed.
• Communicate regularly with the Senior Director of Programs to report progress, escalate issues or concerns, and ensure ongoing strategic alignment. 
• Perform administrative managerial duties and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Apply racial equity lens to all elements of hiring and supervision. 

Licensed Clinician only:

Provide clinical leadership and supervision

• Serve as a clinical expert and provide ongoing clinical consultation across the division as needed. 
• Ensure service delivery is consistent with legal and ethical standards. Stay abreast of evidenced based practices for division target population(s). 
• Maintain LPS Designation and participate in agency 24 hour crisis line rotation. Perform risk assessment and crisis intervention as needed. 
• Provide weekly individual clinical supervision and group supervision to registered clinical staff, as needed.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations.

• Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as needed.
• Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (ie BBS, CCAPP)

Skills and Abilities

Exceptional program, people, and self management skills:

• Visionary leader dedicated to continual excellence and improvement
• Goal-oriented and keenly focused on people, program, and client service outcomes
• Data-oriented problem solver and innovative systems thinker
• Track record of leading large, diverse teams to navigate change and achieve goals 
• Coaching orientation with staff development and able to mentor new leaders
• Centers racial equity in systems, processes, and relationships
• Leverages exceptional relationship and communication skills to achieve goals and outcomes
• Strong sense of personal responsibility 

Minimum Qualifications

• Required: 
  • Master’s degree in social work or mental health field from an accredited college or university, and valid license or registration with licensing body (i.e. the BBS). 
  • 4 years experience leading large programmatic teams to deliver strong results 
  • Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
  • Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required.
  • Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check
• Preferred: 
  • LCSW/LMFT/LPCC with 2+ years of post-licensure experience
  • 2 years experience supervising mental health programs
  • Experience providing treatment to a forensic population
  • Experience managing other managers/supervisors

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervisor will directly manage a team of approximately 3 program leaders (Program Manager, Senior Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor). Supervisor may be responsible for formal clinical supervision.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings.

Physical Requirements  

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements. 

Mental Requirements 

The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.