Clinical Program Manager

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

About the role

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is launching a new Early Intervention (EI) Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) program in partnership with Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (ACBHD), funded under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). This is an opportunity to implement and operationalize ACBHD’s established EI model — activating clinical operations, standing up Medi-Cal billing infrastructure, and building IRC’s capacity to deliver high-quality early intervention behavioral health services in Alameda County. The Clinical Program Manager provides integrated leadership across program management, clinical services, and compliance to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed care for clients with early-stage mental health needs. The role combines implementation of program plans and procedures with hands-on oversight of SMHS billing, documentation quality, staff supervision, and community partnership — all within the regulatory framework of ACBHD’s EI model and Medi-Cal requirements. The role will supervise 2-5 staff.

Responsibilities

• Program Management & Launch
  • Work with office senior leadership to implement IRC’s EI SMHS program in accordance with ACBHD’s EI program model, including staffing models, service workflows, and documentation systems
  • Establish and maintain program policies, procedures, and operational infrastructure in compliance with BHSA regulations and ACBHD contracting requirements for FY 26/27 and beyond
  • Track program performance against ACBHD productivity standards (30% direct service for Outreach; 30% for Treatment) and the 50% Medi-Cal billable services threshold required in Year 1
  • Drive continuous quality improvement and sustainable program growth
• Medi-Cal Billing, Compliance & Quality Assurance
  • In collaboration with Finance team, ensure accurate use of HCPCS codes (e.g., H2017, H2019, T1017) and correct application of provider type and modifier rules
  • Ensure documentation practices align with Medi-Cal SMHS requirements and withstand audit scrutiny, including treatment plan linkage, credential-appropriate service coding, and progress note standards
  • Conduct regular audits of case files, billing records, and service documentation
  • Collaborate with IRC finance and compliance teams to resolve discrepancies and prepare for monitoring reviews
• Staff Supervision & Clinical Oversight
  • Supervise program staff, including ASWs, Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialists (MHRS), and other direct service providers
  • Provide clinical oversight of assessments, treatment plans, and case documentation; facilitate case conferences and support clinical decision-making
  • Ensure case documentation meets Medi-Cal SMHS standards; take full responsibility for case conferences, treatment plan compliance, and clinical decision-making
  • Support staff development through training, coaching, consultation and skill-building focused on documentation standards, SMHS compliance, and trauma-informed practice
  • Ensure all services meet licensing, ethical, and regulatory standards and are delivered in a culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate manner
  • Lead crisis interventions including independent decision making on client safety interventions and APS/CPS reporting
• Funder & Partner Relations
  • Coordinate with ACBHD program staff on EI model requirements, monitoring benchmarks, and billing transition timelines; serve as a key day-to-day point of contact with Alameda County Behavioral Health
  • Develop and maintain working relationships with community providers, managed care organizations, and other referral and service partners
  • Participate in external coalitions, working groups, and county stakeholder meetings on behalf of IRC
  • Maintain a small caseload if appropriate to program needs

Requirements

• Education
  • Active and unrestricted licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
  • Eligible to be an approved clinical supervisor in California (licensed for 2+ years in the state of CA)
• Work Experience
  • 2+ years post-licensure experience providing clinical mental health services, ideally within a MediCal setting
  • 2+ years supervising staff
  • 1+ years managing programs
  • Demonstrated experience with new project development and implementation preferred
• Skills & Competencies
  • Experience with Alameda County’s behavioral health system, ACBHD contracting processes, or county-funded SMHS programs
  • Deep knowledge of SMHS billing practices: HCPCS codes, Medi-Cal documentation standards, provider type credentialing, and county contract compliance
  • Strong understanding of policies and procedures governing behavioral health, preferably in Alameda County
  • Experienced with community outreach and engagement, including with schools, FQHCs, community-based organizations, and other human and social service providers
  • Strong quality assurance and audit skills; able to identify billing and documentation compliance risks and build systems to address them
  • Effective supervisor with the ability to develop staff across a range of credentials and experience levels
  • Experience working with refugees, immigrants, or other forcibly displaced populations preferred
  • Experience with MAA billing or Medical Administrative Activities a plus
  • Analytical and systems-oriented; comfortable with financial modeling, productivity tracking, and program data
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience representing programs to funders and county partners
  • Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centered care
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel); experience with EHR/billing platforms a plus
• Language Skills
  • Required: English fluency
  • Preferred: Bilingual, preferably in Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Tigrinya, or other language spoken by the Alameda County refugee and immigrant community

Key Working Relationships

• Reports to: Director with dotted line to Health and Safety Technical Unit
• Directly Supervises: Clinical and program staff (ASWs, MHRS, and others as the program grows)
• Internal Contacts: IRC RAI staff, technical advisors, finance and compliance teams
• External Contacts: ACBHD (primary county partner), community behavioral health providers, managed care organizations, funders

Pay

Pay Rate: $95,642-$100,079/yr. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Benefits

• 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
• Medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month
• FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
• 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
• Disability & life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program available to staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles