Program Manager - Peer Services

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a full-time Program Manager to join our Peer Services team. The Program Manager coordinates and provides direct supervision of a team of peer support specialists and certified family partners at the Peer-Run Youth Drop-In, who are trained in the effective use of lived experience and recovery to support youth and young adults (ages 13-17) who have experienced homelessness, systems involvement, mental health challenges, substance use, and/or trauma.

About the role

The Program Manager ensures good program outcomes by providing training, supervision, and data oversight; implementing quality improvement plans; monitoring client outcomes; and working side-by-side with team members through field mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and assists in the development, delivery, and management of program services.
• Promotes a healing- and person-centered culture that uplifts the dignity and strengths of clients at all times.
• Responsible for the hiring, orientation, training, supervision, evaluation, and dismissal of direct reports in accordance with Agency policies and procedures.
• Reviews individual client outcomes with direct reports during supervision.
• Ensures direct reports provide appropriate support to clients and offer and utilize program resources efficiently.
• Holds staff accountable for meeting individual and program performance objectives by coaching, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
• Enforces and complies with all requirements outlined by funding sources, licensure and accrediting bodies, the program, and the agency (e.g., data, paperwork, training, processes, and procedures).
• Is readily available and provides guidance and case consultation to staff on a daily basis.
• Builds team’s strength in de-escalation and mediation to effectively manage highly complex crisis situations.
• Completes file reviews and ensures that direct reports collect and enter required data in agency and funder databases in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Updates training materials, assists with delivery of training, and tracks all staff training records and due dates.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices in a range of philosophies and modalities (e.g., housing first approaches, harm reduction, and positive youth development).
• Acts as a liaison to other programs internally and establishes and maintains relationships with partner organizations, service providers, referral sources, and other external stakeholders in the community.
• Provides temporary coverage and direct client services during staffing transitions or outages.
• Assists with the compilation, analysis, and reporting of program outcomes on an as-needed basis.
• Assists Program Director and/or Division Director and department staff with coordinating client files and other materials for funders, monitoring visits, and internal and/or external audits.
• Represents the program at leadership meetings and communicates agency and leadership decisions to their team, as appropriate.
• Provides community training, presentations, and outreach activities, as appropriate.
• Prepares for and actively participates in supervision meetings and all other required meetings or trainings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required to either have or obtain the Peer Specialist Supervisor Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Preferred minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Requires having maintained own recovery over the last 2-year period.
• Experience with databases; proficient level of experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).

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.

Pay

$64,596.83–$70,590.36 per year, depending upon experience.

Benefits

• 24 PTO days per year (accrued).
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options).
• Retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions.