Program Director - Family Services

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Program Manager to join our Family Services team!

The Program Director for Family Services, including 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 Director 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 partners, 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 $78,417 - $105,956 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.
• Oversee compliance with Travis County contracts, grant requirements, agency policies, and applicable program standards.
• 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.
• Create and implement program corrective plans as needed.
• Lead continuous quality improvement activities and identify opportunities for program enhancement.
• Is readily available and provides guidance and case consultation to staff daily or as needed.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and hold accountable program staff, including counselors and other assigned personnel.
• Provide ongoing case consultation, coaching, and guidance to staff regarding complex youth and family needs, using strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Promote a culture of trauma-informed care, restorative practices, equity, and accountability, including field mentoring alongside staff providing direct, in-home services.
• Reviews and monitors counselor calendars and caseloads;
• Makes adjustments recommendations as needed to best serve clients and families.
• Develop intern program as appropriate.

Community Collaboration & System Coordination

• Serve as a primary liaison with Travis County Juvenile Probation, law enforcement, schools, internal LifeWorks programs, and other community partners.
• Build and maintain cross-system partnerships that strengthen referral pathways, service coordination, and outcomes for youth and families.
• Represent the program at community meetings, stakeholder groups, public presentations, and other collaborative initiatives.

Youth and Family Services Oversight

• Ensure youth and families receive timely access counseling services, case management and healing circles.
• Provide coverage in community, and home-based settings as needed to support program operations, staffing transitions, and high-acuity situations.
• Monitor service quality and participant engagement throughout program involvement.
• Ensure services prioritize youth and family voice and choice.
• Transport clients and their belongings between residential settings as needed to support service delivery.

Data, Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee program data collection, documentation, performance measurement, and outcome reporting, including participant engagement, service utilization, recidivism reduction, and family outcomes.
• Prepare and/or provide program data and reports for agency leadership, funders, Travis County, and other stakeholders.
• Conduct file reviews and ensure staff enter required data accurately, completely, and within established timelines.
• Assists department staff with coordinating client files and other materials for funders, monitoring visits, and internal and/or external audits.

Fiscal & Contract Management

• Develop and monitor program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure responsible stewardship of grant and contract funds.
• Monitor insurance billing, third-party billing, and other program revenue.
• Participate in funding proposals, reports, and sustainability planning efforts.

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.
• Transport clients as needed.
• Periodic evening meetings, weekend work, family/client home visits, and community events.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• 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.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

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

EXPERIENCE

• 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 preferred.
• 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.

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.