Behavioral Health Program Director

Akua Behavioral Health • Costa Mesa, CA

1d

About The Position

Akua Behavioral Health is hiring a full-time, exempt Program Director for a certified Residential Treatment Program. The role oversees program operations, staff performance, staffing coverage, regulatory compliance, employee management, emergency response, and program performance and costs. The position combines clinical expertise with business administration skills and calls for ownership, accountability, compassion, emotional stability, and strong leadership and execution.

The Program Director ensures that staff carry out their daily responsibilities through ongoing monitoring, training, and accountability; maintains staffing coverage on every shift and oversees timekeeping; and ensures compliance with company policies, regulatory standards, licensing requirements, credentialing, and accreditation. The director participates in hiring and interviewing, oversees discipline and terminations in accordance with HR policies, communicates about and resolves client issues and crises, and monitors program metrics and expenses against budget guidelines.

Compensation is listed as up to $126,000 per year, including a base salary of $90,000–$100,000 and a performance bonus of up to $26,000 per year. The bonus is described as up to $500 per week based on census, earned weekly and paid monthly. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, sick and vacation time off, and equity shares.

Akua Behavioral Health describes itself as a California mental health and substance abuse treatment provider offering individualized care from Master's- and Doctorate-level clinicians at licensed and accredited facilities in Northern and Southern California. Its approach combines Western evidence-based treatment with holistic Eastern traditions, and its mission is to create an environment of healing and transformation for clients seeking change.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or another major including at least 24 semester units in one or more of Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Behavioral Sciences, or Psychiatric Nursing, plus two years of full-time work experience in a community program serving clients with mental illness, providing direct client services, including one year supervising direct care staff.
• Alternatively, four years of experience providing direct services to people with mental disabilities in a community program, including one year supervising direct care staff, and high school graduation or a GED may substitute for the bachelor's degree and experience pathway described in the posting.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required; a master's degree is preferred. Examples of relevant fields include Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, and Psychology.
• At least three years of mental health experience and at least one year of management experience.
• Valid California driver's license, current health screen/physical, TB test clearance, current CPR/First Aid certificate, and ability to pass Live Scan.
• Required qualifications for a certified Residential Treatment Program Director must be met prior to employment.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a relevant field, such as Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or Psychology.
• LADC or higher, SUDCC-CS II or higher, LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or a functionally equivalent appropriate license or certification (listed as preferred).

Responsibilities

• Ensure program staff carry out daily functions and responsibilities through continuous monitoring, training, and accountability.
• Ensure the program follows staffing guidelines and maintains adequate coverage on every shift, including timekeeping.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory standards, and licensing requirements, and maintain the program's licensed, credentialed, accredited, and good-standing status.
• Participate in hiring and interviewing within staffing guidelines; oversee disciplinary actions and terminations in compliance with HR policies.
• Promptly communicate about and resolve client issues and crises.
• Monitor program metrics to drive performance improvements.
• Control costs by following budget guidelines for staffing, scheduling, and operational expenses.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Sick and vacation paid time off.
• Equity shares.
• Performance bonus of up to $26,000 per year, based on census; earned weekly and paid monthly.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director