Program Director - Family Services

LifeWorks Austin•Austin, TX

1d•$78,417 - $105,956

About The Position

LifeWorks is seeking a Program Director for Family Services, including the Travis County Transformation Project (TCTP), an innovative pre-arrest diversion initiative for youth and families involved in assault family violence incidents. The Director provides leadership, oversight, and coordination to ensure program effectiveness, contract compliance, community partnerships, staff supervision, data tracking, and continuous quality improvement. The program uses trauma-informed, restorative, and family-centered approaches 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. The role collaborates with LifeWorks programs, law enforcement agencies, Travis County partners, community organizations, and families. Responsibilities include operational and fiscal oversight, staff development, service quality, partnership coordination, compliance, and outcome reporting. Work takes place across office, community-based, and respite center settings, with local travel throughout Travis County. The position may involve periodic evening meetings, weekend work, family or client home visits, community events, and transporting clients as needed. This is a full-time, exempt position with a stated annual salary range of $78,417–$105,956, depending on experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a related field.
Credential in behavioral health, such as LMSW/LCSW, LPC, or LCP-A, or a related credential.
Valid driver’s license.
At least three years of progressively responsible program management or supervisory experience in behavioral health, youth services, juvenile justice diversion, family services, or a related field.
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 use findings for program improvement.
Commitment to inclusive and youth-centered practices.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a related field.
Full behavioral health licensure is strongly preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills are strongly preferred.
Experience managing community partnerships and multidisciplinary teams.
Experience with contract compliance, grant management, and outcome reporting.
Experience working with youth and families impacted by trauma.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of the Travis County Transformation Project alongside service contract partners.
Promote a healing- and person-centered culture that upholds clients’ dignity and strengths.
Oversee compliance with county contracts, grant requirements, agency policies, and applicable program standards.
Ensure program implementation aligns with grant requirements, contracts, agency policies, and evidence-informed practices.
Develop and maintain operational procedures, workflows, and service delivery standards; create corrective plans as needed.
Lead continuous quality improvement and identify opportunities to enhance the program.
Provide staff guidance and case consultation.
Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and hold program staff accountable, including counselors and other assigned personnel.
Coach staff on complex youth and family needs using strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches.
Promote trauma-informed care, restorative practices, equity, and accountability, including field mentoring alongside staff delivering in-home services.
Review counselor calendars and caseloads and recommend adjustments to best serve clients and families.
Develop an intern program as appropriate.
Serve as a primary liaison with Travis County Juvenile Probation, law enforcement, schools, LifeWorks programs, and community partners.
Build and maintain cross-system partnerships that strengthen referrals, service coordination, and outcomes.
Represent the program at community meetings, stakeholder groups, public presentations, and collaborative initiatives.
Ensure youth and families have timely access to counseling, case management, and healing circles.
Provide coverage in community and home-based settings as needed, including during staffing transitions and high-acuity situations.
Monitor service quality and participant engagement, ensuring services prioritize youth and family voice and choice.
Transport clients and their belongings between residential settings as needed.
Oversee data collection, documentation, performance measurement, and outcome reporting, including engagement, service utilization, recidivism reduction, and family outcomes.
Prepare or provide program data and reports for agency leadership, funders, Travis County, and other stakeholders.
Conduct file reviews and ensure required data is entered accurately, completely, and on time.
Assist department staff in coordinating client files and materials for funders, monitoring visits, and internal or external audits.
Develop and monitor program budgets, track expenditures, and steward grant and contract funds responsibly.
Monitor insurance billing, third-party billing, and other program revenue.
Participate in funding proposals, reports, and sustainability planning.