Program Manager

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California•Santa Ana, CA

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About The Position

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 70 different programs/services at nearly 20 different locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping, and empowering vulnerable individuals, families, and communities toward self-sufficiency. POSITION SUMMARY: The Program Manager supports daily program operations at the Santa Ana site, with primary responsibility for the Victim Intervention Program (VIP) and secondary operational support for CalAIM Community Supports services administered through CalOptima and other Managed Care Plans (MCPs). Reporting to the Site Manager, the Program Manager provides direct supervision to program staff, manages undergraduate and graduate interns and volunteers, and ensures compliance, documentation integrity, and performance monitoring across multiple funding sources, including Cal OES, CDBG (City of Santa Ana), and CalAIM/MCP contracts. This role is responsible for maintaining funder compliance, audit readiness, and high-quality, trauma-informed, person-centered service delivery.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related field required
Minimum one year of experience in program coordination, grant-funded services, or supervisory roles
Strong understanding of trauma-informed and person-centered service delivery
Grant compliance, documentation oversight, and audit preparedness
Staff, intern, and volunteer supervision
Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing staff work. Assists with hiring employees and conducting performance appraisals.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with survivors of violence or vulnerable populations strongly preferred
Experience with public funding sources such as Cal OES, CDBG, Medi-Cal, or MCP-funded programs preferred
Experience supervising staff, interns, or volunteers preferred
Bilingual preferred (based on program needs)

Responsibilities

Support implementation and daily operations of site-based programs in alignment with approved scopes of work, contract requirements, and organizational policies.
Ensure services are delivered in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and person-centered manner across all programs.
Monitor caseloads, service delivery timelines, and participant engagement to ensure performance expectations are met.
Escalate operational, staffing, or compliance concerns to the Site Manager in a timely manner.
Oversee daily operations of the Victim Intervention Program serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence.
Supervise program staff, ensuring adherence to service standards, safety protocols, confidentiality, and documentation requirements.
Conduct regular case reviews and file audits to ensure compliance with Cal OES, CDBG, and other applicable funding requirements.
Support crisis response, safety planning, and coordination with internal leadership and external partners.
Support ongoing compliance with state, county, city, and healthcare funding sources, including Cal OES, CDBG (City of Santa Ana), and CalAIM/MCP contracts.
Monitor grant deliverables, service units, and performance benchmarks to ensure alignment with approved budgets and scopes of work.
Ensure timely, accurate, and complete documentation to support invoicing, reimbursement, and reporting requirements.
Assist with preparation for funder monitoring visits, audits, desk reviews, and corrective action plans.
Coordinate with Finance and Compliance teams to support billing, reporting, and audit readiness.
Assist the Site Manager in supporting CalAIM Community Supports operations, including Housing Navigation and Tenancy-related services.
Support staff adherence to CalOptima/MCP workflows, documentation standards, and service timelines.
Monitor productivity, service delivery, and billing readiness to support compliant reimbursement.
Participate in utilization reviews, internal audits, and quality improvement activities related to CalAIM services.
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance feedback to assigned program staff.
Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise undergraduate and graduate interns and volunteers, ensuring appropriate supervision, role clarity, and compliance with academic, grant, and organizational requirements.
Ensure interns and volunteers receive required training in confidentiality, mandated reporting, trauma-informed care, and program protocols.
Monitor intern and volunteer schedules, hours, and documentation.
Ensure accurate and timely data entry across required systems in compliance with funder, regulatory, and organizational standards.
Conduct routine internal audits of case files, service notes, and supporting documentation.
Ensure adherence to HIPAA, confidentiality requirements, mandated reporting laws, and organizational policies.
Identify risks and support corrective actions to maintain compliance and service quality.
Support site-wide operations in collaboration with the Site Manager, including scheduling, coverage planning, and workflow coordination.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and cross-program coordination efforts.
Collaborate with internal departments (Finance, Compliance, HR) and external partners as needed.
Provide back-up for program needs in the absence of staff or as directed by the Director.
Carry a caseload if needed.
Serve as a member of the management team.
Support collaboration with community partners, referral sources, funders, and educational institutions.
Represent programs in meetings, trainings, and collaborative efforts as assigned.
Perform additional duties as assigned to support site operations and organizational goals.