Senior Clinical Program Manager - CSS

The Senior Clinical Program Manager - CSS is fully responsible for planning, developing, and implementing clinical counseling program/project objectives, budget planning and appropriations, policies & procedures development, clinical staff management and advancement. Ensure department/program/project objectives are met. Has direct reports who are either licensed clinicians or associate clinicians, responsible for clinical supervision of counselors seeking licensure and serving high risk clients including suicidality or self-harm, harm to others, minors experiencing serious emotional disturbance and/or adults with serious mental illness. Responsible for policy, procedure, HIPAA, BBS, clinical ethical/legal and contractual compliance. Manages decisions with limited supervision, develops and implements unique solutions to problems on a regular basis. Oversees multiple programs/contracts/projects/initiatives with moderate to high staffing and/or client volume and high levels of clinical complexity. 
 

Learn more about YMCA Youth and Family Services programs CLICK HERE  
 

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)  
 

*This position is a temporary 6 month position with the possibility of converting to a regular, full-time exempt role*

SCHEDULE: 

• This position is Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM with occasional evenings based on client needs
   

WORK DESIGNATION:

• In-Person at our North Park office 
  • Travel throughout San Diego County based on programmatic need
  • Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs 

PROGRAM & POSITION SUMMARY: 

We are launching a nature-informed Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for young adults, integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Polyvagal Theory, and trauma-informed care. The program emphasizes experiential modalities, nervous system regulation, and healing through connection with nature.

We’re seeking a licensed mental health professional to serve as Senior Clinical Social Services Program Manager, leading program development, clinical oversight, and direct care. This full-time, in-person leadership role includes:

• Supervising clinical staff and interns
• Delivering group, DBT, polyvagal-informed therapy and healing experiences in green spaces, including guided nature walks and outdoor mindfulness practices
• Shaping daily operations and clinical programming
• Supporting policy and process development for Joint Commission accreditation and compliance
• Collaborating with a culturally responsive, forward-thinking team

Ideal candidates bring strong DBT and polyvagal expertise, proven leadership experience, and a passion for innovative, nature-immersive mental health care.

• Manages number of programs/projects/contracts (3 or more) with high complexity, provides guidance to staff implementing programs to ensure compliance and support for working with vulnerable clients, high regulatory requirements (HIPAA, BBS, MHSA, Medi-Cal, etc.). Must adhere to regulatory requirements, fidelity to service models, funder requirements and other regulations. Impact of compliance error is moderate to high.
• Interacts directly with clients or addresses client-related issues regularly (on a daily to weekly basis), overseeing counseling, case management, and clinical rehabilitation services for clients exhibiting moderate to high behavioral complexity and moderate to high behavioral or social challenges. These clients typically present with moderate to high acuity needs. Non-routine problems are encountered regularly and require unique solutions. Failure to meet client needs could result in serious negative outcomes including health and regulatory impacts. Interactions may also involve high-level stakeholders, necessitating negotiation skills, tact, and persuasion.
• Supervises associate clinicians and program staff, requires strict adherence to State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences’ regulations for associate clinicians and supervision.
• Manages high-risk situations, makes decisions with significant implications including client wellbeing, health, contract, funder, or regulatory body requirements (legal and ethical), financial health, reputational position at the branch/organizational level. Error can result in direct and irrevocable consequences.
• Prepares and disseminates info to targeted audiences, supports in communications efforts, regularly contributes content. Requires regular collaboration with internal and external stakeholders including systems level contributions and maintaining partnerships with community organizations and/or stakeholders, or to increase revenue/funding opportunities (support grant writing processes). Contribute to advocacy efforts, but not regularly.
• Operates a flagship clinical program that often influences Association strategic priorities. Often supports community mental health with other organizations (school suicide deployment, mental health first aid deployment during crises/emergencies).
• Manages, oversees, and approves budget and spending amounting to less than $5M annually, ensuring budget remains on target. Manages accounting related operations including approvals, processing, ensures compliance with contract/grant regulations. Manages contractors and vendors.
• Ensures mitigation strategies are developed and implemented to reduce client level and organizational risk, including contracts/service deliverables, and program and department objectives.
• Other duties as assigned 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County  
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Individual Contributors (Direct Service, Administrative Staff, and/or Volunteers Etc.)
• Provides clinical supervision to associates, ensuring compliance with BBS licensing requirements and best practices 

EDUCATION:

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work or Professional Clinical Counselor is required AND, 

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of nine (9) years of progressive experience in any of the following or a combination thereof: 
  • Type of Experience: 
    • Minimum two (2) years of post-licensure experience required to provide clinical supervision, in accordance with Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) regulations and must be in full compliance with all continuing education requirements required
    • Implementing complex contracts, services, or projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with funder requirements
    • Managing program budgets, including tracking expenditures, adhering to grant or contract requirements, and ensuring fiscal responsibility
    • Supervising, mentoring, and developing staff, fostering a positive and inclusive team culture, and addressing performance management
    • Building and maintaining partnerships with funders, community stakeholders, and other collaborators to advance program goals
    • Working directly with clients in a clinical setting with at least 3,000 Associate hours while under the supervision of a licensed clinician, overseeing daily client interactions, case management, and clinical service delivery while ensuring the application of evidence-based practices, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care
  • Setting/Environment:
    • Experience in youth and family clinical services delivered within community-based environments, focusing on direct client support, culturally responsive programming, and collaboration with stakeholders to address diverse needs 
  • License & Certification:
    • Licensed by the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required.  

JOB COMPETENCIES: 

• Strong communication skills to effectively interact with internal and external stakeholders
• Client-centered approach, ensuring services are delivered with cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based practices
• Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities to address challenges and find solutions
• Team collaboration and support to foster a positive and inclusive team environment
• Adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing priorities and dynamic program needs
• Ability to manage crises effectively, ensuring swift and appropriate responses
• Proficient in using program/funder databases, and skilled in documentation, data analysis, and reporting practices 

PRE-HIRE CONTINGENCIES: 

• Licensing, state law and our government funders are required that all staff (hybrid, remote, or onsite) within YMCA San Diego County are fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
• Position will require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:
  
  • Negative TB test results obtained within the past one year, prior to first day, and annually thereafter, as required
  • Pass pre-employment drug testing prior to first day
  • Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.