PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OPERATIONS

San Diego, CA | Point Loma | Full-Time, Salaried
Expected Starting Salary: $118,995 – $147,000
California BBS License Required: LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC
100% On-Site Leadership Role | No Remote or Hybrid Work
Must Be Available for Urgent Program Needs Outside Regular Business Hours

Lead a Program. Build a Team. Make an Impact.

Telecare is seeking an experienced behavioral health leader to serve as Program Administrator in San Diego.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for someone who knows how to bring together clinical quality, strong teams, customer partnerships, and sound financial operations. As the Program Administrator, you will have responsibility for the overall performance of the program—from the quality of care delivered to the culture you create, the leaders you develop, the relationships you build, and the financial health of the operation.

If you are an experienced behavioral health leader who enjoys owning results, developing strong teams, and improving programs, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Position Details

Schedule: Full-Time, Salaried | Approximately 40 hours per week
Program Hours: Generally 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Point Loma, San Diego – conveniently located near I-5 and I-8
Work Arrangement: Fully on-site; this position is not remote or hybrid
Leadership Availability: As the senior program leader, must be available to respond to urgent operational needs by phone or other communication outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends when necessary

Compensation

The expected starting salary range is $118,995.46 – $147,000.00.

Starting compensation is based on relevant experience above the minimum qualifications and applicable geographic differentials.

Required Qualifications

• Current California BBS license in good standing as an LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC

• Master’s degree in Social Services or a related qualifying discipline with applicable state licensure

• Four (4) years of experience in an administrative management position within a healthcare setting

• Two (2) years of experience with responsibility for professional staff supervision, budgeting, program planning, and licensing

• Understanding of community mental health services, psychiatric rehabilitation concepts, and recovery philosophy

• Must be at least 21 years of age

• Must meet applicable CPR, First Aid, and CPI certification requirements

• Must successfully complete all applicable post-offer employment requirements, including background clearances, health screening, TB testing, exclusion checks, and degree/license verification

• If driving is required, must maintain a valid driver's license, acceptable motor vehicle record, and required automobile insurance

Additional regulatory, contractual, or local requirements may apply.

What Success Looks Like

At Telecare, we evaluate operational excellence across four key areas:

Clinical Quality Excellence
You create an environment where teams are prepared, supported, and accountable for providing safe, consistent, high-quality care. You understand behavioral health operations and know how to turn clinical standards into daily practice.

Workforce Engagement
You build strong leadership teams and workplace cultures where employees want to stay, grow, and succeed. You understand that employee engagement, retention, accountability, and development directly affect the quality of care we provide.

Customer Satisfaction
You develop trusted partnerships with county and state agencies, community organizations, customers, families, and other stakeholders. You represent Telecare professionally and respond effectively as community and customer needs evolve.

Financial Security
You understand the business side of healthcare. You can manage within an established budget, evaluate operational decisions through a financial lens, and balance fiscal responsibility with excellent member care.

The Leader We’re Looking For

Our strongest Program Administrators combine operational discipline with thoughtful, people-centered leadership.

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Have successfully led complex behavioral health or healthcare operations

• Know how to establish expectations and hold leaders and teams accountable

• Can develop managers and build leadership bench strength

• Are comfortable managing budgets, staffing, compliance, and program performance

• Build productive relationships with customers and community partners

• Can navigate difficult or rapidly changing situations with sound judgment

• Seek feedback, demonstrate self-awareness, and continue developing as a leader

• Know when to collaborate and when decisive leadership is needed

• Are highly organized and comfortable managing multiple competing priorities

• Are passionate about behavioral health, recovery, and improving outcomes for the people we serve

What You’ll Lead

Clinical Quality & Program Operations

As Program Administrator, you will oversee the overall administrative and operational functioning of the program. Responsibilities include:

• Planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating program operations

• Establishing the strategic direction and priorities of the program

• Ensuring compliance with Telecare policies, procedures, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations

• Overseeing quality assurance and performance improvement efforts

• Serving as the program's privacy contact and ensuring required HIPAA records, logs, and systems are maintained

• Providing clinical supervision and oversight as applicable

• Supporting and evaluating licensed staff when required

• Maintaining readiness for regulatory, licensing, and customer requirements

• Ensuring program operations remain responsive to the needs of members served

• Remaining accessible for urgent operational issues that may arise outside standard business hours

People & Culture

You will set the tone for the program's leadership culture and employee experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Establishing and communicating a clear vision for the program

• Building a culture aligned with Telecare's mission, purpose, values, and beliefs

• Leading and developing department managers

• Establishing appropriate staffing requirements across program departments

• Partnering with Talent Acquisition and program leadership on recruitment and selection

• Supporting employee development, performance management, accountability, and retention

• Ensuring program policies and procedures are consistently implemented

• Creating an environment where employees can perform meaningful work and grow professionally

• Serving as the primary connection between program operations and Telecare's corporate and regional teams

Customer & Community Partnerships

The Program Administrator serves as a key representative of Telecare within the community.

You will:

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with state and local agency representatives

• Partner with county customers and community organizations

• Respond proactively as customer and community needs change

• Represent Telecare's commitment to high-quality care and responsible stewardship

• Maintain strong relationships with members served, families, customers, and other key stakeholders

Depending on the program, community partnerships may include local law enforcement, crisis systems, and San Diego's Access and Crisis Line.

Financial Leadership

You will be responsible for helping ensure the long-term operational and financial health of the program by:

• Managing operations within allocated budgetary parameters

• Participating in development of the program's fiscal budget

• Monitoring staffing and other operational expenses

• Making thoughtful operational decisions that balance quality, workforce needs, and financial responsibility

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• Strong healthcare or behavioral health operational leadership

• Financial and budget management

• Team building and leadership development

• Performance management and accountability

• Knowledge of applicable healthcare and behavioral health regulations

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Excellent customer and community relations

• Strategic planning and problem solving

• Change leadership

• Organization and prioritization

• Public speaking and presentation skills

• Knowledge of psychiatric conditions and recovery principles

• Knowledge and experience with American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria, when applicable

What’s In It for You

Telecare offers eligible full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 16.7 days of Paid Time Off during your first year

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k)

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

• Free continuing education opportunities

• Online university tuition discounts

• Company scholarship opportunities

At Telecare, you will have the opportunity to lead meaningful work while helping individuals with complex behavioral health needs move toward recovery.

If you are an experienced licensed behavioral health leader ready to take ownership of a program, develop an exceptional team, and drive both clinical and operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.

EOE AA M/F/V/Disability