Assistant Program Manager for Veteran Mental Health Services

About the position Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is a nonprofit mental health agency that has been providing services, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century. MHALA serves over 19,000 individuals annually with integrated services in mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth. The agency also provides training programs for the behavioral health workforce and the community. MHALA emphasizes a healthy work/life balance, communication, collaboration, and transparency, encouraging self-care and offering a 35-hour workweek. They foster diversity and a team-oriented culture with opportunities for growth, offering competitive salaries and a full benefits package, including an employee assistance program and generous paid time off. The Assistant Program Manager supports the Program Manager in the day-to-day operations of the Operation Healthy Homecoming Supportive Services for Veteran Families (OHH SSVF) program. This role focuses on operational oversight, workflow management, data quality control, and frontline supervision to ensure housing-focused services are delivered in compliance with SSVF regulations, VA guidance, and agency policies. The Assistant Program Manager supports the implementation of policies, procedures, and performance benchmarks established by the Program Manager, but does not hold ultimate fiscal or programmatic authority.

Responsibilities

• Provide general oversight and take leadership responsibilities for team members during program or service activities.
• Assist in providing direct supervision to assigned team members based on housing first and psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment and services.
• Take part in the recruitment, hiring, supervision, training, direction, evaluation, reward, discipline and termination of assigned staff in accordance with organizational policy and applicable laws and regulations.
• Conduct regular evaluation of OHH program delivery and performance with a focus on program flow and veteran access to services during outreach, enrollment, and terminations.
• Identify operational barriers and service gaps and recommend corrective actions to the Program Manager.
• Oversee daily program flow including outreach, intake, eligibility review routing, housing placement coordination, and case closures.
• Monitor timeliness of enrollment, housing placement, and exits to ensure alignment with SSVF performance expectations.
• Provide timely information and feedback to OHH Program Manager regarding emergent staff, team or participant issues; and escalate performance or compliance concerns to the Program Manager.
• Provide leadership coverage in the absence of the Program Manager.
• Review case files for compliance with eligibility, housing status documentation, income verification, and required forms.
• Provide coaching and corrective feedback regarding documentation and service delivery standards.
• Monitor TFA usage trends and alert the Program Manager to potential over- or under-spending concerns.
• Ensure supporting documentation is complete prior to financial approvals being routed to leadership.
• Participate in HUD-VASH/SSVF case conferencing and community housing meetings as assigned.
• Represent MHALA at funder, community housing provider, HUD-VASH and other meetings and events focused on homelessness and Veteran Homelessness.
• Work with landlords and property management companies and generate housing opportunities through advocacy, information and education.
• Stay current with technical and administrative changes in various housing programs and their requirements.
• Provide leadership and guidance when Program Manager is not available.
• Advocate for social justice and systems change at a macro level when opportunities are available.
• Network with other veteran and mainstream service agencies to share ideas and resources, develop effective programs, solve common problems and maintain a professional network of referral resources for housing and support services.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience providing psychosocial rehabilitative services to a disabled population required.
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and leadership to diverse staff who possess a wide range of skills, abilities, and professional competencies.
• Must have good basic English writing skills and be highly organized.
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Knowledge of the Veterans Administration system as well as HUD programs.
• Knowledge with using and reporting through HMIS.
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local housing subsidy programs and the sources available for them.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with public and private housing providers, mental health consumers and their family members or client advocates, vendors and other staff.
• Ability to track and interpret complex data sets for the program services and budget.
• Must be detail oriented, and able to prioritize and juggle multiple projects without losing productivity.
• Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment.
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor’s degree in human service or related field or certification in a mental health specialty i.e. LCSW, ASW, RN, LVN, LPT, drug alcohol rehab counselor preferred.
• Experience in a supervisory/leadership role; non-profit social service agency experience preferred.
• Veteran status preferred.
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment.
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period.

Benefits

• Employee assistance program
• Generous paid time off
• Competitive salary
• Full benefits package

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