HERO Program Director
Thewillowoaksacademy, Lincoln, NE, United States
Stephen Center has served homeless and low-income individuals in Omaha since 1984 with the mission to partner with the community, families and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction and poverty. The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing offerings provide safe and secure housing while individuals and families complete an assessment of permanent housing options. All Stephen Center residents have access to dual diagnosis support services via the HERO addiction/recovery program. 100% of Stephen Center shelter supportive housing participants are living in poverty. Housing transition support identifies poverty barriers that may impact one’s ability to achieve or maintain permanent housing through case management, life skills, and behavioral health services. Stephen Center serves approximately 250 people daily in all programs.
Purpose: The HERO Program Director is responsible for the overall clinical and operational management of a 24/7 dual diagnosis addiction recovery program, ensuring delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services that meet client needs and comply with all applicable regulations. The Program Director provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for clinical/non-clinical staff, programming, and client care while fostering a trauma-informed, culturally competent, and client-centered approach to treatment. This role includes oversight of both mental health and substance use disorder services and ensures seamless integration of co-occurring care. The HERO Program Director reports to the Chief Programs Officer in all matters related to the programs.
Key Accountabilities: Oversight & Supervision
Provide supervision, guidance, coaching and staff development for all the HERO program staff; clinical and non-clinical.
Ensure all documentation (including assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes) is accurate, timely, and compliant with regulatory, licensing, and organizational requirements.
Conduct regular clinical chart audits, in conjunction with the finance department, to ensure accuracy, quality and effectiveness of care.
Review, develop and implement evidence-based programming that addresses co-occurring disorders.
Promote and maintain high ethical standards in clinical practice aligned with professional licensure requirements (e.g., LIMHP, LADC).
Responsible for maintaining a consistent on-site presence and providing oversight for the 24/7 HERO residential and non-residential substance use and co-occurring treatment programs.
Coordinate and assign interns to appropriate therapists; provide weekly supervision for master’s-level interns and support undergraduate students through scheduled discussions and learning contract reviews. Maintain regular communication and collaboration with university supervisors as needed.
Program Management & Compliance
Maintain program compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including CARF and DHHS standards.
Oversee accurate and timely billing practices, in partnership with the finance team.
Participate in audits and prepare documentation required for licensure and accreditation.
Contribute to the development of the organization’s mission and vision, and ensure alignment between strategic objectives and the goals of the HERO program.
Collaborate with the Finance Department to oversee all billing operations, including state parole/probation vouchers, federal offender reimbursements, Medicaid claims, and client self-pay transactions.
Team Leadership & Culture
Foster a culture-driven work environment grounded in open communication, mutual understanding, transparency, and effective conflict resolution.
Model healthy boundaries, professionalism, and trauma-informed care principles.
Provide regular coaching and performance evaluations to direct reports.
Lead weekly clinical team meetings and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Observe, train and follow-up on clinical group processing efficacy and engagement.
Client Care & Engagement
Monitor client progress and outcomes, ensuring individualized, client-centered plans of care.
Support coordination of care with external agencies, courts, probation officers, and family systems.
Foster an environment of dignity, grace, autonomy, and recovery.
Collaboration & Strategic Vision
Partner with the CPO to assess community needs and identify opportunities for program development.
Cultivate ongoing partnerships (e.g., community, universities, law enforcement, VA).
Develop and implement training initiatives for both clinical and support staff.
Serve as a liaison between leadership and front-line staff to promote transparency and effective communication.
Confidentiality & Compliance
Strictly adhere to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations to protect the confidentiality of all client health and substance use information.
Maintain the confidentiality of all agency operations, sensitive documentation, and internal communications.
Ensure compliance to safeguard client files, electronic medical records, and other confidential information.
Professional Growth and Development
Participate in regular supervision sessions to review clinical cases, group leadership, discuss treatment strategies, and monitor client progress.
Engage in ongoing personal and professional development through reading, research, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education activities to enhance therapeutic skills and maintain licensure as a mental health practitioner and/or alcohol and drug counselor.
Fulfill all agency-mandated training requirements in a timely and consistent manner.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
LIMHP (Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner) licensure in the State of Nebraska strongly preferred; however, candidates with active LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner) or LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) licensure will be considered. Dual licensure is preferred.
Minimum 2–4 years of clinical experience in a dual diagnosis or addiction treatment setting.
Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and evidence-based practices.
Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Proven experience in leadership roles with progressively increased responsibility and staff supervision.
Demonstrated knowledge and hands‑on experience managing accreditation standards and compliance processes.
Kneeling – Periodically
Pushing/Pulling – Periodically
Lifting up to 20 pounds – Periodically
Medical Dental, Vision, STD are covered 100%
Benefits
Salary: Based on Experience
Other Benefits include:
SIMPLE IRA with 3% match
Paid PTO
Complimentary Life Insurance, Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance
11 paid holidays
Free Planet Fitness membership to 36th & L location – $120 value!
Monthly employee engagement activities, recognition opportunities and more!
Stephen Center offers competitive salaries and a full array of benefits commensurate with NAM Guidelines.
Stephen Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Thank you for your interest in Stephen Center!
New Application To get started, tell us your name and email. We will send you a confirmation email response that will include a key and a link back to this application if you don't complete in one sitting, or if you want to check on the status.
If you previously started or completed an application and you would like to continue with the application or just check on the status, you should've been sent an email that included a job application key along with a link back to this page. Enter the key below, or if coming from the link, the key should be defaulted for you.
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Purpose: The HERO Program Director is responsible for the overall clinical and operational management of a 24/7 dual diagnosis addiction recovery program, ensuring delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services that meet client needs and comply with all applicable regulations. The Program Director provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for clinical/non-clinical staff, programming, and client care while fostering a trauma-informed, culturally competent, and client-centered approach to treatment. This role includes oversight of both mental health and substance use disorder services and ensures seamless integration of co-occurring care. The HERO Program Director reports to the Chief Programs Officer in all matters related to the programs.
Key Accountabilities: Oversight & Supervision
Provide supervision, guidance, coaching and staff development for all the HERO program staff; clinical and non-clinical.
Ensure all documentation (including assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes) is accurate, timely, and compliant with regulatory, licensing, and organizational requirements.
Conduct regular clinical chart audits, in conjunction with the finance department, to ensure accuracy, quality and effectiveness of care.
Review, develop and implement evidence-based programming that addresses co-occurring disorders.
Promote and maintain high ethical standards in clinical practice aligned with professional licensure requirements (e.g., LIMHP, LADC).
Responsible for maintaining a consistent on-site presence and providing oversight for the 24/7 HERO residential and non-residential substance use and co-occurring treatment programs.
Coordinate and assign interns to appropriate therapists; provide weekly supervision for master’s-level interns and support undergraduate students through scheduled discussions and learning contract reviews. Maintain regular communication and collaboration with university supervisors as needed.
Program Management & Compliance
Maintain program compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including CARF and DHHS standards.
Oversee accurate and timely billing practices, in partnership with the finance team.
Participate in audits and prepare documentation required for licensure and accreditation.
Contribute to the development of the organization’s mission and vision, and ensure alignment between strategic objectives and the goals of the HERO program.
Collaborate with the Finance Department to oversee all billing operations, including state parole/probation vouchers, federal offender reimbursements, Medicaid claims, and client self-pay transactions.
Team Leadership & Culture
Foster a culture-driven work environment grounded in open communication, mutual understanding, transparency, and effective conflict resolution.
Model healthy boundaries, professionalism, and trauma-informed care principles.
Provide regular coaching and performance evaluations to direct reports.
Lead weekly clinical team meetings and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Observe, train and follow-up on clinical group processing efficacy and engagement.
Client Care & Engagement
Monitor client progress and outcomes, ensuring individualized, client-centered plans of care.
Support coordination of care with external agencies, courts, probation officers, and family systems.
Foster an environment of dignity, grace, autonomy, and recovery.
Collaboration & Strategic Vision
Partner with the CPO to assess community needs and identify opportunities for program development.
Cultivate ongoing partnerships (e.g., community, universities, law enforcement, VA).
Develop and implement training initiatives for both clinical and support staff.
Serve as a liaison between leadership and front-line staff to promote transparency and effective communication.
Confidentiality & Compliance
Strictly adhere to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations to protect the confidentiality of all client health and substance use information.
Maintain the confidentiality of all agency operations, sensitive documentation, and internal communications.
Ensure compliance to safeguard client files, electronic medical records, and other confidential information.
Professional Growth and Development
Participate in regular supervision sessions to review clinical cases, group leadership, discuss treatment strategies, and monitor client progress.
Engage in ongoing personal and professional development through reading, research, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education activities to enhance therapeutic skills and maintain licensure as a mental health practitioner and/or alcohol and drug counselor.
Fulfill all agency-mandated training requirements in a timely and consistent manner.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
LIMHP (Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner) licensure in the State of Nebraska strongly preferred; however, candidates with active LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner) or LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) licensure will be considered. Dual licensure is preferred.
Minimum 2–4 years of clinical experience in a dual diagnosis or addiction treatment setting.
Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and evidence-based practices.
Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Proven experience in leadership roles with progressively increased responsibility and staff supervision.
Demonstrated knowledge and hands‑on experience managing accreditation standards and compliance processes.
Kneeling – Periodically
Pushing/Pulling – Periodically
Lifting up to 20 pounds – Periodically
Medical Dental, Vision, STD are covered 100%
Benefits
Salary: Based on Experience
Other Benefits include:
SIMPLE IRA with 3% match
Paid PTO
Complimentary Life Insurance, Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance
11 paid holidays
Free Planet Fitness membership to 36th & L location – $120 value!
Monthly employee engagement activities, recognition opportunities and more!
Stephen Center offers competitive salaries and a full array of benefits commensurate with NAM Guidelines.
Stephen Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Thank you for your interest in Stephen Center!
New Application To get started, tell us your name and email. We will send you a confirmation email response that will include a key and a link back to this application if you don't complete in one sitting, or if you want to check on the status.
If you previously started or completed an application and you would like to continue with the application or just check on the status, you should've been sent an email that included a job application key along with a link back to this page. Enter the key below, or if coming from the link, the key should be defaulted for you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr