Job Description

Position Title:

Program Manager - School-Based Services

Reports To:

Director of Community-Based Services

Direct Report(s):

Clinical Supervisor(s), interns, other assigned staff

Classification:

Exempt; Salary; Full-Time

Position Summary

The Program Manager - School-Based Services provides program-level leadership and management for VOA Alaska's behavioral health and support services delivered in school settings. The Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations and performance of School-Based Services, including coordination with schools and districts, staff deployment, access and scheduling, and overall program logistics.


The Program Manager directly supervises designated supervisory roles and works through them to support and hold accountable school-based staff. The Program Manager monitors key program metrics, supports implementation of VOA Alaska's philosophy and model of care in school settings, and ensures that school-based operations and practices align with organizational policies and regulatory, payer, and contract requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide daily leadership for School-Based Services so students, families, and school partners experience responsive, well-coordinated support and clear communication.


Oversee school-based program operations, including staff deployment across schools, scheduling of individual and group services during the school day, and coordination with school calendars, bell schedules, and school events.


Work to reduce barriers to engagement, such as scheduling conflicts, communication gaps, and school-day constraints, and support approaches that increase access, participation, and sustained involvement of students and families.


Work closely with the Anchorage School District and individual principals, assistant principals, and school staff to manage referrals, clarify roles and expectations, address communication challenges, and support strong, collaborative school relationships.


Coordinate staffing and daily coverage by working with Clinical Supervisors to ensure school sites have adequate coverage to meet service and safety expectations.


Directly supervise assigned supervisors, provide regular check-ins and feedback, and hold them accountable for staff supervision, service quality, and implementation of expectations within their teams.


Monitor program-level metrics such as referral sources and volume, school and family engagement, service intensity and duration, attendance at sessions and groups, completion patterns, utilization, and feedback from students, caregivers, and school partners, and use this information with the Director and clinical leaders to guide improvement.


Support implementation of grants and contracts within School-Based Services by understanding program requirements and deliverables, helping ensure accurate data collection and reporting, and aligning school-based workflows with funder expectations.


Ensure that school-based documentation is complete, timely, and accurate and adheres to payer requirements, ASAM criteria when applicable, CARF standards, school district expectations, and other regulatory or contractual requirements.


Ensure that school-based operations and staff practices comply with VOA Alaska policies and procedures, documentation standards, and regulatory and payer expectations, including Medicaid and education- or grant-related requirements.


Support incident reporting, safety practices, and crisis response within School-Based Services in collaboration with supervisors and other leaders, including ensuring appropriate documentation, communication with schools and families, and follow-up.


Collaborate with clinical and school-based leaders to support consistent implementation of VOA Alaska's philosophy and model of care in school settings, including trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate approaches.


Support program-level orientation and training from an operational perspective and reinforce expectations related to workflow, communication with school staff and families, documentation, and collaboration.


Serve as an operational point of contact for School-Based Services with internal departments (Community-Based Services, Outpatient, Residential, Medical and psychiatric providers, Admissions/Access, Billing, QA/Compliance, HR, IT, Operations/Facilities) and with external partners such as schools, districts, and other youth-serving organizations.


Participate in division and organizational meetings and workgroups as assigned and help implement changes and initiatives at the School-Based Services program level.

Skills

Program operations - Manages daily School-Based Services workflows, including staff deployment across schools, scheduling within school calendars and bell schedules, and coordination of logistics at school sites.


Supervision through leaders - Directly supervises school-based supervisory staff (for example, Clinical Supervisor, School-Based Family/Wraparound Supervisor) and works through them to support and hold accountable school-based staff.


School and family engagement - Understands the dynamics of working in school environments and with families and helps shape access, communication, and engagement strategies that work for students, caregivers, and school staff.


Trauma-informed, culturally responsive practice - Supports a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate approach in school-based services and reinforces these expectations with supervisors and staff.


Communication and coordination - Communicates effectively with staff, students and families, school personnel, internal departments, and community partners and coordinates across teams and systems to support smooth operations and strong school relationships.

Qualifications

Education - Bachelor's degree in behavioral health, social services, education, health administration, or a related field is required; an equivalent combination of education and extensive relevant work experience may be considered. A master's degree in a behavioral health or related field is preferred but not required.


Experience - Extensive experience in behavioral health, education, youth- and family-serving, or healthcare programs, typically at least three years, with school-based, community-based, or family-focused services strongly preferred; one to two years in a lead, supervisory, or coordination role is preferred.


Knowledge and other requirements - Familiarity with school- and community-based behavioral health operations, documentation standards, and basic payer, grant, and contract requirements (including Medicaid, ASAM, and CARF where applicable, and school district expectations) is preferred; ability to pass all required background checks and clearances; commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice; ability to work a schedule that supports school-based operations, which may include some early mornings and early evenings; valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Works in office areas. Interacts with staff, consultants, and outside vendors. May be subjected to interruptions throughout the workday.


While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. The vision requirement includes close vision.

Acknowledgement

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you may be required to perform. The omission of specific descriptions of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or can be considered essential to this position.