Interim Assistant Program Manager for Homeless Veteran Mental Health Services

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary Interim Assistant Program Manager 35 hours per week / $35.00 per hour (The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

• Provide direct supervision to and take leadership responsibilities for team members during program or service activities.
• Provide direct supervision to assigned team members based on housing first and psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment and services.

Under the general supervision of the program manager, assist in providing leadership and coordination to a multi-disciplinary team providing service to homeless, at risk of homelessness, and veteran households.

This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider. The agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).

• In collaboration with and under the direction of the Program Manager, responsible for oversight of day-to-day program operations; day-to-day support and guidance to team overseeing the delivery of services.
• Delegate daily tasks and ensure proper coordination of care and services to veterans being served by OHH program.
• Report to and problem solve with Program Manager any trends and/or program needs to encourage overall quality of services and staff development.
• Provide direct supervision to team members, ensuring high quality Recovery-oriented services are being provided to veterans participating in the OHH program.
• In collaboration with and under the direction of the Program Manager, recruit, hire, supervise, train, direct, evaluate, reward, discipline and terminate assigned staff in accordance with organizational policy and applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide timely information, feedback, and solution-focused resolutions to OHH Program Manager with regard to emergent staff, team or participant issues.
• In collaboration with Program Manager, monitor tracking outcomes and program budget and use knowledge of budget to guide service decisions made by team (i.e., to guide how many Homeless Prevention veterans to serve, to ensure appropriate spending down of Temporary Financial Assistance, etc.).
• Oversee program documentation standards of staff. Provide coaching to correct errors and recommend/provide technical assistance when needed.
• Represent MHALA and participate as a manager in meetings with the Veterans Administration, community partners and team. Disseminate relevant information to the team in a timely manner.
• In collaboration with and as assigned by Program Manager, prepare and submit data quality/outcomes reports.
• Stay current with technical and administrative changes in various housing programs and their requirements.
• Represent MHALA at funder, community housing provider, HUD-VASH and other meetings and events focused on homelessness and Veteran Homelessness as directed by Program Manager.
• 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.
• Provide leadership and guidance when Program Manager is not available.
• Other collateral duties as may be assigned.

• Bachelor degree in a human service or related field or certification in a mental health specialty i.e. RN, LVN, LPT, drug alcohol rehab counselor preferred.
• Minimum 1 years of experience providing psychosocial rehabilitative services to a disabled population plus experience in a supervisory/leadership role. Veteran status preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and leadership to diverse staff who possess a wide range of skills, abilities, and professional competencies.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with ability to foster team cohesion, create buy-in, and inspire others to exemplify MHALA values in their interactions with participants, colleagues, and the community.
• Must have good basic English writing skills, and be highly organized.
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Must be or quickly become familiar with the Veterans Administration system as well as HUD programs.
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Must be or quickly become familiar with 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.
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends when necessary.
• 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.
• 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.

Salary $35.00 per hour