HERO Program Director

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 the 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 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 operation, planning, organizing and management of the facility/programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Oversight & Supervision

• Provide supervision, guidance, coaching and staff development for the Program Manager, licensed clinicians and Resident Support Specialists of the HERO programs.
  
• 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 to ensure quality and effectiveness of care.
  
• 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).
  
• Maintain a consistent on-site presence and provide oversight for the 24/7 HERO residential, intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient (OP) 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

• Lead programmatic planning, implementation, and evaluation in collaboration with the Chief Program Officer (CPO).
  
• 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 Chief Program Officer to oversee all billing operations, including state parole/probation vouchers, federal offender reimbursements, Veterans Administration billing, 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.
  

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 clinical and support staff.
  
• Serve as a liaison between leadership and front-line staff to promote transparency and effective communication.
  

Confidentiality and 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 with office and record security protocols to safeguard client files, electronic medical records, and other confidential information.
  

Professional Growth and Development

• Participate in regular supervision sessions to review clinical cases, 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.
  
• Active LIMHP (Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner) and/or LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) in the state of Nebraska.
  
• Minimum 3-5 years of clinical experience in a dual diagnosis or addiction treatment setting.
  
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and evidence-based practices.
  
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
  
• Proven experience in administrative leadership roles with progressively increased responsibility and staff supervision.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge and hands-on experience managing CARF accreditation standards and compliance processes.
  
• Skilled in program development, implementation, and budget management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational goals.
  
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
  
• Capable of working independently with sound judgment, discretion, and minimal supervision.
  
• Committed to providing culturally responsive services and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), with strong computer literacy.
  
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong time management skills.
  
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, multitask, and manage both short- and long-term projects in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Collaborative and responsive team leader, capable of working efficiently under pressure while fostering a supportive, accountable, and ethical work environment.
  
• Dedicated to maintaining strict confidentiality in all matters related to client care, documentation, and internal HERO program operations.
  

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions successfully. The role is performed primarily in an indoor office setting and is not subject to exposure to adverse weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate. Full-time, salaried position with on-call responsibilities as needed, including occasional evening or weekend duties.

Standing - Periodically

Sitting - Periodically

Kneeling - Periodically

Pushing/Pulling- Periodically

Lifting up to 20 pounds - Periodically

Great health benefits:

Salary: $75,000-$95,000

Medical

Dental, Vision, STD are covered 100%

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!

22% Discount at Verizon Wireless

Free on-site lunches

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!