LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Program Services Coordinator to join our ACTS team! The Program Services Coordinator (PSC) manages the After Care Transition Services (ACTS) team, which consist of case managers that provide supportive services to young adults, within a 30-county region of central Texas, who have aged out of foster care. This position ensures adherence to program outcomes by providing training, supervision, data oversight, and working side-by-side with team members, while also carrying a half caseload of clients themselves. The PSC ensures the team is actively engaged in the community and equipped to support clients in navigating their foster care benefits, local community resources, and internal supportive service opportunities at LifeWorks.

This full time, exempt position earns a competitive rate and benefits, including 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; quarterly re-charge days, a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates and assists in the development, delivery, and management of program services according to the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) contract.
• Hires, trains, and coaches staff to provide effective supportive services within the community to highly vulnerable youth and young adults who may have a history of complex trauma.
• Holds staff accountable for meeting individual and program performance objectives by coaching, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; conducting training; implementing and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures.
• Creates a person-centered culture that uplifts the dignity and strengths of clients at all times and creates a welcoming and inviting reputation for clients as well as internal and external partners.
• Builds a healthy service environment that is conducive to harmonious interactions between clients and staff.
• Provides guidance and mediation for complex and highly visible crisis situations with youth who may have experienced complex trauma and severe mental health conditions.
• Builds teams’ strength in de-escalation and mediation to effectively steward conflict. Prioritizes preservation of relationships, benefit of the doubt, trust and safety in managing situations that arise.
• Assists in compilation, analysis, and reporting of program outcomes on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Acts as a liaison to other programs internally and establishes and maintains relationships with partner organizations and service providers in the community, especially contract partners with DFPS.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices in housing-first approach, harm reduction, and positive youth development with our young adult clients.
• Develops an expert level understanding of how to navigate benefits for youth who have aged out of foster care as well as housing interventions for young adults experiencing homelessness.
• Represents the ACTS program at leadership meetings as well as represent the agency and leadership decisions to their team.
• Upholds a positive culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability and humility throughout services and programming.
• Collaborates alongside other programs within LifeWorks such as our Rapid Rehousing, Street Outreach, YRC, Diversion, Shelter, Workforce Development and Counseling programs as well as external partners such as DFPS-PAL, Rural Community Centers, Workforce Solutions Centers, and local colleges.
• Meets all agency, program, contract, grant, and licensing standards, and policy compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field and (3) years’ experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred (1) year of supervisory experience.
• Lived experience with child welfare or justice systems, homelessness, mental health, etc. is preferred.
• Experience with databases; proficient level of experience with Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Bilingual (Preferred but not required)

ABOUT LIFEWORKS

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, we are a fearless advocate for youth who are on journeys to lives they love and stability for themselves and their families. LifeWorks goal is to be able to provide clients with the resources they need a place to call home, the chance to heal, and the opportunity to learn and to work. We have one of the most comprehensive continuums of housing and support options for vulnerable youth in the country. We are committed to innovative problem solving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve. A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow and develop your professional skills while making an immediate difference in the lives of youth and families in our community.