Home to Hope Program Manager - Reentry & Behavioral Health Support (Grant-Funded)

This is a two-year pilot grant-funded position through Opioid Settlement and/or Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority funding. The position may transition into a permanent role after the grant period based on budget availability and program outcomes. 

The Home to Hope program is moving from case-by-case assistance to a structured, phased program, and the Program Manager will lead that work. A key function of this position is designing the program framework, services, and educational materials that help returning residents move from crisis to stability and, over time, to self-sufficiency.

The Home to Hope Program Manager – Reentry & Behavioral Health Support performs responsible, complex professional and administrative work requiring initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to manage program functions aligned with the City’s strategic priorities. Home to Hope helps Charlottesville-area residents returning from incarceration rebuild stable lives through peer navigation, individual case planning, and connections to housing, employment, treatment, and education. This position designs and manages the program model, daily operations, supportive-service systems, internal controls, and program evaluation functions of the Home to Hope Reentry Program and supervises a team of peer navigators with lived experience of reentry. The Program Manager contributes to the implementation of Council and organizational priorities by ensuring that program operations are grounded in transparent decision-making, clear communication, and accountable administrative practices. The role collaborates with staff in the Office of the Chief Prosperity Officer and key partners across the organization to support the City Manager’s vision for operational and organizational excellence.

This position is expected to model a disciplined, empathetic, strategic, and collaborative leadership approach consistent with the City’s organizational excellence performance standard. The Program Manager works as an engaged and accountable member of the Prosperity Office teams supporting the Chief Prosperity Officer in developing, executing, and evaluating initiatives that strengthen equity, economic mobility, and reentry success for justice-involved residents.

The hiring amount for this position is not to exceed $80,000 Annually. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following leave and retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.
• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.


Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Program Design & Development

• Leads the design and build-out of the Home to Hope program framework, including a phased participant pathway from crisis to stability and self-sufficiency, in collaboration with the CPO and Peer Navigators.
• Develops intake and assessment tools, participant goal plans, progress measures, and graduation criteria.
• Designs and delivers educational services, workshops, and materials for adult participants, and builds partnerships with providers who offer services at each program phase.
• Develops orientation, training, and practice guides that help Peer Navigators carry out the program model consistently.

Program Management & Operations

• Manages the full operational and administrative functions of the Home to Hope program, including coordination of processes, procedures, staff workflows, and supportive-service infrastructure.
• Develops, implements, and maintains program policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and internal controls for service delivery, documentation, fiscal accuracy, inventory, and compliance.
• Oversees the procurement, tracking, safe storage, and distribution of all supportive-service resources, including rental assistance, emergency assistance, gift cards, mobile phones, phone-minute/data cards, transportation supports, and other participant stabilization items.
• Ensures accurate and timely processing of all program-related purchases and participant financial supports, in accordance with City fiscal policies.
• Monitors caseload trends and service needs and provides operational guidance to Peer Navigators to ensure effective and equitable service delivery.

Behavioral Health, SUD/OUD & Harm Reduction Development

• Leads the creation of Home to Hope’s first behavioral health/SUD/OUD harm-reduction and support framework in collaboration with the CPO and Peer Navigators.
• Develops internal processes for identifying, documenting, and tracking participants affected by SUD, OUD, or co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Designs workflows ensuring participants receive appropriate referrals for behavioral health and harm-reduction supports.
• Integrates behavioral health/SUD/OUD considerations into phased-based supportive-service models, rental assistance processing, and participant stabilization plans.

Program Evaluation, Performance Measurement & Data Systems

• Designs and manages internal systems for data collection, program evaluation, performance metrics, and participant outcomes tracking.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports program data related to reentry supports, service utilization, behavioral health/SUD/OUD indicators, housing stability, and participant outcomes.
• Produces monthly, quarterly, and annual reports required by the CPO and City leadership and develops data dashboards or summaries to support program oversight and decision-making.
• Conducts trend analysis and recommends program improvements to enhance equity, participant experience, and program impact.

OAA Compliance, Fiscal Oversight & Reporting

• Serves as the primary administrative lead for all opioid abatement–related reporting and compliance functions required under the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority grant.
• Establishes and maintains systems for tracking performance measures, participant outcomes, behavioral health/SUD/OUD-related indicators, supportive-service distribution, and fiscal controls.
• Ensures financial transactions and program activities align with the OAA’s allowable uses, documentation standards, and non-supplanting requirements.
• Prepares required reports for grant compliance, audits, and performance review, and coordinates with City departments as needed to ensure accurate documentation and accountability.

Staff Supervision, Coaching & Leadership

• Provides day-to-day supervision, workflow oversight, coaching, scheduling coordination, and support for the Peer Navigator I and Peer Navigator II.
• Monitors staff performance, documentation accuracy, and adherence to program expectations; provides coaching and constructive feedback as needed.
• Supports training, professional development, and trauma-responsive service approaches for navigators.

Stakeholder & Cross-Agency Coordination

• Attends select external meetings (e.g., Mental Health Coalition or reentry-aligned committees) to represent program needs, gather information, and strengthen cross-system alignment.
• Collaborates with internal City departments and partners to ensure coordinated service delivery and remove systemic barriers for participants.

Other Duties

• Prepares reports, presentations, and communication materials as needed.
• Performs additional duties to support program operations or departmental needs as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Services, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or other relevant field AND at least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in human services, reentry programming, behavioral health navigation, program management, program evaluation, case coordination, or a highly related field.

• Associates degree in Human Services, Social Services, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or other relevant field
  AND at least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in human services, reentry programming, behavioral health navigation, program management, program evaluation, case coordination, or a highly related field.

• High School Diploma or GED AND at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in human services, reentry programming, behavioral health navigation, program management, program evaluation, case coordination, or a highly related field.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred:

• Experience designing programs, service models, or curricula for adults, including setting goals and measuring outcomes.
• Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) certification or equivalent peer support credential; AND/ OR Qualified Mental Health Professional–Adult (QMHP-A), or eligibility for QMHP-A registration; OR Certification or coursework in Substance Abuse Counseling (CSAC or CSAC-A); AND/OR Formal training in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, crisis response, or behavioral health navigation.
• Experience working with justice-involved individuals, individuals affected by SUD/OUD, or those with co-occurring mental health needs.
• Experience supervising staff or providing structured workflow oversight, coaching, or functional supervision.
• Experience leading or supervising individuals in peer roles.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics: 
Job Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, processes, systems, conditions and/or support of and for the program participants. 
• Thorough knowledge of office administrative practices and of applicable Federal, State, and local regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of program design and adult learning principles, including building curricula, assessment tools, and participant pathways.
• Knowledge of program management, workflow development, and quality assurance practices.
• Knowledge of relevant internal and/or community partner agencies.
• Knowledge of databases and other methods to track data, performance measurements, and maintain accurate records.

Reading

• Advanced: ability to read and understand complex written materials such as regulations, technical reports, analyses, reference materials, complex financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to research, compile, analyze, and interpret data and outcomes.

Writing

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, prepare business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Composes clear and accurate written communications including program SOPs, evaluation tools/findings, and written internal controls.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to work with and understand number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement such as technical specifications, budget preparation and financial operations.  

Communication Skills

• Advanced:  Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, City officials, clients, external agencies, business leaders, citizen groups, and the public, both orally and in writing. Effectively communicates revised program policies and makes recommendations regarding implementation. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. May involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interaction. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Evaluates program, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Ability to design and manage program administration workflows, databases, tracking systems, etc. Skill in the use of a variety of standard office machines and software packages. Intermediate skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.) and ability to effectively use agency systems and software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Completes research for documents, compiles data for computer entry, and/or enters or oversees data entry. Has responsibility for monitoring budget/fiscal expenditures (typically non-discretionary expenditures) for a program, activity, project or small organizational unit. May, depending on assignment, review/approve expenditures, assist in oversight of program budget, budget preparation, and recommend budget allocations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead Worker: Guides, instructs, provides direction, assigns, and monitors work of others. May evaluate, or provides input on, program staff performance and of program service delivery and needs.

Other Characteristics

• Organization and time management skill, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Frequent change of tasks, interruptions and requests for service.
• Independently performs multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Must work effectively with sensitive and confidential information or issues.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May require emergency response.
• May be required to work outside normal work schedule such as evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Remains in stationary position most of the time.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Ability to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust. Environment may be noisy, crowded, and fast-paced. The position involves regular interaction with justice-involved individuals and community members who may be managing trauma, mental health conditions, substance use, homelessness, or other complex needs. Circumstances may require responding to distressed or frustrated individuals and managing challenging interpersonal dynamics. The position requires maintaining composure, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries while working effectively with sensitive and confidential information.