Residential Program Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

BrightPath is opening a new short-term crisis stabilization home in the Twin Cities metro, and we're hiring the Program Manager who will run it.

This is a build role. The home opens in September 2026. You will help stand up the program, train the founding team, take the first referral, and set the standard for how this site operates — rather than inheriting someone else's systems.

BrightPath was selected to operate short-term residential crisis stabilization services for the seven-county metro region. Referrals come through the Metro Crisis Coordination Program (MCCP). If you already know that system, you know exactly what this work is and how much it matters.

• Two-bed, 245D-licensed residential crisis stabilization home serving youth on DD or CADI waivers
• Short-term by design — the county length-of-stay target is 90 days, and transition planning begins at intake, not at discharge
• Referrals originate from MCCP; BrightPath makes the final admission decision
• Acuity-based staffing from 1:1 to 3:1, adjusted as needs change, with 24/7 awake coverage
• Purpose-built environment: fenced yard, separate common living areas so people can be together or apart, and environmental modifications matched to individual support plans
• Located in Anoka or Ramsey County (site being finalized)

The young people referred to this program are in genuine crisis — losing a placement, boarding in a hospital, or at risk of commitment. Presentations commonly include physical and verbal aggression, self-harm and suicide risk, elopement, property destruction, and significant difficulty in school and relationships. Many carry trauma histories, and many arrive with co-occurring diagnoses.

They are also kids. The job is to make them feel safe again — physically, emotionally, and relationally — and then hand them off to a long-term setting that can hold what you built.

Intake and admission decisions. Review referrals within 24–48 hours, assess clinical risk and program fit, and make accept/deny recommendations in partnership with Operations. Coordinate intake logistics and readiness.

Behavior support and clinical programming. Develop initial behavior support plans at intake and update them at least every two weeks based on data. Track and analyze interfering behaviors. Train staff to implement plans with fidelity.

Crisis response leadership. Direct staff response during escalation. Hold the line on consistent, least-restrictive de-escalation. Review incidents within 24 hours and adjust programming accordingly.

Data and outcomes. Build and maintain behavior tracking systems. Read the trends and adjust interventions in real time. Report outcomes to internal leadership and county partners.

Transition planning. Start at intake. Coordinate with case managers, families, guardians, and receiving providers. Participate in recurring interdisciplinary team meetings. Drive timely, durable discharges — including shadowing, training, and warm handoffs to the next provider.

Team leadership. Train, coach, and develop the Behavior Technicians and Program Coordinators assigned to the site. Maintain consistency in service delivery even when staffing shifts.

Compliance and documentation. Ensure documentation meets 245D, Positive Support Rule, and organizational standards. Maintain 24-hour communication expectations. Keep the site audit-ready.

This is a high-acuity program and we do not expect you to absorb it alone.

• Residential Operations Director — your operational supervisor, weekly 1:1s, and primary escalation path
• Director of Training and Compliance — audit prep, corrective action, and workforce development
• In-house CPI-certified instructors — staff receive an 11-hour CPI course plus DBT-informed skills, trauma-informed practice, and motivational interviewing, well beyond 245D minimums
• Centralized recruiting and scheduling — we intentionally over-hire so acuity spikes don't become staffing emergencies
• Compliance and quality assurance team — incident review, data audits, and site evaluations

• Referral decisions within 48 hours
• Intake scheduled within 4 days of acceptance
• Behavior support plans updated biweekly and driven by data
• Documentation compliance at or above 95%
• Measurable reduction in interfering behaviors over the course of a stay
• Emergency services and psychiatric hospitalization used only as a genuine last resort
• Timely, well-prepared transitions to long-term placement

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Science, or a related field
• 3–5 years in behavioral health, crisis services, or high-acuity residential settings
• Experience supporting minors with complex behavioral needs
• Demonstrated experience managing interfering behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and elopement
• Minimum 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience in 245D-licensed services or comparable behavioral health residential programs
• Ability to translate clinical assessment into clear, actionable direction for direct care staff
• Sound decision-making in fast-moving, high-risk situations
• Valid driver's license and reliable, insured transportation

• Master's degree in a related field
• Licensure or certification — LICSW, LPCC, LMFT, or BCBA
• Experience conducting Functional Behavior Assessments and authoring behavior support plans
• Familiarity with MCCP, county crisis systems, DD/CADI case management, and positive support services
• Experience opening or standing up a new residential program
• Working knowledge of the Positive Support Rule and Minnesota Rule 9544 (EUMR)

• On-site leadership presence at a high-acuity youth crisis stabilization home
• Full-time, exempt; occasional off-hours availability for escalations and participation in a shared on-call rotation
• Fast-paced environment requiring flexibility and rapid response
• Driving for team meetings, appointments, school transportation coverage, and visits to the BrightPath corporate office in New Hope
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds, and to physically support individuals during behavioral interventions where required

Salary: $80,000-$90,000

• Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) for healthcare; some ICHRA-compatible plans allow HSA and/or FSA contributions
• Dental and vision insurance through Mutual of Omaha
• 401(k) with 3.5% company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ongoing professional development, including CPI certification pathways
• Employee recognition programs and team-building events

BrightPath was established to enable the freedom to pursue joy by providing quality residential services for individuals with disabilities. We emphasize the benefit of self-determination so that each person has maximum opportunities to exercise choices that guide them on the path to maximum independence — embracing, supporting, and honoring each person's individuality in a setting integrated in the community.

We operate licensed adult CRS programs, children's foster care residential sites for rate-exception youth, and crisis respite services. Few providers in Minnesota work across all three, which is exactly why we can stabilize someone quickly and move them into the right long-term placement instead of holding them indefinitely.

If you've been waiting for a chance to build a crisis program the way it should be built — with clinical infrastructure, real staffing depth, and a leadership team that solves problems together — we want to meet you. Help us light the path to a brighter future.

BrightPath LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

BrightPath is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. We provide a positive and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and development. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Join us and be part of a team that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

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