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School Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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After School Program Assistant

Oakland, CA · On-site

$45K - $55K/mo

The After School Program Assistant Coordinator will work under the direction supervision of the After School Program Coordinator, with additional reporting responsibility to the AmeriCorps Director.

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All JobsSchool Program JobsSchool Program Director JobsSchool Program Director Jobs in California

School Program Director information

See California salary details

$22.2K

$66.1K

$121.9K

How much do school program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for school program director in California is $66,079.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,300.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by school program directors when managing multiple programs simultaneously?

School Program Directors often juggle several programs at once, each with distinct goals, resources, and stakeholders. A common challenge is balancing competing priorities while ensuring all programs maintain high standards and compliance with school policies. Effective time management, delegation, and strong communication with staff are essential to prevent burnout and to foster program success. Directors frequently collaborate with teachers, parents, and community partners, making adaptability and problem-solving skills particularly valuable in this role.

What is the difference between School Program Director vs School Coordinator?

AspectSchool Program DirectorSchool Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in education or related field; experience in program managementHigh school diploma or equivalent; some experience in school activities
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, school settings, program planningClassrooms, school events, student activities
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, nonprofit organizationsSchools, districts, educational programs
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on managing and overseeing programsFocuses on supporting daily school activities

The main difference is that a School Program Director oversees the planning and management of educational programs, requiring more advanced credentials and strategic responsibilities. In contrast, a School Coordinator typically supports daily school activities and student programs, often with less formal education requirements.

What does a school program director do?

A School Program Director oversees the development, implementation, and management of educational programs within a school or school district. They work to ensure that curriculum standards are met, supervise program staff, and coordinate with teachers, parents, and administrators. Their responsibilities also include evaluating program effectiveness, managing budgets, and seeking ways to improve student outcomes through innovative educational strategies. The role often requires strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a school program director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a School Program Director, you need expertise in educational leadership, curriculum development, and staff management, often supported by an advanced degree in education or administration. Familiarity with learning management systems, data analysis tools, and state education regulations is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, organizational abilities, and effective communication set exceptional School Program Directors apart. These competencies are crucial for ensuring program quality, fostering student achievement, and maintaining compliance with educational standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of School Program jobs in California? The most popular types of School Program jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to School Program Director jobs in California? For School Program Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching School Program Director jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for School Program Director jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for School Program Director jobs? Cities in California with the most School Program Director job openings:
School Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various School Program Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,079 per year, or $31.8 per hour.

Senior Program Director

Phoenix House California

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Schedule (Onsite)-Monday-Friday; Operations Hours
What does PHCA do?
At Phoenix House California, we are dedicated to helping young people, women and men overcome substance and alcohol use disorder to live extraordinary lives in recovery. Since 1979, we have been a leader in the field of substance use disorder treatment, providing addiction, behavioral health and family services to anyone who needs our help, often offering the only chance of recovery to the underserved and uninsured in our community. Annually, over 44,000 individuals - including family members, parents, teachers and students in California - receive our life-saving services: residential and outpatient treatment, continuing care, recovery support, school-based prevention and mental health services, and in-custody substance use disorder treatment and mental health services for male adolescents and adults.
What's it like to work at PHCA?
At Phoenix House California, we take a holistic approach to drug addiction and mental health disorders that focuses on the power of being both proactive and reactive: prevention, early intervention, and recovery services. Understanding the health and safety risks of alcohol and drug misuse is the first step to reducing the risk of addiction. It starts with knowing the facts. We reach almost 32,000 students, parents, and teachers annually, through our school-based prevention and early intervention programs.
PHCA Benefits
  • 15 Paid Holidays for eligible employees
  • Pet, Life, Travel, Legal Coverage
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Continued Education Assistance

Position Details
Reporting to the Vice President, Clinical Director, the Senior Program Director leads and directs the overall management, organization, strategy, and operations of the residential and outpatient services. The Program Director is responsible the effective delivery of trauma-informed, evidenced-based services to patients and family members, providing leadership, management and clinical supervision to staff in the delivery of direct service to patients, and ensuring the successful integration of treatment and educational services. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring pillar outcomes are met; People, Quality & Performance. Employee exercises independent judgment and discretion and reports to the VP, Clinical Director.
A Day as a Program Director might look like the following:
  • Defines programs success indicators/measures and engages in data-based reviews of programs performance against indicators/measures. Prepares and/or manages monthly statistical reporting of program services and other reports required.
  • Ensures the delivery of a continuum of services.
  • Ensures the safety and wellbeing of patients by developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu.
  • Responsible for all quality assurance, quality record-keeping using an electronic health record, and health and safety of unit and patients and staff. Documentation utilizing an electronic health record system is required.
  • Oversee and coordinate efforts to ensure the program meets or exceeds performance standards as established by the agency, regulatory bodies (CCL, CARF), contractors, and other agency stakeholders.
  • Observing and interacting with staff, patients, and other individuals, as necessary, to ensure the quality of care for patients and program services.
  • Adheres to the professional ethics and conduct of standards as established by professional licensure, the policies of Phoenix House, and legal, funding, and regulatory requirements.
  • Provides leadership to the programs and directs the overall management, organization, and operations of all services and related activities for San Bernardino programs.
  • Develops and monitors annual operating plan and budget for all assigned programs, in coordination with Finance. Manages the fiscal operation of these programs to meet or exceed annual budget expectations; participates in the preparation of annual budget projections or adjustments; monitors expenditures; provides input and coordinates with staff to ensure adherence to budget.
  • Ensures each program meets billing expectations.
  • Participates as an active, engaged member of the Sr. Leadership team focusing leadership, strategic thinking/planning, sustainability, evaluation, and development of the organization's philosophy.
  • Be present, along with the Chief Executive Officer, or a designee, at all board of directors' meetings during which the operation or the policies of the short-term residential therapeutic program are discussed.
  • Participates, co-leads, and/or coordinates, as needed, on appropriate committees or teams in support of the organization's mission, implementation of strategic plan and direction. Actively participates in the organization's policy assessment, development, implementation, and review.

To be successful as a Senior Program Director, you will want to have:
  • Have a master's degree in health care administration or related field from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of two years of leadership experience in a residential treatment facility or a similar setting
  • LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC Required.
  • Must obtain TB test clearance and update on a yearly basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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