Group Home Administrator - Residential Programs

Location: Sonoma, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday, with occasional evenings, weekends, and on-call coverage

We are seeking an experienced Group Home Administrator / Residential Administrator to lead the daily operations of two residential facilities serving primarily teenagers with a variety of behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who understands residential care, knows how to lead and develop staff, and can maintain a safe, structured, compliant, and supportive environment for residents.

The ideal candidate will bring strong residential management experience and be comfortable balancing staff leadership, program operations, training, compliance, resident needs, and process improvement.

What You'll Do

• Oversee the daily operations of two residential facilities.

• Lead, supervise, and develop residential staff and coordinators.

• Participate in hiring, interviewing, performance evaluations, promotions, and disciplinary decisions.

• Oversee staff scheduling and ensure appropriate coverage for residential programs.

• Develop and improve onboarding and ongoing training programs for residential staff.

• Ensure staff are properly trained on required policies, procedures, safety practices, medication protocols, and reporting requirements.

• Provide guidance to staff regarding resident behavior and challenging situations.

• Support staff in managing behavioral incidents and responding appropriately to emergencies.

• Maintain and improve residential policies, procedures, manuals, and documentation.

• Work closely with compliance leadership to maintain licensing and accreditation standards.

• Ensure residential programs meet applicable regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.

• Collaborate with clinical, behavioral health, education, recreation, and transitional housing teams.

• Work closely with school and mental health leadership regarding resident needs and program coordination.

• Support medication administration processes across residential programs.

• Help develop and implement new residential programs and initiatives.

• Participate in coordinator and residential leadership meetings.

• Assist with department budgeting and resource planning.

• Oversee on-call and overnight coverage when required.

• Serve as a leader during emergency situations and provide assistance when needed.

• Promote trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices throughout the residential program.

• Obtain and maintain the required Group Home Site Administrator certification after hire.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Strong experience leading or managing a residential care program, group home, residential treatment program, foster care program, behavioral health setting, or similar environment.

• At least 2 years of residential supervisory/management experience.

• Strong staff leadership and team-building skills.

• Experience participating in hiring, performance management, and personnel decisions.

• Ability to manage challenging situations and effectively resolve conflicts.

• Strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

• Valid California driver's license.

• Willingness and ability to obtain the required Group Home Site Administrator certification after hire.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related field.

• Master's degree is a plus.

• 5+ years of residential experience.

• Experience working with adolescents or teenagers.

• Experience with trauma-informed care.

• Knowledge of licensing, accreditation, or regulatory compliance.

• Experience with Joint Commission standards.

• Experience with electronic documentation/EHR systems.

• Existing Group Home Site Administrator certification.

Experience is highly valued. Candidates with strong, hands-on residential leadership experience may be considered even if they do not meet every educational preference.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to take a key leadership role within an established residential program and make a meaningful impact on both staff development and the quality of care provided to young residents.

The Administrator will have the opportunity to strengthen training programs, improve residential procedures, support staff development, and help shape the continued growth of the program.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Primarily Monday-Friday.

• Schedule offers some flexibility based on program needs.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• On-call responsibilities may be required.

• Overnight coverage is occasional and generally related to staffing needs.

• Additional on-call/overnight coverage is compensated separately.

• Primarily an office-based environment with regular interaction with residential staff and residents.

• Ability to navigate stairs and occasionally lift/carry up to 20 lbs.

Compliance Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing required screening for a licensed residential care setting, which may include:

• Background check

• Physical examination

• TB testing

• Drug screening

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.