(1) Licensees must meet the following program manager requirements in GCFs:

(a) Have at least one full-time program manager; and

(b) Identify the key time periods when the program manager is expected to be on-site at the facility in either their:

(i) Policies and procedures approved by the department; or

(ii) Program manager position description.

(2) Program managers must:

(a) Coordinate and oversee the day-to-day programming provided to children and youth in care;

(b) Supervise care coordinators, direct care staff, and direct care volunteers;

(c) Either be available by phone or have a designated individual acting in their absence when they are not able to be on-site during identified key time periods;

(d) Monitor personnel development and training;

(e) Verify the plans contained in each child's and youth's well-being file are accurate and completed;

(f) Comply with any professional accreditation requirements that apply to the agency;

(g) Have one of the following:

(i) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year of full-time experience that can be applied to or transferable to the demographic of children and youth in the licensee's care to include supervisory experience. Lived experience may count toward six months of the experience requirement;

(ii) An associate degree or have completed 90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university and at least two years of full-time experience that can be applied to or transferable to the demographic of children and youth in the licensee's care, to include supervisory experience. Lived experience may count toward meeting one year of the experience requirement; or

(iii) At least three years of full-time experience that can be applied to or transferable to the demographic of children and youth in the licensee's care to include supervisory experience. Lived experience may count toward meeting one year of the experience requirement; and

(h) Meet additional duties and qualifications detailed in any agreement between the agency and any government0 or tribal entity, if applicable. If the requirements of this section differ from the terms in an agreement, they must comply with the most stringent requirement.

(3) Licensees must notify the LD licensor within 48 hours if the program manager position is vacated or the program manager has circumstances that prevent them from carrying out their job duties and responsibilities with a plan for how the program manager duties will be accomplished until the:

(a) Vacancy is filled; or

(b) Program manager can resume their duties.