Support Services Supervisor in Santa Ana, California at Orangewood Foundation

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other.

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation.

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Support Services Supervisor

Employment Classification: Full Time / Salary/ Exempt

Reports to: Support Services Manager

Department: Support Services

Program Summary:

The Lyon Workforce Academy (LWA) is an innovative, trauma-informed workforce development program that supports transitional-age youth in building the skills, confidence, and experience needed to obtain and maintain meaningful employment. Through individualized coaching, workshops, employment supports, and partnerships with corporate employers, participants develop job readiness and long-term career pathways. LWA also provides training and support to corporate partners to promote trauma-informed workplace practices that strengthen employee retention and create inclusive work environments for young adults.

The Scholarships program provides financial support to youth pursuing undergraduate education, trade schools, vocational training, and career advancement opportunities. The Advanced Studies Fund (ASF) supports former foster youth pursuing advanced education through scholarships, alumni engagement and connections designed to promote educational persistence, belonging, and long-term career mobility.

Position Summary:

The Supervisor of Support Services provides leadership, program oversight, and staff supervision for the Advanced Studies Fund (ASF), Scholarships, and Lyon Workforce Academy (LWA). This role ensures high-quality, trauma-responsive, and strengths-based service delivery that supports educational advancement, workforce readiness, career mobility, and long-term success for current and former foster youth.

The Supervisor supports implementation of the ASF framework by fostering relationships with colleges, universities, training programs, alumni, employers, and community partners to strengthen scholar engagement, educational persistence, workforce development, and career opportunities. The role also oversees scholarship coordination, workforce programming, participant engagement, partnership development, staff supervision, and outcome tracking while ensuring alignment with Orangewood Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.

When considering this job opportunity, please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide oversight and support to Lyon Workforce Academy programming, ensuring participants receive trauma-informed workforce preparation, career exploration, and employment readiness support.
• Strengthen employer, training, and community partnerships that create meaningful workforce opportunities for young adults.
• Support alignment between scholarship pathways, educational advancement, and long-term career mobility opportunities.
• Provide day-to-day programmatic oversight of the Advanced Studies Fund (ASF), undergraduate scholarships, and Lyon Workforce Academy (LWA).
• Ensure programming aligns with Orangewood Foundation’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term educational and workforce mobility goals for current and former foster youth.
• Collaborate with the Support Services Manager to strengthen cross-program alignment, consistency, and participant pathways across Support Services programs.
• Monitor program outcomes, engagement trends, and participant progress to support continuous quality improvement and data-informed decision making.
• Support administration and stewardship of ASF and scholarship programming, including participant engagement, scholarship processes, and ongoing scholar support.
• Assist with implementation of ASF engagement opportunities including alumni-to-applicant connections, peer mentoring opportunities, learning events, networking spaces, and scholar communications.
• Support coordination of ASF application, interview, and committee processes in collaboration with scholarship staff and Foundation leadership.
• Assist in maintaining equitable, transparent, and relationship-centered scholarship practices that support educational persistence and career advancement for scholars
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with colleges, universities, graduate programs, certification programs, and workforce training partners to strengthen scholar access, enrollment navigation, persistence, and resource coordination.
• Support tracking and reporting of scholarship, ASF, and workforce development outcomes, engagement metrics, and program participation.
• Support fundraising and donor engagement efforts by helping elevate scholar stories, outcomes, and program impact when appropriate.
• Provide leadership and oversight for financial empowerment and financial literacy initiatives across Support Services programming, ensuring consistent implementation and participant engagement.
• Collaborate with Housing leadership to strengthen alignment between housing stability goals, workforce development, and financial capability programming for transitional-age youth.
• Ensure financial empowerment services are delivered consistently across programs through staff training, coaching, quality assurance, and ongoing program evaluation.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of two years of experience in the human services field working with transitional age youth or similar populations.
• Minimum of one year of program and personnel supervisory experience in a social services or workforce development setting.
• Strong understanding of youth development, workforce readiness, and barriers to employment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team using trauma informed and strengths based approaches.
• Ability to make sound decisions in high pressure situations and effectively support staff during crises.
• Experience managing programs, contracts , or financial assistance services
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships with staff, youth, and community partners.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize tasks in a fast paced environment.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, and leadership skills.
• Ability to analyze and utilize data to monitor program outcomes and improve services.
• Knowledge of confidentiality practices and ethical service delivery.
• Ability to take initiative and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
• Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
• A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: https://www.plum.io/about

Essential Qualities:

• Understand and support Orangewood Foundation’s mission, vision, and values
• Demonstrate strong communication and teamwork skills while fostering a collaborative work environment
• Approach responsibilities with flexibility, professionalism, and a positive attitude.
• Exhibit ethical decision making and maintain confidentiality
• Model leadership and professionalism in all interactions
• Maintain organization and attention to detail in a dynamic work environment
• Take initiative and proactively address challenges
• Build strong relationships with youth, staff, and community partners

Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

• Position may require use of personal vehicles. Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending and lifting to approximately 25 lbs.
• Work schedule may be modified based on program needs.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Benefits:

• Medical – Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA
• Delta Dental
• Vision (EyeMed Network)
• FSA – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included)
• EAP – through Umum & Headspace
• Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness
• Pet Insurance
• 403b with company match
• Cell Phone Stipend

Time-off Benefits:

• 5 Sick Days per year
• Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year
• Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period
• 13 Company Paid Holidays

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.