Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team.

About First Place for Youth, we’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

Why Work at First Place For Youth:

• Meaningful Impact:  Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.
• Innovative Approach: We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.
• Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.
• Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Program Manager is responsible to ensure high quality services and effective daily operations of all aspects of Transition Age Youth (TAY) Single Site Programs including Mercy and John Burton Housing and collaborative oversite of San Francisco Independent Livings Skills Program (ILSP), including Guaranteed Income Pilot (GI). These programs provide direct services to individuals ages 18-24 years old at entry experiencing homelessness, and individuals ages 16-21 years old with lived experience in the foster care system, building skills development in education, employment, healthy living, financial literacy and housing for independent living preparedness. Duties include contract, site, services and human resource management including hiring, evaluation, coaching and training. The Program Manager is responsible to ensure program outcomes, train and support in best practice implementation, cultivate external opportunities and partnerships promoting youth in reaching self-sufficiency, organize community building events, coordinate with contract partner Stakeholders and supervise direct-service case managers, coaches and support staff. The Program Manager provides leadership congruent with agency policy, values and mission, provides management reports as required, and leads projects or functions as assigned. This work is done at Mercy and John Burton Housing Single Sites, in the ILSP Center, and in the community in person. All locations offer services during the business week, with ILSP Center being open 10-6:30pm. This position is expected to be onsite at the various locations a minimum of 4 days a week, and provide supports to the team in the community as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Operations

• Manage assigned programs and projects to ensure compliance with program, agency, and regulatory policy.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff on all components and processes of First Place for Youth with emphasis on assigned programs and projects.
• Review data to monitor quality of services, track outcomes, and guide support areas
• Participate in the ongoing development, evaluation, and refinement of service delivery including field training and support to ensure quality and effectiveness of services. Ensure high fidelity to First Place for Youth standards and competencies among staff.
• Provide oversight and compliance checks to ensure accuracy and integrity of all documentation.
• In collaboration with director, support budgeting, contract control, reporting and renewal, and all aspects of program/projects.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and effective functioning of single sites and ILSP Center; track outcomes, implement case plans, ensure retention of clients in housing, education and employment outcomes, and transition planning towards self-sustainability.
• Collaborate with Housing Director and Housing Coordinator to support housing navigation and coordination to meet the needs of the individuals served.
• Professionally and effectively represent the agency as needed in meetings with collaborative partners, and at other meetings as deemed important to the advancement of First Place’s mission and goals.

Talent Management

• Hire, train, develop and supervise a team of direct service staff and support them on best practices. Ensure all aspects of jobs and minimum qualifications are adhered to.
• Provide weekly one-on-one participant-centered supervision to service staff, coaching staff in service delivery areas of housing retention, resource and referral, workshop delivery, case management, education and employment coaching.
• Provide guidance to ensure accuracy of housing information including affordable housing applications, rapid rehousing information and referral, and eviction prevention services.
• Facilitate regular team meetings for direct service staff at affordable housing and rapid rehousing sites to increase collaboration, resource sharing and program fidelity.
• Ensure program data is entered on time and correctly to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking.
• Conduct yearly reviews of direct reports using the guidelines set forth in respective work plans for each staff member.

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Cultivate community partnerships across multiple jurisdictions with local businesses, affordable housing providers, employers, educational institutes, and social service supports. Ensure robust awareness and access to community resources for all staff.
• In conjunction with director, provide leadership in collaborative meetings with program partners, working closely with Child Welfare Workers, Probation Officers and Housing Departments to build and maintain relationships and to ensure the quality of care with youth and families served.
• Attend and represent agency interests at community meetings as assigned.
• Participate in coordinated entry and matching meetings to promote rapid entrance and engagement of youth with program staff toward achieving housing goals.
• Ensure rapid and effective response to manage vacancies, resident transitions, serious housing concerns and landlord/tenant issues that arise.

Direct Youth support

• May provide in vivo support to promote conflict resolution, safety or action planning, or crisis de-escalation.
• Provide direct support to participants during staff absence or vacancy

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in counseling, psychology or Social Work is a plus.
• Two years of supervisory/management experience required.
• A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers and increase a sense of belonging
• Prior program budget management experience is required for this role.
• Direct Service Experience – at least 4 years of experience working with underserved and disadvantaged populations, preferably transition age youth, individuals with lived experience in foster care system, homelessness or affordable housing. Related MSW or equivalent degree can count for two experience years.
• Knowledge of best practice housing and subsidy models a plus.
• Demonstrated success organizing, managing and evaluating programs, events, campaigns or productions.
• Computer skills -- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Project and Outlook. Experience with database systems is a plus.
• Strong Communication skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information,
• Academic/Career experience.
• Computer/Software skills.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

Benefits:

• 15 days of vacation time in the first year
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 floating holidays
• 15 paid holidays
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans
• Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place
• Paid baby bonding leave
• Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
• Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid sabbatical
• Paid maternity and paternity leave

*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred

*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience.