Program Manager (CSEC)

Position Summary The Advocacy Program Manager provides leadership, supervision, and operational oversight for the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Advocacy Program. This position is responsible for ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive services for youth impacted by or at risk of commercial sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and related high-risk behaviors. The Advocacy Manager oversees advocacy staff, program operations, contractual compliance, and service delivery while promoting a harm-reduction and relationship-based approach to engagement. The position works collaboratively with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Probation, Department of Mental Health (DMH), law enforcement, schools, courts, community partners, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams to support youth stabilization, safety, permanency, and well-being. The Advocacy Manager ensures compliance with all agency, County, state, COA, and regulatory requirements and supports a positive team culture grounded in trauma-informed care, equity, inclusion, accountability, and staff wellness. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Provides direct supervision, coaching, support, and performance oversight to Advocacy staff. Facilitate or co‑facilitate the Parent Empowerment Program (PEP). Ensures timely completion, quality assurance, and compliance of all program documentation and contractual deliverables, including but not limited to: Intake documentation Strengths and Needs Assessments Advocacy Case Plans and updates Safety Plans Daily engagement and contact notes MDT/CFT participation documentation Court‑related documentation County reporting requirements Provides crisis consultation and support to staff and youth, including 24‑hour on‑call support as required by program operations. Oversees implementation of trauma‑informed, survivor‑centered, harm‑reduction, and relationship‑based interventions for youth impacted by CSEC and labor trafficking. Ensures advocacy services are responsive to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth, foster youth, probation‑involved youth, and youth with behavioral health challenges. Collaborates with DCFS, Probation, DMH, schools, law enforcement, medical providers, courts, caregivers, and community-based organizations to coordinate services and support youth safety and stabilization. Attends and participates in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings, court hearings, and other collaborative meetings as required. Oversees staff schedules, caseload distribution, coverage planning, and workflow management to ensure timely and effective service delivery with minimal overtime. Conducts staff trainings, coaching, and professional development activities related to: CSEC and labor trafficking Trauma‑informed care Harm reduction Motivational Interviewing Crisis intervention Documentation standards Mandated reporting Cultural humility and inclusion Youth engagement and safety planning Supports the development of positive working relationships with County agencies, community partners, caregivers, and stakeholders. Represents the agency at County meetings, collaborative task forces, trainings, and community outreach events related to human trafficking and youth services. Maintains working knowledge of laws, regulations, and best practices related to child abuse reporting, trafficking, victim services, confidentiality, and youth rights. Ensures advocates maintain regular face‑to‑face contact with youth and caregivers in accordance with contractual and program expectations. Monitors program outcomes, client progress, and service effectiveness and implements corrective actions or program improvements as needed. Supports staff wellness, resilience, and retention through reflective supervision, coaching, and trauma‑informed leadership practices. Participates in hiring, onboarding, disciplinary processes, and annual performance evaluations for staff. Utilizes personal vehicle to travel throughout Los Angeles County for meetings, home visits, court appearances, and community‑based service coordination. Mileage reimbursement is provided at the approved IRS rate. Attends all required agency trainings, management meetings, and in‑service trainings. Performs other duties as assigned to support program operations and agency needs. Crisis Response & Safety Support Provide supervision to Advocacy staff when responding to First Responder Protocol (FRP). Providing crisis intervention, emotional support, and stabilization services. Assisting families with safety planning and problem‑solving during periods of crisis or instability. Program Manager Other Crisis Response 24‑7 Duties Maintains flexibility to support evenings, weekends, and urgent family needs when required. Occasionally respond to First Responder Protocol (FRP). Adheres to mandated reporting laws and agency policies at all times. Required Education, Training, Experience and/or Certification Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, Human Services, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or program management experience in child welfare, behavioral health, social services, or related field. Experience working with youth impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), trafficking, foster care involvement, homelessness, probation involvement, or complex trauma preferred. Knowledge of trauma‑informed care, harm reduction, Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention, and survivor‑centered practices required. Experience collaborating with DCFS, Probation, DMH, schools, courts, and community‑based systems preferred. Ability to effectively manage crises and maintain professionalism in high‑stress environments. Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional and ethical standards. All employees, regardless of position, serve as role models for children and adolescents who are served by our Agency. Therefore, each employee must at all times be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children, adolescents and adults who may have mental or behavioral health problems. The employee must be able to demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions, as well as appropriate role modeling. Valid California driver’s license; reliable transportation, current automobile insurance; have and maintain a clean driving record acceptable to the organization’s insurance company. Must be comfortable traveling throughout Los Angeles County and working in community‑based settings. Must be able to pass a fingerprint background investigation. Must be able to pass a TB test, physical exam, and drug screening. Physical Demands The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential competencies and job duties of this position. The Human Resources Department will explore reasonable accommodations that could enable an employee who has a disability to perform the essential competencies of the position. Stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, utilize fingers, hands and arms up to 2/3 of the day. Lift items and assist clients with lifting items up to 25 pounds 1/3 of the day. Clear close and distance vision and be able to adjust the focus. Ability to operate a vehicle and recognize all street signs. Ability to transport youth safely. Ability to respond appropriately during crisis situations consistent with training and agency policy. Ability to communicate effectively across community and residential settings. Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing. Use keyboard and read from computer screen. Environmental Conditions Ability to adjust to climate, outdoor and indoor conditions such as extreme heat, humidity and cold weather. Occupational Safety & Health Standards Every employee must comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations and orders pursuant to Division 5 of the California Labor Code which are applicable to his or her own actions and conduct. Optimist Policies And Procedures Every employee must comply with all organizational wide policies and procedures and those department specific policies and procedures that apply to this position. All agency employees must maintain confidentiality of client and case information and may not access information unless directly related to their job responsibilities and duties. All information in case records shall be confidential and shall be available only to the placement agency staff and personnel who need access for the performance of their duties, otherwise special consent is required. #J-18808-Ljbffr Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services