ILSP Support Service Manager

Job Description

Job Description

First Place For Youth-Join Our Team Video!

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 OVERVIEW: The Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) Supportive Service Manager is a collaborative and results-oriented leader who will supervise a multidisciplinary team of Youth Specialists and Education Coaches serving transition‑age foster and former foster youth (ages 16–22). This role is responsible for ensuring high‑quality, trauma‑informed, and youth‑centered one‑on‑one and group-based services that support young people to complete high school, remove barriers to stability, and build skills toward independence. The role partners closely with the Center Manager to align supportive services with overall center programming while maintaining a strong emphasis on individualized youth outcomes. Duties include contract, services, and human resource management including hiring, evaluation, coaching, and training. The Supportive Service Manager is responsible to ensure program outcomes, managing external relationships, and developing and promote the reputation of First Place for Youth at all times. The Program Manager ensures timely and accurate budgeting, reporting, and operations in accordance with agency policy, contracts, and budgets. The Manager is responsible to monitor outcomes toward achieving program and individual youth outcomes. The Manager participates on the middle management team and is responsible to coordinate with other agency departments, hire and evaluate staff teams, develop resources and implement training to ensure a well-trained high functioning team, and to support oversight of all aspects of program to ensure quality and compliance.

This work is done at the SF ILSP center, in the community, and occasionally onsite at our Oakland Headquarter office in person. The ILSP Center is open 10-6:30pm Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings or Saturdays to provide a safe and healthy space for youth to spend time in. This is currently an in-office position requiring onsite work in San Francisco from 10:00 a.m-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday including one day onsite at our Oakland location, with the occasional evening and/or Saturday. The ILSP Manager reports to the Director of Programs. Onsite requirement subject to change with notice.

DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Hire, train, develop and supervise/coach a multi-disciplinary team of Youth Specialist and Education Coach staff.
• Lead team members in setting personal and program-wide work goals and in maintaining accountability for goal achievement.
• Facilitate regular weekly program staff meetings.
• Support staff in addressing complex youth needs, including academic challenges, housing instability, mental health concerns, system involvement, and life skill development
• Serve as a clinical resource for staff around engagement, boundary setting, crisis response, and ethical decision‑making
• Conduct regular individual supervision, case consultation, and reflective practice sessions including routine field observations of staff.
• Review care plans, education plans, and goal‑setting to ensure consistency and effectiveness
• Foster a supportive team culture that mitigates burnout and secondary trauma
• Guide staff in developing and monitoring individualized plans focused on:
  • High school completion and postsecondary readiness
  • Barrier reduction (transportation, documentation, housing, systems navigation)
  • Life skills, self advocacy, and personal goal achievement
• Support complex case coordination and cross‑system collaboration
• Ensure documentation meets internal standards and funder requirements
• Provide training and consultation grounded in evidence-based practice and First Place for Youth guiding principles including but not limited to trauma-informed care, positive youth development, strength-based approach and motivational interviewing. With management team, implement, train, and coach staff in best practice strategies.
• Ensure that all ILSP staff are aligned with mission, values, and goals of First Place, capable of acting as ambassadors for the agency at all times, focused on achieving outcomes, including integrated use of data and evaluative feedback.
• Provide direct intervention as needed including consultative support, crisis intervention, participation in or facilitation of meetings with youth, county workers, or others, and conflict mediation.

Program Operations

• Provide consultation during youth crises or high‑risk situations
• Support de‑escalation, safety planning, and appropriate referrals
• Ensure adherence to mandatory reporting laws and ethical standards
• Partner with leadership to establish and maintain best practices for youth safety and staff support
• Support responsibility for the daily operations of the center and staff team.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and effective functioning of assigned team; track outcomes, manage budget and contract, contribute to and ensure compliance with program policy and ensure engagement of youth in program.
• Support intake and referral processes to ensure full recruitment, enrollments, and engagement of youth in program.
• Effectively manage team to ensure baseline and in program assessments, summaries and action plans are timely and accurate.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with community partners including County Social Work and Probation staff and supervisors.
• Participate in the implementation of First Place’s outreach and marketing strategy to promote referrals, education about services, and utilization of First Place programming and services as assigned.
• Champion Continuous Quality Improvement
• Acts as a systems specialist in assigned program areas (Evaluation & Learning, Safety, Chart Audits, Collaborative liaison) as assigned.

Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Center Manager to align clinical services with workshops, drop‑in support, and resource center activities
• Completes routine management reports and data on program activities and outcomes.
• Work closely with the Director of Programs and the Management Team to provide leadership to the organization’s programs.
• Support on-going development and evaluation of highly effective programs and organizational systems.
• Actively participate in regularly scheduled Manager’s meetings, agency staff meetings, and individual supervision with the Regional Director of Programs.
• Incorporate performance management best practices in the delivery of services to improve retention and increase outcomes.
• Provide local leadership including ensuring safe office environment. Liaise with Finance, Housing, Compliance, Talent, Development, and other departments to achieve effective and efficient programming.

Community Development:

• Work with referral agencies, community resource organizations, and First Place staff to develop creative ways for participants to practice and strengthen their independent living skills.
• Professionally and effectively represent the agency as needed at regularly scheduled meetings with collaborative partners and at other meetings as deemed important.
• Acts as a liaison with the County Child Welfare Services, Probation, and other community service providers in assuring that program remains responsive to the needs of families and the community without compromising program intent.
• Facilitates meetings as needed with other agencies and community partners.
• Works closely with Child Welfare Workers and Probation Officers to build and maintain relationships, ensuring the quality of care with youth and families served.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master's Degree in: Social work or social welfare; Marriage, family, and child counseling; Child psychology, child development; Counseling psychology, social psychology; Clinical psychology or educational psychology; Education with a counseling emphasis; or Equivalent Master's Degree required.
• Three years of full-time social work or casework employment in the field of family or child welfare services required.
• Direct Service Experience – at least 5 years’ experience working with underserved and disadvantage populations, Transition Aged Youth.
• Prior program budget management experience is preferred for this role.
• 2-4 years supervisory/managerial experience Required.
• A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers.
• At least two years of experience working with underserved and disadvantaged populations, preferably current and former foster youth.
• Fluency in the prevailing language(s) of the community preferred.
• Field Knowledge – Excellent understanding of education, employment, wraparound resources for youth as well as awareness of other services for young adults and young parents.
• People, Project and Program Management Skills –
• Exemplary people management skills, strategic leadership abilities, and the ability to link the development of people with the achievement of organizational outcomes.
• Ability to both take direction or work independently as the situation requires.
• Strong supervisory skills and proven success supporting staff development and empowerment.
• Demonstrated success organizing, managing, and evaluating programs, events, campaigns or productions.
• Strong Communication Skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to effectively present information to top management and program staff. Professional demeanor and the ability to represent the interests of the agency with community stakeholders.
• 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
• Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
• Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid sabbatical

*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred

*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at

We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future.

First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.