RISE Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The RISE Program Manager oversees the day-to-day implementation of services and supports provided to justice-involved young adults, ages 18-24, returning to the community and served by VOA Southeast Louisiana's RISE program. The Program Manager directly supervises the RISE Case Manager and RISE Employment Specialist, ensuring participants receive coordinated case management, career coaching, and employment services in accordance with each participant's Individual Development Plan (IDP). The Program Manager ensures compliance with funder, Agency, and program requirements through ongoing quality assurance, coordinates data collection and outcome reporting, and ensures program services are delivered with fidelity across the Louisiana service area of Jefferson, Plaquemines, Orleans, and St. Tammany parishes. The Program Manager is also responsible for program budget oversight, employer and community partnerships, and advocating for participants to achieve employment, education, training, and long-term stability outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work schedules for the RISE Program Manager are determined by the needs of the program and its participants. Schedule requires flexibility, including occasional evenings, to support participant services, employer engagement events, and staff supervision. Standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. Must maintain all mandatory training activities and records.

Program Operations and Service Delivery

• Directly responsible for the overall day-to-day operations and service delivery of the RISE program.
• Ensure participants receive timely intake, orientation, needs assessment, and enrollment into case management and employment services.
• Monitor caseloads and service-delivery timelines to ensure participants progress toward employment, education, and training milestones. Ensure all milestones are met during the 12 months of aftercare. 
• Ensure program services are delivered consistent with the RISE program model and funder requirements.

Staff Supervision and Recruiting

• Directly supervise the RISE Case Manager and RISE Employment Specialist, including assigning caseloads, providing coaching, and completing annual performance appraisals.
• Assist in recruiting and hiring RISE program staff in accordance with budgeting and Agency guidelines.
• Ensure staff maintain required training and monitor expiration dates of key certifications.
• Address performance issues in accordance with Agency policy.
• Promote a culture of trust, dependability, and a stable work environment to enhance staff morale and productivity.

Individual Development Plan (IDP) Oversight

• Collect and review participant assessments and service plans to ensure recommendations are followed through and support each participant's IDP.
• Coordinate the case-management component of services, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports with progress summaries and supporting data.
• Ensure IDPs meet each participant's individualized needs and focus on employment, education, and training outcomes.
• Participate in IDP reviews and staffing meetings.
• Collaborate with funders and monitoring entities to maintain program excellence.

Participant Support Services

• Ensure staff identify and address barriers to participant success, including housing instability, transportation, childcare, and legal obligations.
• Coordinate referrals to community resources, workforce partners, and supportive services.
• Review participant progress to ensure follow-up on referrals occurs in a timely manner.
• Maintain communication with Department of Corrections pre-release programs, community partners, and service providers to remain current on participant needs.

Community and Employer Partnerships

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with employers, workforce partners, training providers, and community-based organizations, while representing RISE at community meetings, partner events, and public forums
• Support staff in organizing hiring events, job fairs, and career-readiness workshops.

Financial and Data Management

• Assist in the development and monitoring of the program budget.
• Ensure participant records, employment outcomes, and program data are accurately entered and maintained in Bonterra Apricot and other required systems.
• Ensure reporting deadlines to funders and Agency leadership are met.

Quality Assurance

• Conduct regular file and caseload reviews to ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and current.
• Ensure all staff respect participant confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and applicable regulations.

Outcome Tracking and Data Interpretation

• Ensure staff are trained on data collection, entry, and reporting requirements.
• Review and interpret program data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Prepare outcome reports for Agency leadership and funders.

Incident Reporting

• Ensure staff understand how to complete accurate and timely incident reports and cooperate with internal and external investigations and inquiries.

Licensing, Monitoring, Funding, and Agency Policy Compliance

• Ensure staff are familiar with organizational, State, Federal, and Local standards applicable to the RISE program.
• Assist in coordinating site-visit responses by funders, monitoring entities, and accreditation bodies.
• Ensure compliance with Agency policies; review, refer to, and train staff on Agency and program policies.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

Directly supervises:

• RISE Case Manager
• RISE Employment Specialist

KEY CONTACTS

Maintains critical relationships with the following:

• RISE Case Manager, RISE Employment Specialist, and other RISE program staff
• Department of Corrections pre-release programs and community corrections partners
• Employers, recruiters, workforce-development and American Job Center partners, training providers, and community-based organizations
• VOASELA Agency leadership and funders

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

This position requires knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to:

• Bachelor's degree in human services, criminal justice, workforce development, business, or a related field
• Minimum of three years of experience providing case management, career coaching, or workforce-development services to justice-involved or other vulnerable populations, including at least two years of supervisory or management experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of the criminal justice system, reentry challenges, and workforce-development systems
• Demonstrated supervisory experience and the ability to effectively manage staff, caseloads, and program operations
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations applicable to workforce-development and reentry programming, including funder compliance requirements
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Competent computer skills, including MS Office and case-management systems such as Bonterra Apricot
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain detailed records
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to recognize problems and take corrective action per Agency and program policy
• Ability to work flexible hours; ability to travel

Travels to other locations as appropriate in the performance of duties and responsibilities.

Must have:

• Current driver's license issued by the state of residence, Current Vehicle Inspection decal
• Current vehicle insurance, Current vehicle registration in state of residence
• Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report
• Must be able to pass required background screening in accordance with agency policy, including a criminal history investigation

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is primarily performed in a normal office environment generally while seated at a desk, with local travel to program sites, partner agencies, and employer events. Dexterity is required to perform work with a personal computer keyboard, calculator, and other office equipment.