Head of Programme Management

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. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. 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. The County Manager is an energetic, collaborative and results-oriented leader who will supervise Master’s level social work and multi-disciplinary case management staff and manage overall operations of an integrated services program including housing, employment and education, intensive case management, My First Place, for 18-24-year-old transition-age foster and former foster youth. The Manager provides leadership to a staff team of 5-8 professional and additional support staff ensuring effective, accurate program implementation, excellence in participant care, adherence to First Place for Youth policies, and efficient operations. 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 provide direct oversight of all aspects of program to ensure quality and compliance. This position requires a clinical professional whose passion for First Place’s vision is matched with energetic leadership, sound judgment in the face of complex challenges, and a proven track record of successfully managing direct-service teams. This is currently a hybrid position requiring onsite work at a minimum of two-three days per week-and/or as needed depending on business need. Program Staff Supervision
Hire, train, develop and supervise/coach a multi-disciplinary team of social work and case management staff including Youth Advocates/Social Workers and Employment and Education Specialists. Lead team members in setting personal and program-wide work goals and in maintaining accountability for goal achievement. Ensure fidelity to program model through weekly individual supervision with each staff person including routine field observations of staff. Lead or co-lead a clinical supervision group for clinical staff and staff working toward licensure, as assigned. Monitor staff effectiveness and support professional growth through review of outcome and practice data.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 quality of services and accuracy and timeliness of all aspects of participant records including timely submission of all utilization, fidelity and outcome data. Participate in meetings to review participant progress and utilize data to evaluate progress and consider strategies to recalibrate intervention to ensure success. Ensure that all My First-Place staff are aligned with mission, values, and goals of First Place, capable of acting as ambassadors for the agency at all times, and 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
Oversee day-to-day operations and effective functioning of assigned team; track outcomes, manage budget and grants, implement case plans for youth working in conjunction with their support team, contribute to and ensure compliance with program policy and ensure retention of youth in housing.Provide leadership and guidance to staff on all components and processes of First Place for Youth programs with particular emphasis on assigned program.As assigned, implement intake and referral system to ensure full census, low vacancy, and retention 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 and participate on other committees as assigned.Work closely with the Director of Programs and the Management Team to provide leadership to the organization’s programs. Collaborate to ensure that housing and support services are being effectively and cohesively delivered to all youth in the region. Contribute to the development of and ensure adherence to aggressive, measurable, and strategic operational and performance goals. Actively participate in regularly scheduled Managers meetings, agency staff meetings, and individual supervision with the Regional Director of Programs.Provide strategic direction to First Place’s programs, utilizing data from assessments, reports and evaluations to recommend improvements to the program and interventions employed with youth participants. Incorporate performance management best practices in the management and delivery of services to improve retention and increase outcomes.Ensure efficient and reliable program operations through compliance with First Place policies and protocols and all regulatory requirements.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.Work collaboratively with the Housing Manager to ensure cohesive delivery of property management services according to First Place policies and guidelines.Provide local leadership including ensuring safe office environment. Liaise with Finance, Housing, Compliance, Talent, Development and other departments to achieve effective, efficient programming.Marriage, family, and child counseling; Child psychology, child development; Three years of full-time social work or casework employment in the field of family or child welfare services required.2-4 years managerial experience requiredDirect Service Experience – at least 5 years’ experience working with underserved and disadvantaged youth, preferably current and former foster youth.Knowledge of which local community referral resources will best meet the needs of youth in the My First-Place program.People, Project and Program Management Skills - Exemplary people management skills, and effective team leadership skills. Field knowledge - Understanding of social service systems, with particular emphasis on the foster care system and services for young adults and young parents.Leadership – Flexible, energetic, and outcomes-oriented self-starter who brings a creative approach to solving problems.Strong communication Skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose reports and correspondence, and present proven data in a clear and inspiring manner.Computer Skills – Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook. Experienced with database systemsAvailability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed. 15 days of vacation time in the first year12 days of sick time2 floating holidays15 paid holidaysEmployee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plansPrincipal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First PlaceHealthcare and Dependent care FSA plansPrincipal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverageEmployee Assistance Program401(k) retirement savings plan Paid sabbatical*We do not offer relocation assistance. Local candidates preferred.
*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.
15 days of vacation time in the first year12 days of sick time2 floating holidays15 paid holidaysEmployee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plansPrincipal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First PlaceHealthcare and Dependent care FSA plansPrincipal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverageEmployee Assistance Program401(k) retirement savings plan Paid sabbatical*We do not offer relocation assistance. Local candidates preferred.
*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.