County Program Manager

Position

County Program Manager – First Place for Youth, Fairfield, California, United States

First Place For Youth is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. Our programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed. We value diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support staff well-being.

The County Program Manager is a dynamic, energetic, and results-oriented leader who supervises Master’s level social work and multi-disciplinary case-management staff and oversees the operations of an integrated services program including housing, intake, employment, and education for 18-24 year old transition-age foster and former foster youth. The Manager leads a staff team of 5-8 professionals and additional support staff to ensure high-quality program implementation, excellent participant care, policy compliance, and efficient operations.

The Manager monitors outcomes toward achieving program and individual youth outcomes and coordinates with other departments. This is a hybrid position requiring onsite work a minimum of two to three days per week, subject to business needs.

Program Staff Supervision (30%)

• Hire, train, develop, and supervise a multidisciplinary 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 goals and maintaining accountability for achievement.
• Facilitate regular weekly program staff meetings and conduct annual reviews of direct reports.
• Ensure fidelity to the program model through weekly supervision, field observations, and supervision groups as assigned.
• Monitor staff effectiveness and support professional growth through review of outcomes and practice data.
• Provide training and consultation grounded in evidence-based practice and First Place for Youth guiding principles (trauma-informed care, positive youth development, strength-based approaches, motivational interviewing).
• Implement, train, and coach staff in best-practice strategies; ensure quality of services and accuracy of participant records and data submission.
• Participate in meetings to review participant progress and adjust interventions based on data to improve outcomes.
• Align My First Place staff with mission and values; act as ambassadors for the agency at all times; foster collaboration and data-informed evaluation.
• Provide direct intervention as needed, including crisis intervention, meetings with youth or county partners, and conflict mediation.

Program Operations (20%)

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the assigned team; track outcomes, manage budget and grants, implement case plans, and ensure housing retention and policy compliance.
• Provide leadership and guidance on program components and processes.
• Ensure timely, accurate assessments, summaries, and action plans; maintain effective working relationships with county Social Work and Probation staff.
• Participate in outreach and marketing efforts to promote referrals and service utilization.
• Champion Continuous Quality Improvement and participate in committees as assigned.

Intake/Pre-Housing (40%)

• Implement intake and referral systems to maintain census, reduce vacancy, and retain youth in the program.
• Collaborate with Social Workers and Probation partners to process referrals; conduct intake assessments and team meetings; determine fit for My First Place; coordinate moves-ins.
• Work with Housing Team to manage vacancy and slate youth; maintain files for new and current participants; ensure compliance with contracts and attend monthly county partner meetings.

Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration (10%)

• Provide leadership to the organization’s programs in collaboration with the Director of Programs and the Management Team.
• Ensure cohesive delivery of housing and support services; develop and adhere to strategic…