ILSP Center Manager

Join Our Team

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.

The Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) Center Operations Manager is an energetic, collaborative and results-oriented leader who will manage overall operations of the center that serves 16-22-year-old transition-age foster and former foster youth. The ILSP Operations Manager will lead center activities, supervise center team members is responsible to ensure a safe, welcoming, trauma informed space, and ensure program supports run smoothly.

Duties include site, contract, services, and human resource management including hiring, evaluation, coaching, and training. The ILSP Operations Manager is responsible to ensure program outcomes, timely and accurate budgeting, reporting, and operations in accordance with agency policy, contracts compliance, and managing external relationships. This role monitors outcomes toward achieving program and individual youth outcomes, 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 work is done at the SF ILSP center, at the local high schools throughout the Bay, in the community, and at our Oakland Headquarter office. The ILSP Center is open 10-6:00pm Monday through Friday, offering occasional evening or Saturday activities once per month. This is an onsite position requiring Mon-Fri in office with a rotating as needed evening or Sat.

Onsite requirement subject to change with notice.

• Oversee daily center operations (drop-in hours, workshops, events, resource access).
• Ensure programming aligns with youth needs and developmental stages (16–22)
• Maintain consistent and predictable schedules and services.
• Monitor attendance, engagement, and service utilization.
• Ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment.
• Implement and enforce behavior expectations and boundaries.
• De-escalate conflict and support youth in crisis.
• Build trusting relationships while maintaining professional ethics.
• Manage center budget, supplies, and facilities.
• Ensure compliance with Funder requirements, Mandatory reporting laws, Safety and licensing standards
• Track outcomes and prepare reports
• Support intake and referral processes to ensure full recruitment, enrollments, and engagement of youth in program.
• 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.

• Hire, train, develop and supervise/coach a multi-disciplinary team of center staff.
• Manage staff schedules, coverage, and performance.
• Facilitate regular weekly program staff meetings.
• Ensure fidelity to program model through weekly…