Youth Residential Program Manager

Northwest Youth Services • Bellingham, WA

5d • $35 - $39

About The Position

The Youth Residential Program Manager provides overall leadership for PAD Youth Housing Program, a 24/7 youth residential program for young people ages 13 to 17. This position is responsible for day-to-day shelter operations, staff supervision, case management oversight, regulatory compliance, and maintaining a safe, home-like, youth-centered environment. The Youth Residential Program Manager ensures that youth receive trauma-informed, culturally responsive services and that all care is delivered in alignment with NWYS values, contract requirements, and WAC Licensing Requirements for Group Care Facilities. The program is staffed around the clock, and this position includes regular on-call responsibilities, including evenings and weekends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, psychology, social work, or a related field
• At least 3 years of experience working with youth.
• At least 2 years of experience supervising staff, volunteers, or interns.
• Experience with crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning.
• Experience working with contracts or grants, including documentation and reporting requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills, including the ability to use email, word processing, and basic data systems.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and on-call rotation as needed in a 24/7 program.
• Ability to pass required background checks and meet state licensing requirements, including First Aid/CPR, TB screening, and required training.
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance is required.
• CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certifications required within the first 30 days of employment
• Food Handler’s Certificate required within the first 30 days of employment
• Full understanding of the CPS mandatory reporting requirements within the first 30 days of employment

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in social services, human services, psychology, or related field
• Experience working in a shelter or housing program
• Training in de-escalation, trauma-informed care, Positive Youth Development, CSEC; Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, or/other related mental health and addictions theory and practice

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the PAD Youth Housing Program and maintain a safe, welcoming, home-like environment for youth ages 13–17.
• Model a calm, professional presence in crises and coach staff in de-escalation, safety planning, and self-regulation.
• Ensure consistent use of core practices, including Positive Youth Development, trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and youth-focused mental health first aid.
• Maintain an environment where youth and staff are treated with dignity and respect, and discrimination and harassment are not tolerated.
• Oversee youth care plans in alignment with state licensing requirements and ensure youth are connected to school, employment, health care, public benefits, and other community resources.
• Support youth in building skills for adulthood and practicing independent living skills through daily routines and activities.
• Provide guidance and oversight for case management, including assessment, service planning, referrals, and coordination with families, schools, Child Protective Services, juvenile justice, behavioral health providers, and other partners.
• Maintain regular presence in the shelter to build strong relationships with youth and stay attuned to their experiences and needs.
• Communicate emerging issues related to youth safety, staffing, or program operations with the Director of Whatcom County Housing Programs and follow through on next steps.
• Coordinate day-to-day shelter operations, including intakes, discharges, routines, house meetings, chores, and program activities.
• Be on site or available by phone during business hours, or as needed, to support staffing and program decisions in line with state licensing expectations.
• Oversee the cleanliness and upkeep of all interior and exterior areas of the house.
• Ensure the home is stocked with food, household goods, cleaning supplies, first aid items, and basic personal care items for youth, including ordering, shopping, and inventory.
• Identify maintenance and repair needs, coordinate work with the landlord, facilities staff, or vendors, and monitor completion and follow up.
• Ensure appliances, furniture, and equipment are safe and functional, and arrange repairs or replacements as needed.
• Support daily and weekly cleaning routines that meet health, safety, and licensing standards and maintain emergency supplies and evacuation plans.
• Ensure incident reports, critical incident notifications, reports to Child Protective Services, and licensing notifications are accurate and submitted on time.
• Help develop, implement, and update PAD policies, procedures, and the program manual, and share PAD expertise as the agency explores additional shelter or residential programs.
• Supervise Youth Case Managers and Youth Residential Care Coordinators, including on-call staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Participate in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Provide regular one-to-one supervision, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Set expectations for professional, direct, and respectful communication and address conflict, gossip, and triangulation promptly.
• Encourage staff to raise concerns early, suggest solutions, and participate in collaborative problem-solving.
• Coordinate staffing and shift coverage with the Director of Whatcom County Housing Programs and maintain staff schedules.
• Review and approve timesheets, mileage, and payment requests, and ensure staff complete required training to meet agency, contract, and licensing requirements.
• Ensure staff maintain complete, organized youth files and other required documentation.
• Ensure documentation is clear, timely, and accurate, and support staff in maintaining complete, compliant case notes, service records, and shift notes.
• Assist the Director of Whatcom County Housing Programs and the Data and Impact Manager with program data and required reports.
• Use data, staff input, and youth feedback to inform decisions and support continuous improvement.
• Help ensure the PAD meets contractual performance targets and outcomes.
• Maintain positive relationships with neighbors, contract monitors, licensors, and other partners, and occasionally represent the PAD at meetings or events.
• Complete required professional development each year and model continuous learning for the team.

Benefits

• Earn paid time off based on hours worked
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits begin first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Voluntary life, critical illness, supplemental vision, long term disability, and accident insurance eligibility begins first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Simple IRA Retirement plan with match up to 3% of employee contributions, per pay period, after first year of employment
• NWYS sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Annual Healing Fund stipend
• Multiple paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager