The Program Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the identified program is highly effective and successful. This position provides support to all aspects of the program including client engagement and satisfaction, maintaining a caseload, ensuring the team is effective and provides efficient service delivery, developing innovative strategies, contract compliance, outreach efforts, complex resource navigation and barrier removal, and advance program services for system impact and alignment. Additionally, this position will provide assistance with program decision making, administrative support, and contribute to training and the development of program staff. 

Who Thrives in This Role
This position is ideal for someone who:

• Enjoys building systems and structure that make complex programs run seamlessly.
• Balances attention to detail with a passion for youth empowerment and community impact.
• Is skilled in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving across multiple partners.
• Brings experience working with under-resourced youth or young adults and is motivated by creating equitable opportunities.

The Impact
As Program Operations Manager, you will ensure that every youth enrolled in HOY receives consistent, compassionate, and effective support. Your leadership behind the scenes directly contributes to helping young people secure housing, build stability, and thrive in their transition to independence.

Learn more about YMCA Youth and Family Services programs CLICK HERE 

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org) 

SCHEDULE: 

• This position is Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:30PM with some evening and weekends shifts a few times throughout the year

WORK DESIGNATION:  

• In-Person at our Copley-Price branch location 
  
  • Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs. 

PROGRAM SUMMARY: 

The Housing Our Youth (HOY) initiative is a county-wide collaboration led by the YMCA of San Diego County in partnership with youth-serving organizations and the County of San Diego. The program supports youth and young adults up to age 24 who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, with the goal of permanently housing at least 500 youth across San Diego County.
HOY is built on the belief that young people deserve choice, stability, and opportunity. Services are youth-driven, integrating housing navigation, peer and care coordination, transportation assistance, education and employment support, tenant stabilization, and wrap-around services that promote long-term self-sufficiency. Participants can remain enrolled for up to two years while receiving individualized support that meets their evolving needs.

The program’s design emerged from youth advisory board feedback and the Coordinated Community Plan to End Youth Homelessness, and has become a model for regional collaboration. The HOY pilot (2019-2022) successfully housed 122 youth—exceeding its original goal by 122%, demonstrating that a coordinated, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach can transform the youth homelessness response system in San Diego County.

• Contribute to program and agency decision-making, program planning, policy development and administration oversight 
• Assist leadership in program development and implementation; Coordinate and implement innovative strategies to engage clients in program services and increase satisfaction of the program participants; Assist leadership in program service required services, outcomes, and events; Assist and coordinate various training opportunities  
• Provide case consultation, motivation, coaching, crisis management support, resource navigation and dissemination to all program staff members and clients; Responsible for providing direct services to client’s including maintaining a caseload and facilitation of special events and workshops  
• Record and maintain accurate records as outlined by funding sources; Support monthly reporting and information gathering including up-to-date database compliance; Facilitate Continuous Quality Improvement based on monthly reports and satisfaction surveys to inform program advancement and improve outcomes  
• Increase awareness and accessibility of the program through effective outreach strategies and communication; Attend agency and community meetings to communicate program services  
• Position may require the transport of participants in a YMCA vehicle to and from activities and appointments as needed; Practice non-aggressive defensive driving techniques; Operate YMCA vehicles in safe manner; Vehicle use is for YMCA business only  
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage of confidential information and auditing  
• Ensure that YMCA policies & procedures and applicable laws are always adhered to 
• Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Volunteers, Direct Service and Administrative Staff  
   

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, psychology or a related field or equivalent work experience required  
• Three to five years of experience with under resourced population, including youth and families  
• Knowledge of and experience with systematic entities that serve under resourced youth and families  
• Experience with MS office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Etc.) 
• Basic computer knowledge and skills 

JOB COMPETENCIES: 

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to quickly build rapport with others and ability to establish and maintain a working relationship with staff, volunteers, funders, and the community  
• Must have demonstrated leadership, training, and public speaking skills and ability to motivate and lead teams  
• Ability to work in a very diverse setting with people of all backgrounds, culture, and orientation  
• Ability to communicate expertise to improve and influence systems change 
• Must be able to independently and as part of a team  
• Ability to work with confidential information  
• Must be self-aware, flexible, adaptable and teachable  
• Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and problem solving skills  
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow all safety and health standards 
• Must be an adult role model with the ability to effectively set limits and function in crisis-oriented and high stress situations  
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation  
• Ability to adequately observe participants activities, enforce safety regulations and apply appropriate policies and procedures  
• Must possess the ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills  
• Ability to work effectively with others in alignment with the YMCA 4 Core Values; Models the 4 Core Values in all aspects of position responsibilities 

PRE-HIRE CONTINGENCIES: 

• Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications  
• Current CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute  
• Position will require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:   
  • Negative TB test results obtained within the past one year, prior to first day, and annually thereafter, as required  
  • Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter  

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.