Youth Advocate Program Manager at WestCoast Children's Clinic
WestCoast Children's Clinic · Oakland, United States Of America · Hybrid
- Professional
- Office in Oakland
WestCoast Children’s Clinic, located in Oakland, California, is a non-profit community psychology clinic that provides mental health services to Bay Area children, youth and families. Working at WestCoast Children’s Clinic means being part of an organization that is client-centered, trauma-informed, collaborative, and committed to justice and equity.
Youth Advocate Program Overview
The Youth Advocate Program (YAP) is a three-year professional development fellowship for Alameda County current and former foster and probation-involved youth, ages 18-26. The fellowship, a paid full-time job with benefits, is designed to improve services, experiences, and outcomes for youth in foster care by including the voice and perspective of system-involved youth. YAP is dedicated to training and supporting the Youth Advocate Fellows (YAFs) by helping them develop professional skills, providing the necessary support to succeed in their roles, and preparing them for future leadership roles.
Position Overview
The Youth Advocate Program Manager provides direct supervision, coaching, and professional development for Youth Advocate Fellows (YAFs). This role involves managing DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) projects and handling key administrative tasks. The Program Manager will play a critical role in ensuring the success of YAP through leadership, collaboration and effective program management.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervision
- Provide direct supervision and coaching to YAFs on job performance, professional and personal development.
- Hold YAFs accountable by offering regular feedback and guidance, and addressing performance concerns promptly.
- Coordinate and complete 90-day and annual performance evaluations.
- Connect YAFs with resources for professional and personal development.
DCFS Projects & Activities
- Oversee and manage the planning and implementation of DCFS projects and activities.
- Guide and support YAFs on DCFS projects.
- Review and approve all DCFS project deliverables.
- Coordinate and supervise YAFs at Independent Living Program (ILP) events.
Professional Development
- Manage professional development for YAFs, including coaching, scheduling, and tracking goals and progress.
- Design and implement professional development programs, projects and training to support ongoing skill development for YAFs.
- Act as the primary liaison to supervisors, internship contacts, and educational institutions.
Administrative and Leadership Duties
- Oversee tracking and reporting of YAF development plans, program activities and deliverables.
- Participate in individual meetings with the Program Director and management meetings as part of the YAP leadership team.
- Collaborate with YAP leadership to identify and address program and training needs, goals, priorities, and gaps.
- Support the development and implementation of YAP policies and procedures, ensuring they align with program goals.
- Demonstrate leadership in internal and external meetings.
- Carry out other duties or projects as assigned by the Program Director.
Qualifications:
- Minimum four (4) years experience in administration and management of programs serving current and former foster and probation involved youth
- Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
- Experience in providing direct management to transition age youth, especially in an educational and/or employment program setting
- Demonstrated successes in project management
- Experience working with social service systems
- Experience working with diverse communities, and knowledge of issues of race, class, gender identity, ethnicity, etc.
Competencies (skills, abilities and knowledge):
- Deep understanding of youth development, system involvement, and equity issues (race, class, gender identity, etc.).
- Proven ability to supervise, train, and mentor transition-age youth.
- Strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
- Skilled in building relationships across teams and with external partners.
- Effective communicator with strong interpersonal and writing abilities.
- Strategic thinker with a problem-solving mindset and professional demeanor.
- Proficient in data tracking, reporting, and using Microsoft Office/Google Suite.
- Comfortable working independently, navigating ambiguity, and managing hybrid/remote workflows.
- Flexibility to work beyond standard business hours, including occasional evenings, weekends, or longer workdays to meet program demands.
Position Details and Compensation:
This is a full-time, salaried (exempt) position. Salary range: $70,000-$75,000 per year. Includes benefits package, 403b and performance-based compensation plans.
Benefits:
- 100% Employer-paid medical and a variety of different plans (base plan, Kaiser HMO), dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees, and 50% coverage for dependents
- Annual incentive compensation plans, generous retirement plan contribution
- 403b retirement plan with ROTH and 403b contribution options
- Flex-spending options - Medical, Dependent Care and Commuter Plans
- Three weeks (15 days) paid time off per year, 12 Paid Holidays, Self-Care Leave (4 days per year), and additional PTO accrual with years of service.
- Professional development stipend
- Monthly wellness stipend
Join us and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families in the Bay Area.
WCC is passionate about leading and encouraging open conversations around race, gender, power, and privilege and how these impact community mental health. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diminishing the influence of privilege and discrimination in our field and our workplace, whether due to differences concerning age, citizenship, color, disability, marital or parental status, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
