Youth Residential Program Manager

Position Title: Youth Residential Program Manager (The PAD)

Location: Bellingham, WA

Reports to: Director of Whatcom Housing Programs

Hours: 40 hours per week; exempt position (depending on wage )

Starting Wage Range: $35.00 – $39.39

NWYS Mission

At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness.

Position Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The organization may revise the duties of this position or assign additional responsibilities to support program and organizational needs.

The Youth Residential Program Manager works closely with and is supported by the Director of Whatcom County Housing Programs. This position directly supervises Youth Case Managers and Youth Residential Care Coordinators, including on-call staff, volunteers, and interns.

1. Program Management and Leadership

• 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.

2. House Management and Shelter Operations

• 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.

3. Staff Supervision and Development

• 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