Vocational Services Program Manager

Job Title: Vocational Services Program Manager Department: Foster Family Location: Ontario, CAReports To: Assistant Vice President, Foster Family FLSA Status: Exempt Salary: $80,000 - $100,000 Position Summary:The Vocational Services Program Manager oversees the design, coordination, oversight, and compliance of Marsell’s vocational education and workforce development services for youth in Long-Term Foster Care (LTFC) and other eligible programs. This leader ensures that all vocational programs follow the Policy Guide, Cooperative Agreement, state licensing requirements, and Marsell’s mission to provide youth with practical, competitive, and culturally responsive job skills. The Manager is responsible for building employer partnerships, developing vocational curricula, ensuring cultural and linguistic accessibility, maintaining all federally required vocational documentation, and integrating vocational goals into each youth’s Individual Service Plan (ISP). This position guarantees that all vocational programs support, but do not replace, academic education services.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Program Design, Development & OversightDevelop, implement, and oversee compliant vocational and workforce readiness programs.Create training pathways, job-readiness workshops, and skills-based learning opportunities that prepare youth for independent living and long-term self-sufficiency.Ensure vocational programming does not replace the required academic instruction. Ensure all vocational programs meet program standards for cultural responsiveness, age appropriateness, trauma-informed practices, and linguistic accessibility (including interpreter needs and translated materials).Maintain curriculum frameworks aligned with employer expectations, labor market trends, and credentialing requirements.Program Documentation, Recordkeeping & ComplianceThe Program Manager must ensure full compliance with all the program’s vocational documentation requirements, including:Documenting the name of the vocation/trade, staff/volunteer qualifications, frequency/duration, community partnerships, curriculum, and student capacity for every vocational program. Maintaining written, standardized procedures for the sale, accounting, and disbursement of funds for any youth-created items, ensuring:Proceeds are given directly to the youth upon release, andFunds never supplement the program. Ensuring vocational documentation is entered into the program's electronic case management system and included in Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and required case records.Supporting program reporting requirements, including significant incident reporting, safety planning, and any vocational-related disclosures.Integration With Case Management & Individual Service Plans (ISP)Collaborate with Case Managers to ensure vocational assessments, goals, and progress updates are accurately reflected in each youth’s ISP. Participate in ISP meetings, case reviews, and required program staffing meetings.Ensure vocational services align with individualized needs, strengths, safety considerations, and long-term planning for youth. Workforce Development & Employer PartnershipsBuild and maintain local employer partnerships, apprenticeship programs, trade schools, workforce boards, and community colleges.Develop pathways into high-demand industries, ensuring alignment with regional labor market data.Coordinate work-based learning opportunities, including internships, externships, job fairs, and job placement pipelines.Establish certification and credentialing opportunities for youth. LTFC/TFC-Required Vocational & Independent Living ServicesEnsure that all youth in LTFC/TFC receive opportunities for vocational education and independent living, including skills for employment, financial literacy, and community integration.Support youth engagement in community-based vocational activities consistent with prudent parenting standards and state licensing.Coordinate with foster parents, group home staff, clinicians, and educators to ensure vocational services align with youth readiness, safety plans, and developmental stages.Participant Support & Employment ReadinessOversee vocational assessments, job-readiness planning, résumé development, interviewing skills, and job search strategies.Ensure youth receive referrals for supportive vocational needs, including transportation, uniforms, tools, or training materials.Track youth progress toward employment, credential attainment, and skill-development milestones.Safety, Risk Management & Behavioral ExpectationsEnsure all vocational spaces and activities follow program safety protocols, including tool safety, supervision levels, and adherence to individualized in-care safety plans.Ensure behavior management is non-punitive, trauma-informed, and compliant with no removal of vocational access as punishment, no forced labor, and no coercive consequences. Maintain incident reporting procedures and collaborate with the assigned Federal Field Specialist(s) and Project Officer on safety-related matters.Data, Outcomes, Quality Assurance & ReportingEstablish and track KPIs, including enrollment, training completion, credentials earned, job placement, and retention.Analyze outcome data and lead continuous quality improvement.Prepare required reports for Marsell leadership and funders. Community Engagement & OutreachRepresent Marsell at regional workforce committees, employer councils, economic development networks, and training collaboratives.Conduct vocational workshops, employer presentations, and community trainings.Promote accessible, equitable vocational opportunities for diverse and multilingual youth populations.Staff Leadership & SupervisionSupervise vocational program staff, providing coaching, professional development, and performance management.Lead staff meetings and case reviews related to vocational progress.Ensure staff are trained in program compliance, cultural/linguistic standards, trauma-informed care, safety protocols, and behavior management requirements.Fiscal StewardshipManage the vocational program budget to support training costs, certifications, equipment, and youth employability.Ensure accounting and distribution of youth-generated funds comply with program policies. Support grant development and reporting for workforce-related funding.Supervisory Responsibilities:This role does have supervisory responsibilitiesCompetencies:Visionary Leadership: Ability to think strategically and inspire a team to achieve ambitious goals.Program Development: Strong skills in curriculum design, program implementation, and evaluation.Interpersonal Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with students, staff, and external partners.Problem-Solving: Proactive and creative approach to addressing challenges and finding innovative solutions.Empathy & Compassion: A genuine commitment to the well-being and success of young people.Preferred:Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required.Education/Experience:Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Human Services, Education, Public Administration, Workforce Development or related field.5 years of experience serving transition-age youth, foster youth, or at-risk youth.3 years in program management, workforce development, or vocational training leadership.Experience supervising staff and managing multi-component programs.Experience building employer partnerships, career pathways, or vocational curricula.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesKnowledge of ORR requirements related to vocational services, case management, documentation, and LTFC/TFC standards.Understanding of youth development, cultural humility, trauma-informed approaches, and transition planning.Ability to design curriculum, interpret labor market data, and track outcomes in data systems.Strong relationship-building skills with employers, training providers, and community partners.Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain ORR compliance. Work Environment:The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Physical Demands:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employees often need to use their hands to handle, feel, or finger objects, as well as to talk or listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand and move around. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities needed for this job include close vision.Marsell Benefits:Medical DentalVision401 (k) - immediate eligibility!401 (k) company matchingPaid Time Off (PTO)Paid HolidaysFlexible Spending AccountLife Insurance (Company Paid)Voluntary Life Insurance (Employee Paid)Employee Assistance ProgramEmployee Wellness Day(s)

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000