Youth Program Manager

Who We Are

Tacoma Boat Builders (TBB) is dedicated to creating transformational opportunities for

systemically marginalized and underserved youth through positive mentorship, woodworking

and on the water activities. We pair young individuals with experienced craftspeople to

collaboratively create objects of functional beauty, fostering pro-social and team-centered

behaviors that enhance their development overall.

● Delivering a welcoming space for people of all ages to gain hands-on experiences.

● Meet young people where they are at and build from there.

● Introducing and encouraging social-emotional skills with youth - Looking for development over time.

Position Summary

Tacoma Boat Builders (TBB) is seeking a Program Manager to lead day-to-day youth

programming and be a steady, present figure for both youth and staff. This is a hands-on role:

the Program Manager is in the shop and on the floor during program, working directly with

youth, supporting facilitators and volunteers, and helping maintain a safe, trauma-informed,

high-quality experience, alongside owning the administrative backbone that keeps programs

running: staff scheduling, data and grant compliance, and program-day coordination including

transportation logistics.

As we navigate a rapidly changing nonprofit landscape, TBB is deliberately strengthening our

internal structure and systems to match the pace and complexity of the sector we operate

within. As we build out the team this next chapter requires, we expect roles to evolve alongside

the organization as we strive to maintain excellence in how we work with the youth, families,

and communities we serve. This position begins with a 3-month initial term, during which TBB

will review both the role and the fit together; from there, the role may be adjusted, converted to

permanent employment, or continue to evolve as the team and organization grow.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Presence & Youth Engagement

• Be present in program and in the shop during program hours, working directly with youth

to build rapport and support their engagement in trauma-informed positive youth development

programming.

• Support facilitators, staff, and volunteers during program, helping maintain a safe and

well-run session and stepping in as an extra set of hands and eyes as needed.

• Uphold a culture of safety - physical, emotional, and relational - by promoting safe work

practices in the shop, working alongside the Shop Operations Manager and Boat Operations

Manager, who retain ownership of technical safety and skill instruction.

• Support the Youth Engagement Specialist in facilitating smooth transitions for new

youth and families, and in providing on-site intervention when necessary.

• Help identify staffing, scheduling, safety, and supply needs that support smooth program

delivery, and flag operational risks or capacity needs to leadership.

• Be available to drive youth in TBB's van on an as-needed basis while the team rebuilds

capacity.

Staff Supervision & Scheduling

• Supervise and support program staff, checking in regularly and helping staff navigate

day-to-day challenges with youth.

• Manage weekly employee schedules using Gusto, ensuring accuracy and compliance for

timekeeping and payroll.

• Oversee transportation coordination, routes, and scheduling of staff for transportation.

• Identify systems and workflow improvements that strengthen program consistency and

staff support.

• Recognize and help develop staff leadership strengths to build a cohesive, sustainable

program team.

Data, Grants & Administrative Oversight

• Provide increased oversight of program data entry, tracking, and administrative systems

tied to grants and contracts.

• Ensure timely collection of attendance, participation, and outcome data needed for

reporting.

• Maintain accurate records in the Youth Programs Salesforce database, including

tracking youth progress, achievements, goals, and completion certificates.

• Monitor grant and contract deliverables, deadlines, and documentation requirements,

and maintain compliance-related files and correspondence.

• Work directly with the Grants team to understand and communicate deliverables,

deadlines, and reporting requirements to staff.

• Coordinate with leadership on program-related reporting needs and compliance

requirements.

Program Quality & Partnerships

• Attend weekly PCJC referral meetings and contribute to the Youth Matrix for session

preparation.

• Lead or contribute to meetings with the Program team to strategize and optimize

program delivery.

• Support existing and future partnerships with contract and community partners,

including Pierce County Juvenile Court, Tacoma Public Schools and Libraries, Tahoma Indian

Center, Our Sisters House, Big Homie Mentoring, the Foss Waterway Seaport and others.

In addition to these duties, be prepared to fulfill other assigned responsibilities in support of

Tacoma Boat Builders' mission and objectives.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related field preferred;

equivalent experience considered.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with youth in a mentoring, counseling, or

educational setting; experience with marginalized or underserved youth populations is highly

desirable.

• Knowledge of positive youth development principles and trauma-informed practices.

• Comfort being physically present and active in a workshop/maker-space environment;

willingness to grow into more hands-on shop or on-water involvement over time.

• Prior hands-on trade, woodworking, or maritime experience is a strong plus, though not

required to be considered for this position today.

• Experience supervising staff and coordinating day-to-day operations, ideally within a

youth-serving, nonprofit, trauma-informed setting.

• Comfort with data and scheduling systems (Salesforce and Gusto experience a plus).

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to track multiple grant deliverables, deadlines,

and compliance requirements simultaneously.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively

engage with youth, families, staff, and community partners.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an understanding of cultural

competency and its importance in working with diverse youth populations.

• Valid driver's license and clean driving record. Successful candidate may be asked to

drive youth in TBB's van; anyone authorized to drive completes an annual driving record check.

• First Aid and CPR certification preferred; training provided if needed

• Must pass a background check prior to employment, as required for all positions

working directly with minors. A record with the legal or penal system does not automatically

disqualify a candidate — TBB welcomes applicants with lived experience in these systems. Each

background check is processed and screened by the Pierce County Juvenile Court.

Work Environment

The work environment for this position is richly diverse, spanning across multiple settings that

include offices, workshops, docks, boats, and occasional off-site visits in various conditions.

TBB programs run out of school time and thus require availability from late morning to early

evening as well as occasional weekend days/nights.

We also have a certified therapy dog on site who is present throughout the workday. Staff and

youth interface with our therapy dog on a daily basis. A willingness to support the therapy dog’s

role is not required but encouraged.

Physical Requirements

Nature of work requires an ability to effectively communicate and exchange information, collect,

compile and prepare work documents operating standard business office equipment. The job

requires a diverse work environment which could include climbing stairs and walking on uneven

terrain. Ability to lift 35 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand, move, and stay actively engaged throughout program hours in a shop

environment.

• Ability to clearly communicate with youth, staff, and partners in person, by phone, and in

writing.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter via email to

info@tacomaboatbuilders.org or via our application form at

https://forms.gle/yfJKb6vjBwJjfXQS6 Please, no phone calls.

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills

required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in

accordance with the needs of the organization. Since no position description can detail all the

duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job,

duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or

required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's

responsibility.

Tacoma Boat Builders is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency and will not discriminate against or harass

any employee or applicant for employment because of race, ethnicity, gender, color, creed, religion,

national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age, military or

veteran status, socioeconomic status,