Program Manager – Youth Drop-In Centers

Program Overview

Through this initiative, SAMU First Response will operate a Daytime Drop-In Centers in Washington, DC, designed to serve youth ages 18 to 24 experiencing housing instability. This project aligns with Solid Foundations, the District’s strategic plan to prevent and end youth homelessness, and seeks to expand access to year-round, youth-friendly spaces where young people facing housing crises can access specialized resources and supportive services to move toward stability and wellbeing.

Services offered will include, but are not limited to: housing support, case management, mental health and substance abuse recovery services, harm reduction, income and benefits enrollment, sexual and emotional wellness services, life skills development, physical health support, work readiness, employment services, independent living skills, financial literacy, and assistance securing permanent housing. Coordination with DC’s behavioral health, disability, and substance abuse systems, as well as other youth homeless service providers, is required. The program actively participates in the District’s Youth Coordinated Assessment Housing Placement (CAHP) system.

Role and Responsibilities

The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Youth Drop-In Center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed, and culturally competent services. This leadership role includes direct supervision of staff, coordination with key stakeholders, and strict compliance with funder requirements and organizational policies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide overall leadership and management of daily program operations, ensuring compliance with program goals and contractual obligations.
• Supervise program staff, ensuring proper training, development, performance management, and accountability.
• Oversee facility management to guarantee a safe, welcoming, and youth-friendly environment.
• Act as the primary liaison between SAMU executive leadership, the District’s Department of Human Services (DHS), and other partner agencies.
• Ensure program participation in the District’s Youth Coordinated Assessment Housing Placement (CAHP) system, including assessments and placement processes.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community providers, healthcare agencies, and housing resources to enhance service delivery.
• Monitor program performance, data collection, and reporting in compliance with HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) standards.
• Ensure quality assurance (QA) processes are implemented to maintain accurate data, service integrity, and compliance with all funder and regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate continuous program improvement through feedback, evaluation, and innovation.
• Support crisis management, incident reporting, and problem resolution as needed.
• Represent SAMU at relevant community meetings, trainings, and advocacy efforts.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Master’s degree in Human Services, Health Care, Social Work, or a related field; or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in DC.
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional supervisory and/or managerial experience within human services or social service delivery systems.
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience working with homeless services or housing instability programs.
• Deep understanding of social service delivery systems, housing stabilization models, trauma-informed care, and youth development best practices.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Experience managing program budgets, reporting, and contract compliance.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and coordinate multidisciplinary services.
• Familiarity with HMIS systems and data quality standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.

Non-Negotiable Expectations

• Punctuality and attendance on all scheduled shifts.
• Communicating with clients and colleagues in a professional, respectful, and constructive manner.
• Treating clients with dignity.
• Upholding confidentiality at all times.
• Commitment to a safe, harassment, and discrimination-free workplace.

Physical Demands

• Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity.
• Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands.
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SAMU First Response is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. SAMU does not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

On-site or Remote: On-site

Location: Washington, DC

Project / Program: SAMU Youth Housing Stability & Drop-In Center Program

Travel Required: Within the DMV

Application Deadline: ASAP, rolling