Job Description

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Minneapolis Avenues is Avenues’ original and oldest program. Located in North Minneapolis, this program provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and intensive supportive services for 20 youth at a time, ages 18 to 24. Annually, the program supports 170 to 190 young people.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

Overview

The Program Manager role goes beyond managing tasks—it’s about fostering an environment where staff feel supported, youth feel empowered, and operations run smoothly. This requires taking ownership of both concrete responsibilities (e.g., scheduling, paperwork compliance) and abstract elements like team dynamics, morale, and culture. The ideal candidate will approach challenges with curiosity, build strong relationships with staff to understand their needs, and take proactive steps to ensure the facility operates at its best.

Leadership & Vision

• Take ownership of maintaining a positive, professional, and inclusive culture at Minneapolis Avenues. This includes proactively addressing issues that affect morale, communication, or operations within the facility.
• Monitor and maintain a healthy atmosphere in the facility by addressing behaviors or actions that could harm team cohesion or youth experiences.
• Develop and communicate a clear vision for Minneapolis Avenues that aligns with the organization’s mission.
• Inspire staff by setting the tone for a positive, inclusive environment while ensuring alignment with organizational values.
• Serve as a liaison between the program team and leadership by communicating upward to the Program Director and other stakeholders while guiding staff toward shared goals.

Staff Development & Supervision

• Hold staff accountable for meeting expectations (e.g., timely paperwork completion) by building strong relationships, identifying barriers to success, and providing support or coaching as needed.
• Approach performance challenges (e.g., tardiness) with curiosity and problem-solving—work with staff to identify root causes, develop plans for improvement, and follow up to ensure progress.
• Lead the process of recruiting, screening, and selecting new hires.
• Ensure employees complete onboarding training requirements (e.g., DHS-mandated videos, online certifications, program manuals). Actively engage with employees to ensure they interact meaningfully with training materials.
• Set up new employees with email systems (including Microsoft Authenticator MFA) and provide support for common technical issues (e.g., logging into self-service tools or resetting passwords).
• Train and coach staff on The Nine Guiding Principles, Boundaries and Ethics, de-escalation, medication management, etc.
• Foster professional growth through development opportunities that prepare staff for higher-level roles.
• Approve biweekly timesheets; ensure hours are accurate by maintaining regular communication with staff. This requires strong organizational skills and computer proficiency.

Program Operations

• Ensure systems and processes are functioning effectively by identifying gaps or inefficiencies and implementing solutions that improve operations.
• Oversee scheduling to ensure 24-hour program coverage; serve as a backup for shift coverage when necessary.
• Manage youth intake and exit processes to ensure smooth transitions in and out of the program.
• Maintain compliance with government funding and licensing requirements by ensuring accurate documentation in client files.
• Monitor program budgets, including overtime budgets; ensure spending aligns with organizational priorities.
• Support and facilitate the supervision of on-site volunteers.
• Ensure best practices are implemented in service areas including intake, assessment, confidentiality/data management, reporting, evaluation and follow-up.
• Prepare for the program’s upcoming transition to a new building within 18 months; coordinate logistics for moving youth and staff.

Youth Engagement and Independent Living Skills Training

• Promote adherence to the 9 Evidence-Based Guiding Principles to Help Youth Overcome Homelessness; train staff on these principles and hold them accountable for implementing them in their work.
• Ensure delivery of Independent Living Skills (ILS) training, youth leadership opportunities, and social enrichment activities.
• Build and coordinate partnerships to support youth employment and training opportunities.
• Work with the Development and Fundraising team to integrate and supervise volunteers into program delivery, as appropriate.

Outcomes and Evaluation

• Coordinate youth participation in the self-assessment for evaluation
• Monitor program outcomes through data collection (e.g., HMIS) and produce reports as needed.
• Coordinate with other program managers and partner agencies to ensure effective service delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human or social services (or related field) with 3+ years of experience managing employees and programs that support youth facing systemic barriers.
  OR
• High school diploma with 6+ years of relevant program management experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire teams while holding them accountable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; (cover letters are required; see below).
• Proficiency with technology including Microsoft Office Suite; experience setting up multi-factor authentication.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Budget management experience is preferred; ability to monitor spending effectively is essential.
• Commitment to social justice principles with an ability to foster an inclusive environment.
• A keen focus on the interests of the youth we support
• Willingness to do paperwork and ensure all team members complete paperwork

COVER LETTER REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit a cover letter on the following subject:
How would you approach setting and leading a vision for a program like Minneapolis Avenues?

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, twist, kneel, and communicate. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We embrace diversity, foster inclusion, and do our work through an equitable lens. Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, other minorities, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. 

Compensation

$63,500 to $72,000 per year, depending on qualifications. Benefits include participation in our 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan. Additional benefits for employees regularly scheduled at least 24 hours per week include Health, Dental, Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance. Generous paid-time off including 8 holidays and 2 floating holidays.

Job Title:  Site Manager - Minneapolis Avenues

Department:  Shelter and Transitional Living

Primary Location: Minneapolis Avenues

Reports To: Program Director

Employment Status: Full-Time, Salary Exempt 

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