What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Services Program Manager-County Youth Program position at St. Louis County, MO?
The Program Manager position reports directly to the Office of Social and Community Services’ Division Manager and serves in a critical management role with responsibility to oversee the planning, organization, supervision and coordination of services to the youth of St. Louis County. The ideal candidate will be a natural leader with a strong ability to strategize, implement, and manage high-level initiatives, ensuring quality service delivery and operational excellence.
This position is located at 12079 Bellefontaine Road Spanish Lake Mo. 63138.
As an employer, St. Louis County cares about the health and well-being of our employees. To provide for the best possible work-life balance, the County offers a generous benefit package which includes affordable health insurance, dental and vision coverage, 4 weeks of Paid Time Off the first year, 11 paid holidays, deferred benefit retirement plan, paid life insurance as well as short- and long-term disability. A full listing of benefits is available under the benefit tab at the top of this page.
This position is charged with oversight of county-wide youth services. The candidate for this position must demonstrate exceptional leadership, project coordination and team management skills. Success in this position will require extensive experience and knowledge serving the needs of youth ages 11 to 19, the ability to facilitate solutions with excellent professional judgement, and ensure high quality service delivery to the public.
Examples of Duties
Plan and expand services based on strategic priorities, conducting needs assessments and addressing service gaps
Oversee program development, staff assignments, operational planning, and evaluation of existing services
Provide leadership and direct support to ensure successful program implementation; Develop and foster partnerships with agencies, businesses, universities, and other stakeholders to enhance service access for youth
Establish standards for customer service, staff productivity, and program quality while maintaining fiscal accountability
Collaborate with the Division Manager on hiring, training, and supervising program staff
Monitor key performance data and take action to improve program outcomes
Oversee grant-funded services, including financial contracts, service delivery plans, project evaluations, and reports
Prepare reports, budgets, and strategic plans to support program objectives
Ensure compliance with policies, regulations, and best practices; develop appropriate outreach events, publications, media involvement in conjunction with the Division Manager and Public Information Manager
Align community resources with client needs by recruiting volunteers to provide services, identifying existing community resources, or organizing new community resource organizations
Gather information, and prepare, and monitor statistical/performance reports and summaries
Develop and write proposals and implement projects to address program participant needs
Establishing and maintaining positive rapport and relationships with internal and external partners/agencies/organizations to meet community needs
Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively
Oversee development of annual and multiyear budget plans
Review key performance data and act to improve outcomes
Oversee implementation of grant-funded services through financial contracts
Facilitate the successful contract execution and agreement process with other social services and behavioral health organizations
Participate in the generation of competitive grant proposals; establish and support collaborative engagement among teams across the division
Champion goals of improvement and best practice standards of public service
Actively identifies and supports proposals for new funding resources in support of strategic goals
Represent the Department to internal and external partners/agencies/organizations with the upmost professionalism
Analyze proposed legislation, regulations or rule changes that effect/determine health outcomes and make recommendations to the Director’s Office
Recruit, interview, and hire staff
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in social work or related field, Master’s degree strongly preferred, or a comparable combination of education and professional experience.
- Three years of experience supervising full-time and part-time staff.
- Strong leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizational skills.
- Experience managing stakeholders and fostering collaborative partnerships.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Canva, and other relevant tools.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent licensure.
- Three years of experience working with youth in community-based services.
- Advanced skills in building positive relationships with diverse youth populations.
- Demonstrate value for social services, youth.
- Demonstrate exceptional skill in building rapport with authority figures, influencers, team-members, and colleagues.
- Demonstrate initiative to resolve or clarify process steps, discrepancies, conflicts
- Continuous quality improvement
Additional Information
SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT: A selection committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant which will include recentness and appropriateness of the applicant's education and experience, answers to the supplemental questions, results of employment references investigated and any other appropriate information available.
The selection committee will admit to the interview only those persons who possess the most job related qualifications and may establish admittance criteria beyond the minimum qualifications stated above. The interview will comprise 100% of the applicant's earned grade. A candidate must earn a qualifying grade of 70 or more on the interview to be eligible for appointment. After initial interviews with the selected candidates are conducted, an email will be sent to the address on file with instructions on how to complete and submit a Conviction Questionnaire. Candidates have 3 days to complete the required questionnaire.
The five top ranking candidates, based on the final grade, will be certified to the Department Director/Appointing Authority who will make the final decision.
All applicants conditionally offered a merit position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Screening will be performed by a reputable clinical laboratory. The cost of screening will be covered by the County.
St. Louis County offers its employees many excellent benefits with paid medical insurance, 20 days of PTO (paid time off) the first year and increasing with seniority, and 11-12 paid holidays. Employees hired for full time employment will participate in the St. Louis County retirement plan where they contribute 4% of their salary to the defined benefit plan with vesting after 7 years. Other benefits include: paid life insurance, a credit union, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, pre-tax premium pay plan, dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans, and short and long term disability insurance.
In addition to these benefits, as of January 1, 2023, St. Louis County approved up to 480 hours of paid parental leave for eligible employees welcoming new children, either by birth or adoption. The employee can also take up to 80 hours of leave for prenatal care and up to 80 hours for care of the child within the first year.
