Impress employers and recruiters.
Choose from hundreds of resume examples.

Target Resume Now

About the Role

The Program Director of Prevention leads Larkin Street Youth Services' prevention strategy across Outreach, Direct Cash Transfer (DCT), and Aftercare. This role advances a comprehensive approach to ending youth homelessness by intervening early with at-risk youth, rapidly engaging unhoused youth through outreach, and preventing program alumni from returning to homelessness. This senior leadership position sets programmatic vision, develops external partnerships, ensures fidelity to evidence-based practices, and drives cross-departmental collaboration, building the agency's prevention infrastructure and leadership in youth homelessness prevention.

Responsibilities

Set and advance the strategic vision for the prevention continuum, aligning with the agency's mission, strategic plan, and equity commitments.
Serve as the agency's primary internal and external authority on youth homelessness prevention, translating research and policy into programmatic strategy.
Represent Larkin Street in city-wide planning bodies, coalitions, and funder convenings related to prevention, outreach, direct cash transfer, and aftercare.
Partner with the Chief of Programs and senior leadership to expand and deepen prevention impact.
Contribute to agency-wide initiatives including strategic planning, budget development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work.
Provide senior oversight of Outreach, DCT, and Aftercare programs, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, and equity-centered service delivery.
Establish and monitor program standards, policies, and procedures; ensure consistent application of best practices including harm reduction, Housing First, Positive Youth Development, and Motivational Interviewing.
Assess program performance through data review, outcomes, and client feedback; lead continuous quality improvement efforts.
Ensure all prevention programs comply with contract, grant, and regulatory requirements.
Consult with Program Managers on complex cases and programmatic challenges, providing guidance and escalating issues.
Ensure street-based and community outreach operations are responsive, trauma-informed, and rapidly identify and engage newly or recently unhoused youth.
Build and sustain partnerships with community-based organizations, city agencies, and systems-involved settings to expand outreach and facilitate service connections.
Work with Program Managers to develop and refine outreach protocols for at-risk youth, including QTBIPOC youth, youth with justice or child welfare involvement, and youth without stable documentation.
Provide senior oversight of DCT program implementation, focusing on youth at highest risk of homelessness (without high school diploma/GED, or with child welfare/justice system histories).
Ensure the cash transfer model is implemented with fidelity and supportive programming addresses participants' housing, health, education, and employment needs.
Manage relationships with research and evaluation partners; integrate evaluation findings into program design.
Lead or support the development of a replicable, scalable DCT model to inform advocacy and the broader field.
Direct the strategic development and refinement of the agency's aftercare model, connecting exiting youth to stable housing, benefits, and community supports.
Establish consistent, agency-wide aftercare protocols, including individualized transition planning, structured follow-up, and re-engagement pathways.
Ensure aftercare practices reflect evidence on exit stabilization and are informed by youth lived experiences.
Cultivate and sustain relationships with city agencies (HSH, DCYF, DPH), philanthropy, research partners, and peer organizations to advance prevention goals and secure resources.
Collaborate with Government Relations and Development teams to inform policy advocacy, grant applications, and contract negotiations related to prevention.
Serve as a thought partner and spokesperson for prevention work in external forums, enhancing the agency's reputation.
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to Program Managers within the prevention portfolio.
Foster a team culture grounded in Larkin Street's values, prioritizing staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and youth voice.
Assess team training needs and ensure access to professional development.
Participate in hiring and onboarding of prevention team staff.
Hold On-Call manager responsibilities as assigned and scheduled in rotation.
Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in program leadership, social services, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience managing programs and supervising staff.
Bachelor's degree in social work, public health, public policy, or a related field (required).
Master's degree (preferred).
Ability to translate data and evaluation findings into program improvements.
Experience managing government contracts and/or philanthropic grants.
Comfortable engaging diverse audiences including funders, city partners, and community stakeholders.
Experience with HMIS, ETO, or similar data systems (a plus).
Lived experience with homelessness or systems involvement (valued).
Deep knowledge of youth homelessness, including QTBIPOC youth, youth involved in child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and youth without stable housing histories.
Strong foundation in prevention frameworks, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, Housing First, and Positive Youth Development.
Ability to work in a hybrid environment (4 days onsite, 1 day remote).
Willingness to serve as an After Hours On-Call Supervisor for 7 days, every 6-8 weeks.
Willingness to work holidays occasionally.

Skills

Program leadership
Staff supervision
Data analysis and interpretation for program improvement
Government contract management
Philanthropic grant management
Stakeholder engagement (funders, city partners, community)
HMIS (plus)
ETO (plus)
Data systems (similar to HMIS, ETO) (plus)
Youth homelessness knowledge
Prevention frameworks
Harm reduction
Trauma-informed care
Housing First
Positive Youth Development

Location

San Francisco
Hybrid (4 days onsite, 1 day remote)

Work Type

Full-time
Hybrid

Experience Level

5-7 years of progressive experience in program leadership, social services, or related field
Demonstrated experience managing programs
Demonstrated experience supervising staff

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in social work, public health, public policy, or a related field (required)
Master's degree (preferred)

Salary/Compensations

$95,000-$100,000 annual salary

Benefits

Clipper Bay Pass (Commute for FREE)
Choice of Kaiser and Sutter medical plans
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
3 weeks of vacation annually
11 Paid Holidays
3 Floating Holidays
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
Flexible spending accounts for Healthcare expenses
Flexible spending accounts for Dependent Care expenses
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling services
Health Advocate Service
Paid Sabbatical following 5 and 10 years of employment

About the Company

Since 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services has helped over 75,000 young adults in San Francisco with outreach, shelter, housing, education, employment, healthcare, and other services.
Larkin Street Youth Services is the largest provider of housing and services to homeless youth in the Bay Area.
The organization serves 1,500 youth annually, operating or partnering to provide over 500 emergency shelter, transitional, supportive, and subsidy-based housing beds across San Francisco.
Working at Larkin Street means making a real difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness.
The team is skilled, diverse, and passionate.
The culture encourages achievement, professional development, teamwork, and self-care.
The focus is on young people, nurturing potential, promoting dignity, and supporting bold steps.

Equal Opportunity

Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer.
Larkin Street Youth Service seeks qualified candidates with an interest in the non-profit sector.
We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.