Youth Services Manager

About the Department

The City of Gresham invites experienced, mission-driven leaders to apply for the Youth Services Manager position. This senior-level management role is ideal for professionals passionate about youth development, violence prevention, and community well-being. The Youth Services Manager provides strategic leadership for high-impact, grant-funded programs, oversees multidisciplinary teams, and builds strong partnerships that advance equity, safety, and opportunity for Gresham’s diverse communities.

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

Position Duties

Reporting to executive leadership, the Youth Services Manager plans, directs, and evaluates comprehensive youth and violence prevention initiatives that address complex community needs. This position operates with a high degree of independence and judgment and plays a key role in shaping policy, systems, and services that support young people and families.

What you will get to do:

• Provide strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for citywide youth development and violence prevention programs, ensuring alignment with City goals, community priorities, and evidence-based practices.
• Plan, design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive programs and initiatives, including violence interruption, case management, mental health supports, and restorative practices.
• Lead the development of program goals, outcome metrics, and performance measures; analyze data and community feedback to drive continuous improvement and equitable service delivery.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff and contractors; foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work culture focused on accountability and learning.
• Develop, administer, and monitor operating and grant-funded budgets; forecast resource needs and ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency.
• Identify, secure, and manage grants and external funding; ensure full compliance with program requirements, reporting standards, and regulatory obligations.
• Negotiate, administer, and oversee contracts and intergovernmental agreements with service providers, partners, and vendors.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, public safety agencies, nonprofits, and regional partners to coordinate services and maximize collective impact.
• Serve as a visible representative of the City in public forums, advisory committees, interagency workgroups, and community meetings; communicate program goals, outcomes, and policy recommendations.
• Research, develop, and implement policies, procedures, and best practices that strengthen youth services systems, promote equity, and reduce risk.
• Monitor emerging trends, legislation, and best practices in youth development and violence prevention; provide expert guidance and recommendations to City leadership.
• Respond to complex, sensitive, or high-profile issues with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

Qualities we are looking for:

• Demonstrates inclusive, equity-centered leadership and cultural humility when working with staff, partners, and community members.
• Builds trust and credibility through transparency, active listening, and authentic engagement.
• Applies sound ethical judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Communicates complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Leads with empathy, accountability, and a commitment to staff development.
• Thrives in complex environments and navigates competing priorities with confidence and resilience.
• Shows adaptability, innovation, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

This position will work Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Work is conducted both in an office environment and out in the field.  Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, social services, education, criminal justice, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible experience in youth services, violence prevention, community-based programs, or public sector program management.
• Demonstrated supervisory or management experience, including staff oversight and performance management.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, grants, and contracts.
• Valid driver's license

Any combination of qualifying education, training and/or experience equivalent to seven (7) or more years will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within or closely with local government or public-sector systems.
• Background in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, or equity-centered program design.
• Experience leading complex, multi-year, grant-funded initiatives with compliance requirements.
• Strong data analysis and performance measurement experience.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the communities served by the City of Gresham.

Other Qualifications

To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• Complete online application (Do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave work experience fields blank in the application template.)
• Answers to supplemental questions

 The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Oregon Equal Pay.

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov, or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required application documents.

A review of application materials including your response to supplemental questions submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview.

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Veteran's Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment

The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov.

If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. 

Municipal government providing public services to the Gresham community.