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HG
Homeless Garden Project
Pathways to Work Program Manager
Career Insights for Education and Social Policy Program Director (Public Sector)
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Based on California data
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What they do
An Economic and Social Policy Program Director manages government initiatives relating to the education and welfare of the residents in a state and may work for a child welfare agency, department of education, or other public agency.
$191,757 / year median in California
+9% projected growth
Job Description
The Homeless Garden Project is launching Pathways to Work , a new low-barrier workforce development program designed to help people experiencing homelessness build job readiness, stability, confidence, and connections to employment—all while contributing to the vitality of downtown Santa Cruz. We're looking for an experienced, compassionate Program Manager to lead this new initiative. This is a hands-on opportunity to build and shape a program from the ground up, combining program leadership, case management, workforce development, training, team supervision, and community engagement .
The Program Manager will:
Lead day-to-day program operations and supervise Crew Leads and participants Provide trauma-informed case management, coaching, and employment support Develop and facilitate weekly job-readiness training Support participants in building workplace skills, confidence, and stability Develop relationships with downtown businesses, service providers, and community partners Track outcomes and continually strengthen the program We're looking for someone with experience in social services, workforce development, or a related field , who is an excellent communicator and organizer, comfortable supervising and coaching others, and deeply committed to treating every participant with dignity and respect. This is an exciting time to join HGP as we expand our workforce development work while building toward our permanent farm and community site. If you're passionate about creating pathways to employment and helping people build stability, purpose, and belonging, we'd love to hear from you. Qualifications- Minimum of two years' experience in social services, workforce development, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience supervising staff or teams and giving focused, constructive feedback
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Experience developing and facilitating curriculum or training
- Familiarity with Positive Psychology and Motivational Interviewing approaches
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience working with diverse populations and a strong commitment to social justice and equity To apply: Send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Darrie Ganzhorn, Executive Director, at darrieg@homelessgardenproject.
Benefits
- Dental Insurance