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JOB SUMMARY
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Under the general supervision of a higher classified employee, the Youth Assessment & Resource Center (YARC) Program Manager is responsible for managing the development, implementation, and operation of Washtenaw County's Youth Assessment and Resource Center, a three-year proof of concept pilot approved by the Board of Commissioners. This position requires the ability to both design and operate the YARC, develop consensus across diverse youth serving organizations, and build the processes, cross agency partnerships, data infrastructure, and services required for a high functioning assessment center model.
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The Program Manager is part strategic planner, group facilitator, consensus builder, program developer, and operational implementer. The role requires a deep understanding of the youth serving landscape including the courts, schools, law enforcement, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, behavioral health, and community-based agencies, and the ability to take the YARC Framework from theory into effective and measurable impact.
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The Program Manager will report to the Racial Equity Officer in coordination with the YARC Working Group.
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EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
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Essential Duties:
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Program Implementation
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Responsible for implementing and managing the day-to-day operations of the Youth Assessment & Resource Center, including referral flow, intake, assessments, service planning, warm handoffs, and follow up.
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Builds and manages operational workflows, program protocols, staffing schedules, documentation standards, and quality assurance systems aligned with the YARC Guiding Principles.
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Ensures program fidelity to a trauma informed, equitable, youth and family centered approach.
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Helps develop solution focused strategies that align with upstream prevention and diversion goals.
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Cross Agency Coordination and Workgroup Facilitation
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Coordinates and manages regular operational workgroup meetings and processes.
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Facilitates communication between referring partners including law enforcement, schools, families, Community Mental Health, Children's Services, MDHHS, and courts to monitor referral patterns, capacity, and adherence to the YARC model.
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Ensures partners understand eligibility criteria, exclusion criteria, assessment tools, and service expectations.
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Stakeholder Engagement
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Works with stakeholders including law enforcement, prosecutors, public defenders, Trial Court, schools, behavioral health partners, and community organizations to design, implement, refine, and sustain the YARC pilot across the county.
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Engages youth, caregivers, and community members to build understanding of YARC operations, appropriate use, and referral pathways.
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Creates opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and community participation.
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Community Engagement
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Educates individuals, neighborhood groups, school staff, social service providers, and community members on YARC protocols, pilot goals, and expected outcomes.
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Responds to concerns, questions, or misinformation and builds community trust in the initiative.
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Works with community groups to understand youth well-being challenges, school related issues, and public safety concerns across the county.
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Data, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
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Works to ensure meaningful data collection, analysis, and reporting on outcomes, disparities, referral patterns, and program effectiveness.
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Reviews outcome data and feedback to guide improvement consistent with YARC's commitment to adaptability.
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Supports reporting to the YARC Working Group and the Board of Commissioners.
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Sustainability
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Identifies and supports funding opportunities including grants, state or federal programs, and local philanthropic partnerships to sustain or expand the assessment center model.
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Serves as coordinator for YARC related pilot funding and reporting requirements.
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Internal Alignment
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Coordinates with County divisions including Administration, CMH, Children's Services, Racial Equity Office, Prosecutors Office, Public Defenders Office, and Courts to ensure the pilot aligns with countywide youth justice transformation efforts.
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Ensures YARC activities remain connected to broader county system reforms.
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Performs all other duties as assigned.
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These statements describe the general nature and level of work performed and do not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities.
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EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Ability to clearly communicate program principles and advise partners unfamiliar with assessment center practices or youth systems.
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Understanding of adolescent development, trauma informed care, family systems, motivational interviewing, and community-based service navigation.
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Ability to apply an equity lens to decision making, service access, and evaluation.
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Familiarity with youth behavioral health needs, juvenile justice processes, truancy dynamics, school discipline systems, and family crisis intervention.
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Experience with community engagement, conflict resolution, and group facilitation.
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Ability to perform effectively under stress using sound and independent judgment.
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Excellent written, visual, and oral communication skills.
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Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across diverse partners and communities.
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Proficiency with standard office technologies, case management systems, and data tools.
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LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
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Possession of a valid Michigan vehicle operator's license or ability to obtain one prior to being hired.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer monitor, hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
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These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
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EDUCATION
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Bachelor's degree or equivalent in social work, public administration, criminal justice, education, public health, or similar field.
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Master's degree preferred.
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EXPERIENCE
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Three years of experience leading or coordinating large scale community projects or multi agency initiatives.
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Experience managing teams or coordinating operations in youth services, juvenile justice, behavioral health, or education is strongly preferred.
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Experience with databases, spreadsheets, and reporting tools.
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Knowledge of county government or local youth serving landscapes preferred.
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This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.
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FILING DEADLINE: 4/7/26
CONTROL NUMBER: 2603-1100-3038-0001
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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