Director of Youth Chance High School

Position Summary 

Youth Chance High School is a county community school operated through a partnership between the Embarcadero YMCA, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), and the San Francisco Department of Education. The school serves system-impacted youth who are 4th and 5th-year seniors with fractured relationships with traditional education. Using a trauma-informed lens, the school prioritizes students’ social-emotional well-being alongside their academic progress, offering a holistic classroom experience integrating restorative practices, mindfulness, or specific trauma-informed teaching methods. Through Youth Chance High School, students can graduate with an SFUSD high school diploma. 

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Alternative Education, the Director supervises Youth Chance High School’s daily operations, collaborates with the SFUSD-County Office of Education (COE) team, oversees YMCA staff, and manages the school’s overall culture, climate, and workplace dynamics. The Director supports student crises, behavioral interventions, adherence to policies, fiscal management, and Wellness Team activities such as referrals and student intake. 

Job Responsibilities 

Program and Fiscal Management 

• Oversee fiscal management, including grant budgets, program measurements, and evaluation (e.g., data collection, analysis, and reporting). 

• Attend advisory board meetings and community program committee meetings. 

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Partner with school administrators, teachers, community organizations, parents, and students to identify barriers to learning and address gaps in programming. 

• Support school integration efforts by participating in the school site council, leadership team, coordinated care (CCT) team, and student success team. 

Staff Supervision and School Operations 

• Supervise Youth Chance YMCA staff, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and culture. 

• Co-lead and facilitate staff meetings with the SFCOE assistant principal. 

• Respond to workplace dynamics and foster a positive work environment. 

Student Support and Behavioral Interventions 

• Respond to student crises and implement effective behavioral interventions. 

• Manage school referrals and intakes in collaboration with the Wellness Team. 

Policy and Procedures 

• Ensure adherence to school and district policies and procedures. 

Event Planning and Coordination 

• Collaborate with the Site Coordinator to plan end-of-year activities, including graduation and senior portraits. 

Qualifications 

• 21 + years old 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or related field, or equivalent professional and community experience. 

• At least 5 years of experience in school or nonprofit settings. 

• Proven ability to manage and support multidisciplinary teams. 

• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. 

• Capacity to work effectively with diverse staff, parents, and community members. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in alternative education settings. 

• Bilingual in Spanish. 

• Advanced education or significant experience in social work, mental health, or education.