Salary : $85,653.00 - $132,772.00 Annually
Location : 807 E.Main Street Bldg 2, Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-05960
Department: Community Partnerships & Engagement
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 6/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Position Description
The Youth Services Manager leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of youth-focused programs and initiatives designed to support underserved, at-risk, and justice-involved youth across the City and County of Durham. This position serves as a key leadership role within a joint City-County partnership and is responsible for managing and advancing youth initiatives aligned with City Council, County, and community priorities through the Interlocal Agreement (ILA).

This is a hands-on, community-facing leadership role that requires a strong and consistent presence in neighborhoods, schools, community centers, and youth-serving spaces. The Manager actively engages with youth, families, community organizations, schools, service providers, and stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, increase access to opportunities and resources, and support positive youth outcomes.

As part of a growing and evolving department, this position will play a critical role in designing and implementing innovative youth initiatives from the ground up. The Manager will lead programs focused on youth engagement, violence prevention, mentorship, civic participation, workforce readiness, leadership development, and community capacity building, with a strong emphasis on preventative and equity-focused approaches for historically underserved communities.

This position is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the City and County's youth-related priorities under the Interlocal Agreement, including coordinating partnerships, monitoring deliverables, managing program performance, and ensuring alignment between City and County youth initiatives and investments. The Manager will also oversee the development and implementation of performance measures, evaluation frameworks, and reporting tools to assess impact and improve outcomes for youth ages 13-24.

The ideal candidate brings experience leading community-based youth initiatives and designing programs that create meaningful impact for vulnerable youth populations. This role requires a strong leader who can build trust with young people and community partners, manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and translate strategic priorities into actionable and measurable programs.

The Manager uses data to monitor program effectiveness, identify gaps and opportunities, guide continuous improvement, and prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for City and County leadership, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

***As part of the hiring process, candidates will be asked to complete exercises to assess key competencies, including writing skills, presentation development, communication, and program design.***
Duties/Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities

Youth Program Leadership & Implementation

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of youth-focused programs and initiatives aligned with City and County priorities.
• Develop and oversee initiatives focused on underserved, at-risk, and justice-involved youth, including prevention and skill-building programs.
• Translate community needs, youth feedback, and strategic priorities into actionable program plans, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Ensure programs are equitable, youth-centered, trauma-informed, and responsive to community needs.
• Interlocal Agreement (ILA) Coordination & Partnership Management.
• Serve as the lead staff responsible for coordinating and managing the City-County Interlocal Agreement related to youth services and initiatives.
• Coordinate with City and County departments, schools, nonprofits, youth-serving agencies, and community partners to align efforts and maximize impact.
• Review partnership opportunities, collaboration requests, and funding opportunities and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Strengthen coordination across youth-serving systems and organizations to improve service delivery and resource access for youth and families.

Community Engagement & Youth Voices

• Build and maintain strong relationships with youth, families, schools, community organizations, and stakeholders.
• Develop and enhance channels for youth engagement and participation in community and local government initiatives.
• Facilitate youth-centered meetings, trainings, workshops, and community conversations.
• Ensure youth voices are meaningfully incorporated into programs, policies, and decision-making processes.
• Data, Evaluation & Performance Management.
• Develop and implement performance measures and evaluation frameworks for youth initiatives and programs.
• Track program performance, participation, and outcomes using data to guide continuous improvement and inform decision-making.
• Prepare reports, presentations, memos, and recommendations for leadership, elected officials, and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting related to the Interlocal Agreement and youth initiatives.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop staff
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report and memo writing and presentations
• Ability to design and implement programs that are meaningful, inclusive, and impactful
• Experience using data to inform decisions, track performance, and evaluate outcomes
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to engage effectively with diverse communities

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Community Development, Social Work, or a related field.
• Five years of professional program administration and/or analytical experience in area of assignment.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• A valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License is required, or must be obtained within sixty (60) days of hire.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Master's degree (MPA, MPP, or related).
• Experience leading youth-focused programs, initiatives, or community-based services.
• Experience working with underserved, opportunity youth, or justice-involved youth populations.
• Experience managing partnerships, interagency collaborations, or interlocal agreements preferred.
• Experience developing evaluation frameworks, performance measures, and outcome reporting.
• Strong facilitation, public speaking, and community engagement skills.
• Experience managing programs, projects, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and funding sources.
• Ability to create high-quality reports, presentations, and communication materials.
• Experience supervising staff, interns, or program teams preferred.

Benefits - General Full-Time Employees

• 12-13 paid holidays per year
• 13 standard work days of vacation per year
• 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• State and City retirement plans
• Short and long term disability plans
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Paid funeral leave
• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
• Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
• Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service

01

Where did you first hear about this opportunity?

• City of Durham Website
• Walk in
• Job fair
• Employee referral
• Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
• Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
• Craig's List
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• GlassDoor
• governmentjobs.com
• Monster.com
• Indeed.com
• Employment Security Commission
• Magazine/Newspaper
• Other

02

If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03

Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)

04

How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in program management, community engagement, or related work, including experience designing and implementing programs or initiatives?

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 2 years of related experience
• 2 years but less than 5 years of related experience
• 5 or more years of related experience

05

How many years of direct community engagement experience do you have?(Direct community engagement experience includes building relationships with residents, conducting outreach, facilitating community meetings, gathering public input, and working directly with community members to inform programs, services, or decisions).

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 3 years of related experience
• 3 years but less than 6 years of related experience
• 6 years but less than 10 years of related experience
• 10 or more years of related experience

06

How many years of experience do you have in a supervisory/management capacity?

• No supervisory experience
• Some supervisory experience but less than 1 year
• 1 year experience but less than 2 years
• 2 years experience but less than 6 years
• 6 or more years supervisory experience

07

Do you have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license? (If you have a valid license from a State other than North Carolina, you must be willing and able to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days of hire).

• I have a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license.
• I have a valid license from another State and I am willing to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days.
• I do not have a valid, unrestricted driver's license.

08

Do you have experience leading community-based initiatives and developing programs that support community capacity building?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have experience supervising staff and managing team performance?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have experience designing engagement strategies for diverse populations, including historically underrepresented communities?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you have strong facilitation skills, including leading meetings, trainings, and community conversations?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have experience developing evaluation frameworks and performance metrics?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you have experience creating high-quality presentations, reports, and communication materials?

• Yes
• No

Required Question