Program Manager

About Project Zero: A Prison Reentry Pilot in San Francisco County

Project Zero is a groundbreaking new initiative in California’s San Francisco County that aims to meet the essential needs of adults leaving state prison. When and if launched, Project Zero will be a model for a connected and personalized method of reentry service delivery that will involve an all-in, networked approach to fully supporting the housing, employment training, and well-being needs of all the formerly incarcerated adults returning to San Francisco. If there were a slogan for Project Zero, it would be “Whatever it takes.” The ultimate goal—and the inspiration behind the initiative’s name—is a 0% recidivism rate, a 0% homelessness rate, and a 0% unemployment rate for all participants.

Impact Justice is embarking on a robust planning project to build the infrastructure, partnerships, staffing, and project plan needed to succeed in this major undertaking. Impact Justice received a generous planning grant to develop Project Zero, and we are looking for an amazing team member to help coordinate and bring this idea into reality.

Who You Are

You are a strategic thinker, an implementer, and a collaborator. You are excited to roll up your sleeves and help us build the foundation of Project Zero. You can work well with a team while also being able to carry out tasks independently. You thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, creative, and collaborative environment.

The position of Program Manager will work closely with the Project Zero Senior Program Manager in completing the planning, setup and launch phases of Project Zero.

Currently, this is a 10-month, full-time position, set to begin on March 1, 2025. While this temporary role is set to conclude on December 31, 2025, we anticipate that the ongoing planning process will evolve into an implementation phase. There may be an opportunity for the position to transition into a full-time, permanent role, which must go through our competitive hiring process based on organizational needs and performance.

You are also:

• An experienced professional within the criminal/juvenile justice system, affordable housing/homelessness space, education, or other social justice movements.
• Knowledgeable of the housing and/or reentry landscape of San Francisco County.
• Comfortable interacting with a wide variety of people, including individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, criminal legal system staff and officials, and individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Able to juggle simultaneous multiple project tasks and research assignments.
• Adept at time management with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• A team player with ability to complete tasks from big to small, communicate needs, facilitate meetings, hold themselves accountable and resolve conflict in a restorative way.
• An individual with exemplary ethical standards and a deep commitment to social and racial justice.
• Experience/comfort using project management software (e.g. Asana)
• Tech-savvy: comfortable with Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, Canva and databases/case management systems

Big Pluses (but not requirements):

• Personal experience within the social service system, including being system-impacted, formerly incarcerated, a former foster youth, or having loved ones who are systems-impacted.
• Prior experience building/scaling a program.
• Prior experience in local, state, federal housing policy or workforce development and re-entry processes.

What You Will Do

You will report to the Senior Program Manager currently working on the development of Project Zero. Your role will involve building the partnerships, staffing, infrastructure, project plan and budgets needed to develop and implement the project.

You will complete a 10-month Project Zero planning project, during which you will:

• Support the Senior Program Manager in the development of a detailed project plan, budget and timeline for launch.
• Become familiar with the diverse reentry needs of individuals exiting state custody in San Francisco.
• Conduct ongoing research and analysis of policies and practices related to reentry in San Francisco, the Bay Area and the state.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with organizations that offer reentry services in the areas of housing, workforce development, mental health, substance use, physical health, case management and life coaching, among others.
• Liaise with system partners, including Parole, Probation and CDCR.
• Connect existing organizations into a holistic ecosystem of support, with clear operational agreements and processes for collaboration.
• Draft MOUs with program partners.
• Assist with communications, branding, website design, social media presence and informational materials for Project Zero.
• Develop and present planning and implementation documents for funders and other senior leadership.
• Assist in managing student researchers, interns or consultants, as needed.
• Engage in public speaking opportunities on behalf of Project Zero, as needed.

You will be supervised and supported by the Project Zero Senior Program Manager.

The compensation for this position is $80,000-$87,000 annually. The benefits of working at Impact Justice include medical, dental, and FSA plans, significant vacation and wellness leave, and immediate vesting in our 401K with a generous match. This is a full-time, temporary salaried position located in our Oakland, CA, office. In-person work in the office is required at least two days per week.

We ARE NOT considering remote staff for this role.

Work schedule:

Full-time, at 40-hrs per week, under a hybrid model currently requiring at least two days per week in the Oakland office. However, it is anticipated that this role will spend at least 40% in the field. Local travel is required to attend outreach and partner meetings, primarily in San Francisco. In addition, this role may require limited evening and weekend commitments.

COVID-19 Vaccination is a condition of employment for all Impact Justice employees. We require employees to be fully vaccinated and up to date per the CDC guidance.

Hiring Process

We plan on making decisions on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply the better. The anticipated start date for the position is March 1, 2025. Please submit a resume and cover letter as a part of this application.

Elements of the Impact Justice hiring process may include phone screen interviews, candidate exercises (written or presentations), Zoom interviews, in-person interviews, and reference checks.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Impact Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race/ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, criminal history, or disability. We work closely with communities of color, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, gender nonconforming, and transgender communities, the formerly incarcerated, and former foster youth. Those with lived experience in these communities are strongly encouraged to apply.