Program Manager - Offender Services

kinexus; Benton Harbor, Paw Paw (MI, MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinexus Group in Michigan is seeking a Program Manager for Pathway Home 6 to lead reentry services across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.

You will supervise staff, ensure compliance with DOL and WIOA metrics, and build partnerships with correctional facilities, service providers, and employers to deliver high-quality, timely services for justice-involved individuals pre- and post-release. You are expected to be proactive, organized, and mission-driven in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, public administration, or related field.
• 3–5 years of program management experience in workforce development or reentry services.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities.
• Willingness to travel between program sites.

Responsibilities

• Oversee pre- and post-release services including job readiness, occupational training, mental health referrals, and housing coordination.
• Supervise Program Coordinator and Case Managers across three county jails.
• Ensure fidelity to grant requirements, including WIOA performance metrics and recidivism tracking.
• Lead ongoing program evaluation, process improvement and staff development initiatives.
• Represent the program at local, regional, and state workforce development meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, public administration, or related field

Tools

LS/CMI

Job description

This position will support the Pathway Home 6 grant. This grant provides funding for workforce development programs that support incarcerated individuals. The program goal is to improve employment outcomes and reduce recidivism by offering job training and other supportive services during incarceration and upon reentry into the community.

OUR ORGANIZATION:

Kinexus Group, recognized as one of Nonprofit Times 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2026 Best Nonprofits to Work For, is a cutting-edge community development organization with growing initiatives to create an economically thriving Michigan. We are change agents who create solutions for business, workforce, and community challenges to promote economic vitality.

The Offender Services Team is comprised of competent and caring resource professionals who are innovative, resourceful, collaborative, and helpful in facilitating the reentry process for justice involved individuals who access resources at Kinexus Group. This responsibility requires that we be service oriented relative to the needs of all referred participants, while still assuring that all services adhere to federal, state and local policies and procedures, financial requirements as established through funding sources.

We lead by example by holding true to a high standard of excellence that drives positive outcomes for justice involved individuals. The Offender Services department strives to be exemplary in all activities and to continuously exceed expectations.

OUR DESIRED OUTCOMES:

Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren expects the Program Manager to lead the Pathway Home 6 program with strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to reentry success. You will be responsible for driving outcomes, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with Department of Labor and WIOA performance measures. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills to coordinate partners, guide case management strategies, and ensure timely, high-quality service delivery for justice-involved individuals pre- and post-release. You are expected to be proactive, accountable, and adaptable in a dynamic, high-impact environment.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU:

As the Program Manager for Pathway Home 6, you will lead the daily operations, and overall performance of the reentry program across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. We expect you to supervise staff, ensure compliance with Department of Labor performance metrics, and foster strong partnerships with correctional facilities, service providers, and employers. You must bring a proactive, organized, and mission-driven approach, demonstrating strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic environment. Your ability to drive results, support team development, and continuously seek improvements will be key to achieving successful outcomes for justice-involved individuals and ensuring the program's long-term impact and sustainability.

Program Oversight & Management

Oversee implementation of pre- and post-release services including job readiness, occupational training, mental health referrals, and housing coordination.

Supervise and support the Program Coordinator and Case Managers across three county jails.

Ensure fidelity to grant requirements, including WIOA performance metrics and recidivism tracking.

Partnership Coordination

Serve as the primary liaison to jail administrators, probation officers, public defenders, and community partners.

Coordinate partner access to correctional facilities and facilitate collaborative case management meetings.

Support development of employer and training provider partnerships for job placement and credentialing.

Data & Compliance

Ensure accurate and timely data collection, entry, and analysis using LS/CMI and other workforce systems.

Monitor WIOA indicators, measurable skill gains (MSGs), credential attainment, and employment outcomes.

Prepare and submit quarterly and annual reports in collaboration with the Performance Manager.

Strategic Leadership

Lead ongoing program evaluation, process improvement, and staff development initiatives.

Identify service gaps and propose strategies for enhancement and sustainability.

Represent the program at local, regional, and state workforce development meetings.

MINUMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, public administration, or a related field.

Minimum of 3-5 years of program management experience, preferably in workforce development or reentry services.

Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and project management skills.

Ability to travel regularly between program sites.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

Strong understanding of WIOA metrics and workforce system operations.

Experience working directly with justice-involved individuals or systems.

Familiarity with LS/CMI or similar case management and risk assessment tools.

Lived experience with incarceration a