Senior Program Manager - Teen haven

Water Street Mission; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Water Street Mission is seeking a full‑time Teen Haven Director to lead the middle and high school ministry, guiding faith formation and leadership development. You will supervise staff and volunteers, plan Bible studies, and ensure a safe, mission‑aligned environment for students with a focus on spiritual growth and family partnership.

The role requires 4+ years in human services or ministry, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to train and coordinate volunteers.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; postsecondary coursework in a related field preferred
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in human services or ministry (youth ministry preferred)
• Valid driver’s license with ability to complete van training
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus, strong communication and relational skills

Responsibilities

• Build intentional, Christ-centered relationships with middle and high school youth, guiding faith formation, discipleship, and growth
• Provide supervisory leadership to Teen Haven staff, ensuring practices align with Talent Stewardship
• Lead and support staff in planning engaging Bible studies, discussions, and activities for spiritual, social, and emotional development
• Oversee development, coordination, and year‑round Teen Haven ministry for middle and high school students
• Create and maintain a safe, fun, supportive environment, partnering with families, volunteers, and staff
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers and staff, representing Teen Haven with partners and donors
• Coordinate with Teen Haven/WSM staff to ensure youth safety
• Collaborate across Next Gen Ministries to align transitions for students and families
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Skills

Staff supervision

Discipleship

Youth engagement

Volunteer management

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

For Water Street Mission to fulfill our mission and purpose, it is critical for all staff to participate in the development and maintenance of a healthy Christian Community. By living out our faith with one another and creating a space where our guests are invited to experience that community with us, we participate in lives being restored. Even as some positions have minimal direct contact with guests, each staff member has an essential role in forming and maintaining Christian community. The love of Christ, evidenced in our Water Street community, is the real impetus for change with our guests.

Summary

Leads Teen Haven’s middle and high school ministry by guiding students’ faith and leadership development, supervising staff and volunteers, and ensuring a safe, engaging, and mission-aligned environment. September through May hours 11 am - 7 pm. June through August, this role is 8 am - 4 pm.

FLSA: Non-Exempt, Full Time

All Water Street Mission staff must be:

• Willing to sign the Water Street Mission Statement of Faith

• A current and active member and/or regular attendee of a local church

• Able to fully support the Water Street Mission core values and ministry philosophy

Essential Functions

Culture and Values

• Share the Good News of Jesus Christ in words and actions with people we serve, communicating hope and dignity

• Walk alongside fellow WSM staff in Christian community as we journey toward maturity

• Encourage restoration in the lives of guests, recognizing we are each restored by God to become restorers

• Work in full coordination with other WSM staff at all times to identify, report and respond appropriately to any potential threats to the safety and wellbeing of guests

• Embody, encourage and cultivate WSM culture, purpose, mission and values in words and actions

Role Specific Responsibilities

• Build intentional, Christ-centered relationships with middle and high school youth, guiding faith formation, discipleship, and personal and leadership growth

• Provide supervisory leadership to Teen Haven staff, ensuring practices align with Water Street Mission’s Talent Stewardship model, enabling the team to successfully reach established goals.

• Lead and support staff in planning and facilitating engaging Bible studies, discussions, talks, and activities that foster students’ spiritual, social, and emotional development

• Oversee the development, coordination, and management of year-round Teen Haven ministry for middle and high school students, ensuring alignment with mission and values

• Create and maintain a safe, fun, and supportive environment, partnering with families, volunteers, and staff to promote overall student wellbeing

• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers and staff, while representing Teen Haven with community partners and donors to enhance student engagement

• Work in full coordination with Teen Haven/WSM staff team at all times to identify, report and respond appropriately to any potential threats to the safety and wellbeing of youth

• Collaborate across the Next Gen Ministry to strengthen coordination and ensure smooth transitions for students and families between Elementary, Middle and High School programs and Compass

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or GED required; postsecondary coursework in a related field preferred

Experience

Minimum of 4 years’ experience in human services or ministry (youth ministry preferred) Valid driver’s license with ability to complete WSM-required 15-passenger-van training.

Communication Skills

Strong communication and relational skills, ability to engage effectively with children and families, bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus, cultural awareness and interpersonal sensitivity

Reports To

Teen Haven Director

Key Internal Relationships

Teen Haven (Elem-High), Compass and Next Gen Ministries

Physical Demands

Occasionally = 1%-33%; Frequently = 34%-66%; Continuously = 67%-100%

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Stand, walk, or sit – Continuously

Use of fine motor skills – Continuously

Bend, squat, kneel, and reach – Occasionally

Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds – Occasionally

Christian Life

Water Street Mission is a privately funded 501(c) 3 non-profit, evangelical Christian ministry. Our designated purpose is religious, and we are a Christ-centered ministry that is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping the homeless and impoverished. We consider every position to be essential in the fulfillment of our ministry and purpose statement. As such, each employee must have a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. All employees must:

• Be able and willing to share the Gospel and participate in the ministry activities of Water Street Mission.

• Subscribe to the Water Street Mission Statement of Faith and Qualifications of Employment upon hire and continuously while employed.

• Adhere to the Water Street Mission Employee Handbook.