Careers

Join the First Place for Youth team!

MAKE AN IMPACT

Be a part of our diverse, mission-driven team striving across the country to ensure foster youth lead opportunity-rich and choice-filled lives.

BUILDING A JUST WORLD

First Place is dedicated to removing barriers and creating a more equitable future for foster youth. Our team believes in the limitless potential of every individual.

CHANGING THE ODDS

Since 1998, First Place has pioneered California’s extended foster care programs, providing housing and comprehensive services to transition-age foster youth. Our 25-year track record speaks for itself.

CREATING EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS

Since our inception, we have been providing results-driven service to young people, building evidence, and changing public policies to improve the lives of as many transition-age foster youth as possible.

JOIN US

Become part of a transformative organization that drives lasting change and ensures a brighter future for all transition-age foster youth.

“Working at First Place has been a pivotal change for me. It has encouraged me to know more, do more and become more than what I knew. I value being part of a team that is changing the concept of what independence looks like, what hope feels like and how life can be after emancipation.”

Carmen Gomez, Youth Development Specialist

The Work We Do

First Place’s Strategic Pillars

DEMONSTRATE

Continue to demonstrate programmatic success in facilitating youth attainment of self-sufficiency

SUSTAIN

Increase financial sustainability by closing gaps in publicly funded programs and exploring strategic partnerships for innovation and expansion

EXPAND

Increase organizational focus on expanding influence and advocacy for system change in California and nationwide

TRANSFORM

Advance principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, transforming First Place for Youth to a further equitable, anti-racist institution

Teams and Roles

Providing comprehensive support to young people as they build the skills for healthy, independent lives as adults.

Guiding young people in pursuit of education and career pathways that lead to long-term living-wage employment.

Working with property owners and First Place support teams to ensure participants have safe housing that meets their needs.

Measuring the impacts and outcomes of First Place programs to ensure the effectiveness of programs and support ongoing improvements.

Advancing First Place’s mission and vision through legislative advocacy and strategic collaboration with provider and stakeholder partners.

Expanding the national reach of First Place programs and supporting our network of provider partners in delivering high-quality services.

Building awareness and strengthening relationships with supporters to ensure sustainable funding for our work.

Ensuring the smooth financial operations of the organization across all programs and offices.

Shepherding and monitoring First Place’s partnerships and government contracts.

Enabling organizational success through recruitment, retention, and administrative management.

Shaping and advancing the long-term vision of First Place’s programs and advocacy.

Valuing Our Employees

First Place for Youth is a premier organization, and we want our talent to feel excited, appreciated, and valued at work. We are committed to recognizing and rewarding individual and group performance by providing equitable and competitive compensation. In addition to being a Certified Age-Friendly Employer for 50+, First Place offers a generous benefits package to help our employees maintain a healthy life-work balance.

Generous Benefits

  • 15 vacation days in year 1 and increasing with tenure
  • 12 days of sick time
  • 2 floating holidays
  • 15 paid holidays
  • Paid sabbatical
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness support
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Monthly phone and data stipend
  • Monthly parking reimbursement
  • Bilingual differential for designated bilingual positions

Comprehensive Benefits Package

  • Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
  • 90% premiums covered for employees and 70% paid premiums for dependents
  • Employer-paid Long-term Disability and Basic Life Insurance
  • Employer-paid Employee Assistance Plan
  • Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
  • Commuter Benefits for parking and transit
  • Legal Shield plan options
  • Aflac Supplemental insurance
  • Paid baby bonding leave

Professional Development

  • Promotional opportunities across the agency
  • Continuing education annual reimbursement program
  • Leadership development programs
  • Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

Retirement Savings

Employees are automatically enrolled into our Fidelity 401K retirement savings plan, which includes a partial employer match of contributions.

Impactful Careers in a Supportive Environment

Hear from our passionate team about the unique opportunities, dynamic projects, and the fulfilling impact we make every day.

From interns to program supervisors, youth advocates to finance leaders, our diverse team members share how First Place for Youth has been instrumental in shaping their careers.
Listen to our team members share their experiences at First Place for Youth where diversity is celebrated, questions are encouraged, and every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.
From the joy of impacting lives to the flexibility and creativity in your work, find out why First Place for Youth is not just a workplace but a community of growth and meaningful impact.
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