Director of Housing Programs - Agate Housing and Services

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Agate Housing and Services is an innovative and collaborative nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We progress toward this goal by providing emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We meet people experiencing homelessness where they are and accompany them on their journey to safe, stable housing and a healthier life. We believe that housing is a basic human right.

Agate Housing and Services values are:

Integrity: Consistently doing the right thing even if it isn't the popular thing.

Equity: Fighting the status quo by actively examining and changing the way things are done to better represent the people who are most impacted by homelessness and hunger.

Humanity: Understanding how these issues impact us- the community, our staff, and the people we work with- as a collective and developing relationships by establishing trust when we put in work to understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Creativity: Responding to the needs of the community with innovative and unique solutions.

Agate Housing and Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AAE, offering competitive pay and exceptional benefits including; medical insurance, employer paid dental and life insurance, short term disability, 4 weeks of paid time off in the first year of employment, and a 401k retirement savings with an employer match.

POSITION DESCRIPTION & OVERVIEW

The Housing Programs Department, the largest department at Agate serves households who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Hennepin County. Our programs include Prevention, Diversion, Coordinated Entry Assessments, Fast Track, Rapid Rehousing, and Long-term Supportive Housing for households with children and adults without children. By offering programs of various intensity and length, we hope to be able to provide the level of service each household needs to be successful. The goal in all our housing programs is to end homelessness by assisting households in stabilizing their housing and achieving self-sufficiency.

The Director of Housing Programs, a member of the Executive Leadership team, is responsible for the strategic vision, design, implementation, and oversight of high-quality housing programs along the continuum of homelessness response interventions. Programs provide case management services, direct assistance, housing search assistance, and other services relevant to ending homelessness for families and single adults of all ages that are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Director of Housing Programs designs and implements housing programs using best practices (including Harm Reduction and Housing First approaches to service delivery) and employs data-driven decision making.

This role currently has two direct reports and over 50 indirect reports.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS

High Quality Service Delivery

• Ensure agency housing programs are employing up-to-date best practices and a data-driven approach to service delivery.
• Utilize program data to refine established service offerings with a goal of continuous improvement.
• Track and monitor progress of programs ensuring successful program operations.
• Coach, develop, and support leadership staff within the Housing Department to equip them to provide quality supervision to direct service staff.

Staff Supervision

• Directly supervise two direct reports that collectively supervise over 50 staff and interns.
• Provide leadership, direction, support, coaching, and supervision to the Associate Directors of Housing Programs, and the housing program managers, and the staff and interns who are providing case management and other direct services to program participants.
• Engage staff in the vision and strategic planning for housing programs in coordination with the rest of the organization.
• Work towards creating a workplace environment that fosters staff growth, development, and overall wellbeing.

Contract Management and Outcome Management

• Lead programs in developing measurable outcomes and work plans in coordination with the Director of Contracts and Compliance.
• Ensure that programs are in compliance with all contractual obligations.
• Work with the Finance Director and the Director of Contracts and Compliance to develop program budgets and oversee the management of various funding sources.
• Support the Vice President of External Relations and the Director of Contracts and Compliance in seeking funding opportunities, writing grant proposals, and submitting reports to funders.

Program Development and Design

• Lead program development in response to community need and appropriate funding opportunities.
• Ensure successful program roll-out and implementation.
• Work closely with the Development and Contracts Departments to identify and pursue funding opportunities for the housing programs.
• Communicate regularly with government and foundation funders, participate in site visits and audits, and assist with program reports to funders.

Ensure strong community partnerships and collaborations to advance mission

• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with community partners in other agencies, in government, business (especially landlords), service recipients, and other sectors of the community.
• Represent the agency and provide leadership in community meetings including local, state, and national meetings and convenings regarding efforts to end homelessness.
• Represent the agency and work with higher education regarding intern program development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

Sedentary work - Sitting most of the time with occasional walking. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 7 years management experience in a social service setting that includes work with budgets, contract management, and supervision of both managers and direct service staff.
• Minimum 7 years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Strong track record of developing and implementing programs in the non-profit sector.
• Experience with managing programs with multiple funding streams, including government and private funding. Strong team-building skills are essential and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously is essential.
• Must pass a background check, and have a valid driver's license.

In addition, successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills, and abilities:

• Commitment to Agate Housing and Services values and mission of ending homelessness.
• Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture both within Agate Housing and Services and the broader community.
• Holds the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
• Ability to work respectfully with clients, coworkers, and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through the use of trauma informed care, client centered care, and strengths-based approaches.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.

Experience that gives applicants the required skills, abilities, and perspectives listed above are commonly gained through one or more of the following:

• Personal experience with homelessness.
• Experience working, interning, or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness.
• An Associates, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work (with accompanying licensure), Human Services, or Family Studies.

We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply. However, if you have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years this will make you ineligible for employment.

This position requires use of your own personal vehicle for Agency business and will be required to maintain liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. In addition to criminal background studies, applicants must have a valid Driver's License and pass a driving record background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) and accompanying licensure (LGSW, LISW, or LICSW), or graduate degree in human service administration, program evaluation, or organizational leadership.

REFERRAL BONUS PROGRAM

Do you know someone who you think would be a good fit for a position at our organization? Please refer them! Agate Housing and Services offers a $250 bonus to employees who refer qualified candidates for current openings. The referring candidate must clearly state the name of the employee who referred them in the section of the application that requests this information.

The Referral Bonus Form must be submitted to Human Resources no later than 30 days after the referred employees begin employment. Any Referral forms submitted after 30 days will not be processed.

To be eligible for rewards, candidates must be hired as permanent full or part-time employees (this excludes on-call, employees, temporary employees, interns, or contract workers).

When applying for the position, candidates must clearly state the name of the current employee that referred them. The referral bonus will be paid out within one month of the candidate's six (6) month anniversary. There is no cap on the number of referral bonuses an employee can receive!

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under "Apply Now" and you will be directed to the full application, where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you have previously created an account to apply for a position at Agate Housing and Services, log in to your account before attempting to apply for another position.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls please.

Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and strives to promote an environment that is diverse and inclusive where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employees actively participate in various committees that give voice to staff to create active participation and involvement in shaping the future of our agency.

Agate Housing and Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.