Lydia Place Housing Program Director

POSITION TITLE: HOUSING PROGRAM DIRECTOR

MISSION: To disrupt the cycle of homelessness and promote sustained independence for current and future generations.

VISION: A compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.

PROGRAM: All Housing Programs

SUPPORTED BY: Executive Director

SALARY RANGE: $66,000-$93,911/annually, exempt

Candidate offers consider experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Entry salary typically in the first third of the range.

BENEFITS PACKAGE: Paid time off for this position includes up to 4 weekly wellness hours, 19 days of PTO in the first year of employment (PTO includes sick time), and 12 paid holidays per year. Other benefits include agency-sponsored medical/dental insurance (current premium covered at rate of 100% for the employee), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), premium Calm meditation app subscription, and employer retirement plan contribution (current rate of 3%) after first year of employment. Lydia Place also provides a supportive, family-friendly work culture with flexible scheduling.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Housing Program Director is responsible for implementing strategic direction in program development, implementation, and evaluation of all Lydia Place housing programs and their direct service delivery. The Housing Program Director will provide supervision of housing program managers and their case management teams, oversee program openings and system collaboration with the Whatcom Homeless Service Center, ensure compliance with service contracts, oversee the property and facility management functions of the Campus Housing Program, oversee the DVSAS Emergency Shelter partnership, track program and contract required outcomes, write grants and prepare corresponding reports, serve as the main point of contact for the Bellingham Housing Authority, represent Lydia Place in various community groups and committees, and serving as a key member of the agency leadership team.

LYDIA PLACE VALUES:

COMMUNITY
We believe strong healthy communities are the foundation to a better world.

EQUITY
We believe it is our responsibility to actively challenge systems of oppression. We recognize a majority of those experiencing homelessness have been marginalized.

UPSTREAM IMPACT
We believe that the best way to eliminate homelessness is to look beyond short-term solutions and focus on breaking the generational cycle of poverty.

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
We value each other as humans first. We know that the best outcomes for our clients and our community are achieved when our team is healthy and thriving.

TO APPLY:  Email resume and detailed cover letter outlining your interest, qualifications, experience, or information that may not be encompassed in your resume such as lived experience that as it relates to this position, in attached .doc or .pdf format to HR & Operations Manager, Haley White at haleyw@lydiaplace.org. You may also submit hard copy materials via PO BOX 28487 Bellingham, WA 98228. Position open until filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: Lydia Place is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on the basis of race, sex/gender, religion/creed, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, genetic markers, military or veteran’s status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Real-world experience has value in the workplace. Individuals who identify with non-dominant groups, who have experienced poverty and had first-hand knowledge working with system resources, and who have relevant, lived experience equivalent to minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field AND;
  • 4 years of case management or direct service experience AND;
• 2 years of experience supervising or managing staff and programs
• 2 years’ experience relevant to: program development, management, and evaluation; organizational leadership; grant writing; fiscal management; policy development and implementation; non-profit administration; and advancing equity
• Basic knowledge of housing and support resources for low-income families in Whatcom County
• Demonstrated experience with contract management and reporting
• Knowledge and experience working with families and providing trauma-informed case management
• Experience working with diverse groups of people; a keen understanding of how to empower, support and motivate staff of varying generations and cultural backgrounds
• A commitment to and experience with equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Proficiency with word processing, Microsoft Office programs, and cloud-based internet software
• Completion of background investigation that includes social security verification, professional reference checks, and a federal criminal background investigation
• Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle and proof of insurance required
• Proficiency in Spanish, Russian or Sign Language preferred

Due to Washington State mandate, all Lydia Place employees and volunteers are required to have full COVID-19 vaccination and ability to furnish proof of such by first day of work for continued employment. Exceptions for individuals with a medical reason or bone fide religious belief will be reviewed and determined by Lydia Place Directors.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES:

Anti-Oppressive Lens
Must be able to adopt anti-oppression, anti-racist, and trauma-informed framework to navigate complex systems of racism, poverty, homelessness, violence against women and children and other systems of oppression.

Effective Communication
Must be able to read and interpret documents, write reports, correspond verbally and in writing with clarity, and must embody active listening skills. Must be able to ask for help when needed and offer help to others when appropriate as well as give and receive feedback. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.

Initiative
Ability to assess and identify actions to address issues independently while knowing when to ask for appropriate support.

Organization
Effectively able to manage time and develop and carry out complex timelines and action plans.  Able to follow policies and procedures.

Integrity
Responsible, reliable, and accountable for actions in all settings. Open and honest about own strengths, limitations, and boundaries.  Able to maintain confidentiality and commitments.

Emotional Intelligence
Must have an awareness of own emotions and be able to manage them while also being able to understand and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Effectively manage disagreements. Ability to manage frequent high stress situations.

Open-mindedness
Adept at holding space for opposing ideas and embrace diversity in all areas of the workplace.

Courage
Willingness to step outside of your comfort zone to address uncertainty, fear, discomfort, inequities.

Curiosity
Positive change and innovation requires that we ask questions. The why’s, why nots, and what-ifs are crucial to this work and we encourage and expect employees to ask questions. We look for curiosity about ourselves, our workplace, the people, and families we serve, and the larger community.

Flexibility
Able to adapt and pivot as situations arise that are unexpected and/or challenging. Embrace needed change and manage well when faced with ambiguity.

Creativity
Thinking outside the box, resourcefulness, trying new things, approaching things differently and moving beyond the status quo.

Collaboration
Embraces a team approach with colleagues, community partners, and can work both individually and part of a team when needed. Supports organizations goals and values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, AND DEVELOPMENT:

• Participate in the planning, development and implementation of the organization’s program goals and objectives
• In collaboration with Executive Director, establish housing program goals and strategic plans, and develop operational documents, forms, policies and procedures
• Participate in Board of Director meetings as requested by Executive Director
• Fill in for housing staff as needed
• Prepare Board reports, grants reports, and other reports as required
• Monitor rental subsidy expenditures as outlined in the program budgets
• Evaluate the services being provided by the agency in relation to specific goals and standards.
• Recommend, design, and implement modifications to services where appropriate
• Ensure that all staff provide high quality, fair, culturally relevant, and accessible services
• Ensure that all program activities and procedures comply with the agency’s policies, procedures, rules and standards. Including issues with health and safety, facilities/maintenance, and security.
• Oversee all program services and activities to ensure program objectives are met
• Assist with the development of funding efforts as needed
• Enroll eligible households in Foundational Community Supports (FCS) and oversee monthly billing for eligible services.
• Receive, process, and respond to client grievances as per program policy.
• Maintain compliance for program services with all local, state, federal and private funding source requirements
• Promote housing staff development through trainings and continued education
• Provide supervision and support to the Property Manager to ensure integration with agency philosophy of service delivery, ensure vacancies are filled in a timely manner, and ensure policies and procedures, lease agreements, related notices/paperwork, and practices adhere to fair Housing and Landlord Tenant Laws, and integrate with service contracts and program goals
• Support the Property Manager in enforcing lease guidelines, following-up on lease violation notices, and triaging tenant issues/complaints
• Support the Property Manager and Facilities and Capital Projects Manager in managing facilities and maintenance tasks, to ensure maintenance needs are resolved in accordance with agency needs and Landlord Tenant Laws
• Provide leadership, guidance, and inspire teamwork for the agency’s staff and volunteers to meet agency goals and set a standard of professional excellence
• Responsible for administering Board-approved personnel policies and ensuring policies are followed
• Responsible for the management/coordination of employees including hiring qualified and diverse staff members, supervising, evaluating, disciplining, and terminating all regular and part-time staff as well as volunteers
• Facilitate regular Team Meetings and Program Meetings
• Responsible for all safety issues and case management working conditions
• Oversee contract partnerships including, but not limited to: the Whatcom County Health Department, City of Bellingham, Whatcom Homeless Service Center/Opportunity Council, Bellingham Housing Authority, and DVSAS

COMMUNICATION, DOCUMENTATATION, OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation including compliance with all contract and confidentiality requirements with regards to client files, enter new households in HMIS, and maintain accurate records in the AGENCY Database.
• Fulfill all duties as a mandated reporter of child abuse or child neglect to DCFS
• Maintain client confidentiality in all circumstances expect those required by law
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and community partners
• Represent Lydia Place at designated community meetings and through public presentations as assigned; preserve positive professional relationships with providers in the community
• Act as back-up staff for the on-call rotation
• Additional duties as assigned

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. Employee also is frequently required to stand, walk, climb, or balance.