HOTLINE: 800-439-6507 indhouse@indhouse.net

Director of Domestic & Sexual Violence Residential & Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter

INDEPENDENCE HOUSE, INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Director of Domestic & Sexual Violence Residential & Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter

Independence House encourages applicants of diverse races, all abilities, sexual orientation, and genders to submit application

Hours: 35.00 Hours/Week
Salary: competitive
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vacation, Sick & 403(b)
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervisory responsibilities are included in this position

This is a key leadership position at Independence House, Inc. (IH) a comprehensive domestic & sexual violence community-based agency and shelter program in Barnstable County that focuses on meeting the unique and cultural needs intimate partner violence and sexual assault of survivors and their children. We provide safety, food, shelter, advocacy, counseling, homicide victim survivor support and other resources to assist survivors in rebuilding violence-free lives for themselves and their children. IH is committed to the values of inclusivity, equality, anti-oppression, non-hierarchical structure, and a non-judgmental and empowering work environment. IH works closely with other agencies in the community, to offer a comprehensive network of resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children and survivors of homicide victims. IH works with these agencies and other community groups to provide education, prevention, and training about domestic & sexual violence toward community transformation and change. Please see our website at www.independencehouse.org for more information.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Domestic & Sexual Violence Residential & Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter is responsible for the smooth functioning of the Sexual & Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter, Housing Stabilization Programs, and SAFEHOME Program along with compassionate and respectful delivery of sexual & domestic violence & rape crisis center community based concrete services. Attending to the day to day on site service delivery related operations in collaboration with other program directors at the agency; active participation and leadership ensuring high quality services and program standards are key requirements of the person in this position along with implementing programs in accordance with agency strategic plan and funder requirements.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Director of Sexual & Domestic Violence Residential & Community Based Advocacy, Operations Support & Essential Concrete Survivor Services reports to the Executive Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The person in this position oversees operational aspects and delivery of essential concrete services of Sexual & Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter, Housing Stabilization Program, SAFEHOME. Supervises shelter SAFEHOME and housing stabilization activities, Emergency Shelter and Housing Stabilization Program Advocates and Child Care Professionals during provision of services to Shelter Programs and Housing Stabilization Programs.

MAJOR DUTIES

  • Provide effective, regular ongoing Supervision to the Housing Stabilization, SAFEHOME, and Emergency Shelter Program staff and provide direct client services as needed.
  • Ensure staff is adequately trained and supported to provide services
  • Ensure compliance with all program requirements-billing, time sheets, data collection-empower database, ensure appropriate documentation
  • Oversee daily operations of residential services, including scheduling to ensure adequate coverage always. Responsible for coordinating concrete services for all programs including Housing Stabilization Program funds, gift cards, supporting/facilitating holiday programs
  • Conduct client needs assessments for residential programs and conduct intakes as necessary for community-based clients serving as a team member/back up support with other program directors
  • Use “Difficult Conversations” to guide conflict resolution and communication
  • Promote “How the Earth Didn’t Fly into The Sun” model
  • Develop and mentor staff and promote ongoing learning
  • Demonstrate leadership and maintain skills by providing individual counseling, advocacy, support group co-facilitation in proportion to director responsibilities
  • Participate in supervisor of the day coverage
  • Assist in providing requested information for grants renewal and ongoing requirements as needed by Executive Director
  • Serve as program liaison with community as needed and appropriate to position
  • Participate in all staff meetings, task forces, committees, facilitate survivor led advisory groups as needed
  • Coordinate with all programs in agency to ensure high quality coordinated services including, SAFEPLAN, Children Exposed to Domestic Violence/Child/Teen, Satellite Offices
  • Support staff to as well as assist clients in identifying and adhering to their educational, vocational, and personal goals while in the Sexual & Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter and Housing Stabilization Programs
  • Provide supervision around individual and group instruction in parenting, money management, and daily living skills with the assistance of agency and community resources as needed
  • Provide supervision around weekly individual case management and family casework to help clients address issues related to sexual and domestic violence and independent living.
  • Maintain documentation of supervision sessions and provide to executive director monthly
  • Facilitate housing stabilization and emergency shelter domestic violence meetings, including regular shelter case meetings
  • Track and document statistics and data required by agency and funding sources
  • Keep records and time sheets required by agency
  • Write monthly program reports and complete monthly statistics required for billing for residential programs
  • Ensure timely and proper documentation for Emergency Shelter, Housing Stabilization Programs, and concrete services
  • Ensure proper intake and termination procedures are followed
  • Serve as back up to hotline
  • Provide Emergency Shelter coverage as meets the needs of the program
  • In collaboration with Independence House operations staff oversee upkeep and maintenance of residential programs facilities
  • Plan and lead staff meeting with Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter personnel and attend other meetings as requested
  • Provide accurate and timely reports that are required by the agency, and various funding sources. This also includes providing quality assurance for the Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter’s database, paperwork, and client feedback
  • Provide shift coverage and back up to staff as needed ensure to create 24/7 coverage of shelter
  • Recruit, and participate in team interview, train and, and supervise advocates and volunteers working in the agency’s Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter and Housing Stabilization Program
  • In partnership with Executive Director oversee residential moves, property searches for new buildings and new lease executions
  • Serve as contact person for Housing Stabilization Program and shelter facilities concerns and report important issues to Executive Director immediately
  • Provide community outreach and education regarding rape, sexual assault and domestic violence as part of agency team
  • Participate as training team members and coordinate to ensure training of new staff
  • Provide data to Executive Director for annual program reports as requested
  • Coordinate application and approval process of Housing Stabilization clients. Coordinate client protocol, procedures, and transfers.
  • Ensure that program units and Emergency Shelter rooms are always occupied by filling program vacancies within one week of clients moving out of Housing Stabilization Program and immediately completing shelter bed updates. Exceptions would include vacancies due to building renovations or major repairs
  • Ensure that all client policies and procedures are strictly adhered to
  • Document client complaints, grievances, and warnings
  • Coordinate with other Independence House staff
  • Represent Independence House at community and statewide meetings
  • Collect and document program fees on a timely basis
  • Follow up with any maintenance and repair requests of program participants, ensure compliance with building health codes, ADA requirements and insure proper living conditions for clients.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Working knowledge of individual and group counseling, specific to sexual & domestic violence, parenting, and life skill development.
  • Must work cooperatively with all directors and staff
  • Must collaborate with Clinical Director to meet needs of survivors as appropriate
  • Knowledge of requirements of Rape Crisis Centers in Massachusetts
  • Knowledge of Department of Public Health funded contract requirements
  • Competent in assessing use of Housing Stabilization Program funds
  • Competency recognizing and responding effectively to survivors who are evidencing trauma responses
  • Must complete timely staff evaluations
  • Ability to assess needs and construct case management plans
  • Working knowledge of housing and community resources
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both in spoken and written words
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Knowledge on and experience in advocating for clients
  • Ability to empower clients to advocate for themselves
  • Clear understanding of the unique circumstances surrounding homelessness due to domestic abuse
  • Knowledge of the services available to sexual & domestic violence survivors who are homeless
  • Sensitivity to sexual & domestic violence survivors and their children.
  • Training in domestic violence and conflict resolution.
  • Ability to speak in public.
  • Access to reliable transportation and possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
  • Ability to work under stress and crisis related situations
  • Must be a team player
  • Must meet deadline without exceptions
  • Must demonstrate competency in ambiguity and problem solving in the moment
  • Must demonstrate competency in residential living dynamics and ability to effectively respond to and support staff in responding to and managing conflicts
  • Demonstrate competency in assessing use of Housing Stabilization Program funds
  • Competency recognizing and responding effectively to survivors who are evidencing trauma responses
  • Must support and ensure implementation /practice “How the Earth Didn’t Fly into the sun”
  • Demonstrate full commitment to and practice of the empowerment model
  • Understanding of strengths-based approach to working with survivors
  • Must complete timely staff evaluations
  • Ability to assess needs and construct case management plans
  • Working knowledge of housing and community resources
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both in spoken and written words
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Knowledge on and experience in advocating for clients
  • Ability to empower clients to advocate for themselves
  • Clear understanding of the unique circumstances surrounding homelessness due to domestic abuse and sexual violence
  • Knowledge of the services available to sexual & domestic violence survivors who are homeless

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidate should have a bachelor’s degree and 5 years’ experience in the field, or equivalent experience, and experience providing supervision, case management, life skills development, group facilitation and individual counseling. Must have a thorough understanding and analysis of sexual and domestic violence as forms of oppression and professional and personal boundaries, and demonstrate application of such; must be willing to engage in difficult and direct communication and contribute to a healthy positive work culture. Understanding of housing issues, knowledge of community resources, and sensitivity to the needs of sexual & domestic violence survivors, and their children is required. Must be committed to and comfortable with diversity and demonstrate commitment to inclusivity. Must be able to communicate and work effectively with a diverse population of clients and must be able to work effectively as an individual as well as a team member.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Must demonstrate ethics in communication and behaviors
Integrity
Positive “can do” attitude
Be dependable and demonstrate a strong work ethic
Passion and excitement for our mission
Commitment to ongoing learning for self and staff
Commitment to supervision

To Be Considered: Please send a resume and a cover letter with salary requirements to: CarrieH@indhouse.net
Please write “IH Application- [Your Last Name]” in the subject line.
No phone calls, please. 

Independence House, Inc.is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, or disability and denial of family medical leave and pregnancy leave. This search is being conducted by Independence House, Inc.