Director of Economic and Community Based Services

North East Kingdom Community Action • St Johnsbury, VT

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Economic and Community Based Services will work closely with the Senior Leadership team to meet NEKCA’s strategic goals and promote NEKCA's Core Values throughout the agency. This position is a community-based leader whose primary duties are ensuring quality service delivery by oversight of NEKCA’s Economic and Community based programs and staff working in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties. The Director is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, management, supervision, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of participant services and programs which include the following departments: Economic Access, Community Services Block Grant, Community and Restorative Justice, Youth Services, Food Access, Housing and Homelessness Services and the See More Thrift Store. The Director provides agency leadership and representation in the community and maintains concurrent programmatic, data and impact, and budgetary reporting responsibilities. The Director is responsible for the planning of new initiatives, securing resources to implement new initiatives, as well as the ongoing operation and evaluation of existing programs. The Director exercises a high degree of independent judgment and decision-making. The Director is part of the agency’s Senior Management team.

Requirements

• BA (required)
• 5-10 years of relevant experience (required)
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to maintain good relations with participants, other staff, and members of the community.
• Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database management systems.
• This position is considered a mandated reporter.
• Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-initiated, may need to work flexible hours (program dependent)
• Demonstrate positive problem-solving skills in stressful situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources to address them.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Complete all required trainings and professional development.
• Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, criminal background and driving records.
• This position requires that employees possess a valid driver's license, favorable driving record results and have access to dependable transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Master's (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Develop and direct the programs within the Economic and Community Based Services with a commitment to excellence, quality improvement, and data driven decision making.
• Review and establish effective program procedures and policies.
• Implement effective systems, program procedures and policies designed for maximum positive impact for NEKCA participants and the communities where they reside.
• Demonstrate program success with quality data and regular reporting to Executive Director, Sr. Management Team, Board of Directors, Grantors and Office of Economic Opportunity.
• Ensure consistency in service delivery across programs with attention to best practices and integration of component areas; encourage continuous improvement of systems.
• Maintain positive program relations and advance advocacy efforts with key community stakeholders, including town governments, legislators, non-profit or state or federal agencies, NEKCA participants, and appropriate private sector businesses and organizations.
• Represent the agency in the broader community initiatives such as committees, task forces, working groups, and partnerships that advance NEKCA’s ability to serve participants and enhance our mission.
• Participate in intra-agency efforts to promote cooperation and communication with other NEKCA programs including team building activities.
• Some travel within NEKCA’s service area and statewide, and occasional regional and national travel, is required.
• Attend and participate in staff, agency, and service provider meetings deemed necessary for job performance.
• Lead a work culture that fosters NEKCA’s Core Values in your work environment.
• Develop a clear vision for the team's work and align it with NEKCA's mission and strategic goals.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff.
• Prepare presentations and trainings for all NKCA staff.
• Ensure timely and accurate time entries for all staff.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of invoices, employee reimbursements, staffing changes, and credit card receipt submission.
• Review and approve transactions in a timely manner.
• Directly provides support and supervision of staff and programmatic guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Conducts annual written evaluations of all staff that assess performance.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with NEKCA policy.
• Facilitates professional development, training, and certification activities to ensure best practices.
• Initiates appropriate action plans to ensure staff work in a safe working environment.
• Actively listen to employees and stakeholders to address their concerns and input while leading staff to self-reflect and develop goals.
• Provide constructive feedback and coaching to help employees grow and succeed.
• Lead teams through periods of change and uncertainty.
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems.
• Manage budgets and resources efficiently while ensuring financial sustainability.
• Collaborate and integrate across programs and departments.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and funders.
• Understanding grant requirements and maintaining accurate files and records accordingly.
• Ensure that NEKCA adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Utilize reflective practices in support of staff as they work with participants.
• Monitor fiscal operations including development, authorization for purchases and fund obligations, and working with the Finance Office on monthly expenditures and timely required financial reports, in accordance with established standards and procedures including those required by funding sources.
• Prepare appropriate grant applications as needed and oversee development of related program contracts and required program evaluations.
• Ensure that all programmatic and reporting guidelines for funding sources are followed.
• Conduct long-range planning for program operations and identify possible sources of funding for continuation or expansion.
• Pursue educational opportunities and training that further professional growth and development within the position.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• NEKCA is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by NEKCA. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director