Director of Homeless Services

Interfaith Works•Olympia, WA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Interfaith Works (IW) is a nonprofit in Olympia, WA, dedicated to advancing the social inclusion and empowerment of our neighbors experiencing homelessness through innovative sheltering, mental health, and emergency basic-needs coordination. We view our work not as charity but as an act of social justice. This isn't just a job- it's an opportunity to build a meaningful career in a mission-driven workplace where compassion and collaboration come first, and where your growth truly matters. The Director of Homeless Services at Interfaith Works (IW) acts as a core member of the four-person Executive Leadership Team, serving as a professional and developmental executive Administrative department. The Executive Leadership Team of Interfaith Works acts as the professional and development executive team responsible for Interfaith Works as a whole and for specific departments, programs, and activities. They provide visioning, strong leadership, and direction. The Executive Leadership Team reports to the Board of Directors to ensure that; 1. all services and expressions offered are rooted in the ethics and values of Interfaith Works 2. organizational resources and staff are managed properly 3. administrative systems are managed efficiently and productively 4. the mission, goals, and activities of Interfaith Works are carried out professionally, with the respect and cooperation that are hallmarks of the organization The Director of Homeless Services is responsible for the professional leadership, strategic direction, and continuous operation of IW’s frontline homeless services. This role ensures that all programs – including the 24/7 Supportive Shelter at Unity Commons, Sergio’s Service Center, and Hazardous Weather Response – are executed with absolute fidelity to the principles of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care.

Requirements

MPH, MSW, MPA, or equivalent executive experience preferred.
Minimum of 5 years in high-level program management, human or social service leadership, or community organizing - preferably working with adults experiencing homelessness, mental health and/or substance use challenges.
Personal lived experience may substitute for some of the work experience requirements.
Demonstrated expertise in anti-oppressive practices, cultural humility, and the ability to work effectively in multicultural situations.
Demonstrated de-escalation skills.
Must successfully pass a Washington State Patrol background check.
To effectively fulfill the responsibilities of this role, employees must be able to maintain a stationary position for extended periods while also remaining mobile to conduct regular site rounds throughout the day.
The position requires the physical agility to respond rapidly during de-escalation scenarios.
Candidates must be able to effectively exchange information via verbal communication and possess the manual dexterity to operate computer systems and peripherals.
Occasional lifting or moving of materials up to 25 pounds is required.
Role-specific visual acuity is necessary, including the ability to perceive depth, distinguish colors, and maintain clear focus at various distances to ensure a safe environment.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals who successfully meet all job requirements.
We participate in E-Verify.
As a US employer, we provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
If you believe you have been subject to discrimination during the E-Verify process, you have the right to contact the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices.
For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the website at www.e-verify.gov

Responsibilities

Ensure the attainment and management of resources to support operations while responsibly steering funds in accordance with the law.
Ensure that financial records are kept up to date and in compliance with all laws and relevant grants and contracts.
Direct fundraising activities in support of their programs and general needs of the organization, and support the responsible diversification of funding by using methods such as grant writing, large donor development, planned giving, and special events.
Oversee accounting duties and, together with the Board Finance Committee, contribute to monthly accounting reports and periodic fiscal forecasts for the board.
Prepare an annual budget for the board’s approval.
Ensure the development and implementation of, and adherence to, all relevant policies and procedures throughout the organization’s programs and administration to support organizational growth and emerging technology/opportunities.
Charged with recruiting, hiring, firing, vetting, training, and developing qualified and effective personnel to perform all necessary organizational functions related to Human Resources, Development, Fiscal management, and programmatic staff.
Charged with evaluating all professional/managerial staff as well as evaluating ongoing contracted services.
Develop the strategic plan and annual budgets that guide the organization to submit to the board of directors for collaborative development and finalization.
Create and foster a supportive and respectful work environment that encourages retention and ethical conduct, mission alignment, and inspires staff to work at their highest level.
Work in partnership with all relevant support and advisory committees to create and implement planning, development, and fundraising efforts for the organization.
Assist the Board President in developing meeting agendas and productive meeting processes. Responsible, with the Board of Directors, for ensuring that all relevant and necessary administrative requirements, standards, and records are current, accessible, and in legal and contractual compliance.
Responsible for the maintenance and safeguarding of all IW locations, both owned and leased.
Operate smoothly and competently as a unified team of staff directors.
Ensure the effective organization, staffing and coordination of all programs, and all other collaborative expressions of Interfaith Works.
Facilitate collaboration with the Board of Directors, applicable committees, and program management of all policies, procedures, budgets, and methods to fulfill organizational objectives. Undertake with these same collaborative partners, the evaluation of all sponsored activities, events, and services.
Effectively communicate the organization’s goals, projects, and successes through website resources, publications, social media, media relations, and direct outreach, including timely notification of meetings, programs and events, with the community/all applicable parties.
Ensure that all programs are consistent with current mission/goals of Interfaith Works.
Oversee program development; Develop and implement all programs. Propose plans to the board for expanding and funding existing services. Identify growth opportunities for programs. Intentionally create support opportunities for community engagement. Evaluate programs on identified metrics to assess effectiveness.
Ensure adherence to best practices through creation and facilitation of ongoing staff- and community-wide training.
Prioritize opportunities for representation of Interfaith Works to external organizations.
Engage community partners, including local government, business, community and civic organizations and others, to establish effective working relationships and cooperative arrangements that further the mission and vision of Interfaith Works to create a stronger community presence for Interfaith Works.
Provide educational presentations and materials to local government, business, community and civic organizations and others, to better inform them of Interfaith Works programs and mission.
Network and represent Interfaith Works at local, statewide, regional, and national conferences.
Coordinate effectively with the Executive Leadership Team, and defer to the appropriate Staff Director for all video, audio, and print media opportunities and responses.
Maintain a positive reputation with program managers, staff, clients, service receivers, and others to ensure and encourage adherence to Interfaith Works Grievance Policy in accordance with all organizational and legal standards.
Coordinate neighborhood, faith community, and broad-based community outreach.
Create meaningful opportunities for the community to engage with all aspects of the work of the organization.
Maintain the continuous operation of the 58-bed supportive shelter at Unity Commons and the resource hub at Sergio’s Service Center.
Act as the executive lead for all hazardous weather initiatives, coordinating staffing capacity and location logistics when emergency alerts are declared by the County.
Provide high-level oversight and actively engage with applications and compliance for program grants, including the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Serve as a mandatory contact for Level 4 Catastrophic incidents (e.g. serious injury, structural disaster). In the event of a guest or staff death, the Director is required to come on-site to manage logistics with external responders and provide direct emotional support to the team.
Represent IW in the broader homeless response system by attending collaborative community meetings. Advocate for guests and the homeless services workforce on a public platform.
Establish effective working relationships with local government, business owners, and civic organizations to establish strong lines of community presence and awareness of best practices in homeless services. Primary media contact for all media response relevant to Homeless Services issues and/or as delegated by the Executive Leadership Team.
Provide supportive supervision, build trust, validate staff experiences, and guide the homeless services management team and frontline staff.
Facilitate the Accountability and Follow Through process for management-level staff, focusing on restorative outcomes and solving patterns of performance issues.