Director of Shelter Services
About The Position
A Safe Place is seeking a Director of Shelter Services to lead its emergency shelter program in Waukegan, Illinois. The role oversees daily operations of emergency shelter and partner hotel shelter programs, ensuring survivors and their families receive comprehensive support, advocacy, and crisis services. It combines direct client support with program leadership, staff development, crisis management, and quality assurance to ensure high-quality services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. At least 60% of work time is dedicated to direct client services. The Director leads shelter operations, coordinates trauma-informed services and community partnerships, supervises staff, interns, and volunteers, and maintains program compliance, documentation, reporting, and quality improvement. The position is based across the emergency shelter, partner hotel locations, agency offices, and community sites, with regular local travel. A flexible schedule is required, including some evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call responsibilities. The role involves responding to high-stress situations and emergency needs, moving throughout shelter and hotel locations, navigating stairs when necessary, and lifting, carrying, or moving items weighing up to 60 pounds. The Director must be comfortable working around companion, emotional support, and service animals.
Requirements
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Public Health, Business Management, or a related field.
- Three to five years of leadership, program management, and staff supervision experience.
- Eligibility as a Mental Health Professional (MHP) or Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) under Illinois guidelines.
- Strong leadership, crisis intervention, communication, and organizational skills.
- Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and active automobile insurance.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call responsibilities.
- Ability to manage high-stress situations involving crisis intervention, trauma, and emergency response while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.
- Ability to move throughout shelter and hotel locations, respond quickly to emergencies, and navigate stairs when necessary.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move supplies, donations, furniture, and other items weighing up to 60 pounds.
- Comfort working around companion animals, emotional support animals, and service animals.
Nice To Haves
- LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, or related professional licensure.
- Experience in domestic violence, shelter, residential, behavioral health, or social service programs.
- Knowledge of Medicaid documentation, IDHS requirements, and CARF standards.
- Experience supervising teams in a 24/7 service environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee daily shelter operations across shelter and hotel locations.
- Ensure consistent, safe, and trauma-informed service delivery.
- Collaborate with agency leadership to establish goals, improve services, and measure outcomes.
- Maintain program compliance with agency policies, funding requirements, and accreditation standards.
- Support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Conduct assessments, intake, safety planning, crisis intervention, and service planning.
- Support survivors in accessing housing, employment, education, childcare, healthcare, transportation, counseling, and legal services.
- Provide education regarding domestic violence, Orders of Protection, and survivor rights.
- Coordinate referrals and ongoing support services.
- Respond to crises and support staff in managing emergency situations.
- Supervise shelter staff, interns, and volunteers.
- Provide coaching, performance feedback, and case consultation.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, and staff development.
- Manage staffing schedules and ensure adequate program coverage.
- Participate in on-call supervision and after-hours emergency response.
- Ensure timely, accurate client documentation and record management.
- Monitor program outcomes, service delivery, and performance measures.
- Support Medicaid documentation and service tracking requirements.
- Prepare reports for leadership, grants, accreditation, and quality improvement efforts.
- Monitor client assistance resources and program expenditures.
- Maintain strong relationships with community providers and partner hotels.
- Coordinate services with internal programs and external agencies.
- Promote collaborative, survivor-centered care across all service areas.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
