Emergency Residential Shelter Director
About The Position
Emergency Residential Shelter Director Waukegan, IL | A Safe Place For nearly 50 years, A Safe Place has provided emergency shelter and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Lake County. We are seeking an experienced operational leader to direct our Emergency Residential Shelter — a 24/7 trauma-informed environment serving high-risk survivors and their children. This is not an entry-level clinical role. This is a leadership position responsible for performance, people, and program outcomes. The Role The Emergency Residential Shelter Director leads all aspects of shelter operations, staff supervision, and service delivery. This position reports to the Chief of Residential Housing and collaborates with executive leadership to ensure ethical, high-quality, and compliant services. The Director is accountable for: 24/7 residential program oversight Staff supervision and development Client service quality and safety standards Operational stability and coverage Community partnerships Program performance metrics This role requires decisive leadership in a crisis-based environment.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field
- 3–5 years of management experience in a residential, shelter, or crisis-based setting
- Direct staff supervision experience
- Strong understanding of domestic violence dynamics
- Experience in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care
- Making independent operational decisions
- Managing high-intensity situations
- Holding staff accountable
- Maintaining clear professional boundaries
- Leading through ambiguity and crisis
Nice To Haves
- Professional licensure (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
- Experience managing 24/7 programs
- Budget oversight or program evaluation experience
- Bilingual Spanish fluency
Responsibilities
- Oversee day-to-day shelter operations and ensure continuous 24/7 coverage
- Manage staffing patterns, scheduling, and on-call rotation
- Ensure compliance with state, grant, and organizational requirements
- Monitor documentation standards and quality assurance processes
- Coordinate use of petty cash, gift cards, bus passes, and emergency client resources
- Directly supervise residential staff, interns, and volunteers
- Coach and address performance concerns proactively
- Support team resilience and manage burnout risks
- Assist in hiring and onboarding new team members
- Ensure trauma-informed service delivery
- Review intake assessments and service plans for quality and appropriateness
- Support complex case consultations
- Advocate for clients with legal, housing, and medical partners
- Partner with the Chief of Residential Housing on annual goals and program planning
- Contribute to data reporting, program evaluation, and performance improvement
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships across Lake County
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Employee Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
