Homeless Services Supervisor

City of Charlottesville•Charlottesville, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Homeless Services Supervisor performs responsible supervisory, administrative, and field-based human services work supporting individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. Supervises and coordinates the delivery of case management, service navigation, and housing stabilization services while providing guidance and field support to staff engaged in community-based outreach and client engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field such as social work, psychology, sociology, or related field AND 4 years of work experience related to case management, self-sufficiency programs, homelessness services, housing programs, behavioral health, or other related area, of which 1 year was in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
OR Associate degree in Human Services field such as Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, or related field AND 6 years of work experience related to case management, self-sufficiency programs, homelessness services, housing programs, behavioral health, or other related area, of which 1 year was in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
OR High School Diploma or GED AND 8 years of work experience related to case management, self-sufficiency programs, homelessness services, housing programs, behavioral health, or other related area, of which 1 year was in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
OR An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.
Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to City’s criteria.
Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Advanced knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, policies, procedures, and ordinances, particularly those relating to or affecting self-sufficiency, housing, and the unhoused.
Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of social work, counseling, and case management.
Advanced knowledge of human behavior, crisis intervention, and current social, economic, and related issues related to housing stability.
Extensive knowledge of available resources, services, support, and public assistance programs available.
Knowledge of public outreach concepts or techniques.
Knowledge of effective personnel management.
Ability to read, investigate, research, analyze, and understand complex written materials such as regulations, policies, professional journals, case work, financial reports and/or legal documents.
Ability to organize data, maintain accurate records, and write clear and concise reports, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.
Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences to explain information.
Ability to work with and understand number systems, simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios, and measurements; and prepare statistical reports.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, families, city staff, service providers, other agencies, and the public.
Provides and receives standard to more complex information to various audiences.
May include interactions that involve stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus.
Requires recognizing different points of view to ensure understanding and appropriate response.
Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding.
Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally.
Case management is completed with little oversight and may be reviewed periodically or upon completion.
Performance reviewed periodically.
Skilled: comprehensive knowledge of techniques for interviewing, counseling and investigating.
Uses analytical judgment to develop comprehensive courses of action for clients.
Applies understanding of behavior and social, economic and behavioral health problems.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and department systems/software.
Monitor program budget and disbursement of funding.
Authorizes funding usage for related support activities, or emergency support needs.
Supervises, monitors and directs work performance of subordinate staff.
Makes decisions, or input carries substantial weight on hiring, discipline, work objectives/goals, performance evaluation and work assignments.
Effective time management and organizational skills; sometimes under strict time constraints.
Sound independent judgment in fast-paced and potentially stressful situations.
Tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness in meeting problems and in situations.
Independently prioritizes, balances, and assesses multiple complex tasks and service demands simultaneously.
Constant interruptions and requests for service.
Work closely with others as part of a team.
Maintain accurate records and files.
Works effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
May require additional hours outside of normal schedule.
May be required to be on-call and respond within certain timeframes.
Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Ability to move about various uneven terrains, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift objects, reach and stretch with hands and arms with full range of motion.
Ability to smell hazardous materials, and contraband (e.g., alcohol on the breath).
Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Must constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.
Must constantly move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Nice To Haves

Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

Responsibilities

Directs, plans, and schedules the daily activities of staff serving clients of individuals and households experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness.
Supervises, coaches, trains, motivates, assigns, and monitors work activities of employees within assigned unit.
Sets work objectives and goals, hires, evaluates performance and administers disciplinary action in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures.
Locates and participates in direct engagement with unhoused individuals who are residing in locations not designed for permanent sleeping by visiting encampments, shelters, and/or other outdoor locations to provide assistance, connect to services, and ascertain needs.
Provides housing-related case management, including assessing client needs, developing individualized service and transition plans, and in securing and maintaining housing stability and other supportive services.
Oversees the work of subordinate staff by providing guidance, consultation, and expertise on case management practices and complex issues.
Provides mediation and advocacy on behalf of clients to develop a workable plan to obtain or maintain housing, including but not limited to working with landlords/property managers and others.
Assists individuals with overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency such as obtaining necessary documentation, rental assistance, personal items storage, etc., during the transition from homelessness or temporary shelter into permanent housing.
Assists in the response plan for unhoused encampments; monitors encampment activities and notifies management and/or community agencies of any health, safety, or urgent issues.
Assists internal and external community agencies with planning, preparation, facilitation, and monitoring, of cleanup activities.
Coordinates and participates in prevention activities by working with various city staff, peer agencies, and/or community groups on addressing issues, concerns, and complaints.
Participates, coordinates, and/or facilities meetings with community groups, peer agencies, and/or city staff to receive feedback/concerns, determine available or needed resources, and obtain a basic understanding of housing activities as it relates to the unhoused.
Builds, fosters, and strengthens relationships with partner agencies to identify opportunities that support housing stability, identify gaps/barriers, and assist with short- and long-term goals.
Maintains a list of resources available in the Charlottesville community that offer services to individuals experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness.
Assists in an ongoing effort to ensure unhoused, or those at risk of being unhoused, receive information on community agencies that support housing assistance and other related services.
Assists with educating the unhoused population on applicable laws and City ordinances and policies.
Maintains case management records in accordance with policies, practices, and guidelines; and completes accurate and timely data entry into applicable departmental systems.
Presents, prepares, and discusses reports/findings to department management, city management, and/or various committees.
Participates in the planning and development of departmental programs, policies and procedures and recommends or initiates revisions as needed.
Provides trauma-supportive and appropriately responsive service.
May guide, escort, and/or transport clients to/from service resources.
Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan.
Must have the ability to be contacted and respond in case of emergency, as needed to provide necessary services to the public.
Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
Regular and reliable attendance.
May assist in applicable grants or funding sources.
Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.