Homeless Youth Program Director

SOUTH MIDDLESEX OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL • Framingham, MA

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for the management and coordination of a regional Homeless Youth Services Program. Ensure the program operates in accordance with contractual requirements, with a focus on multi-agency collaboration to ensure maximized service delivery while avoiding duplication of services. Ensure effective and coordinated triage, assessment, prevention, diversion, and re-housing for young adults who are experiencing a housing crisis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of two years providing services to low-income and/or culturally diverse consumers.
• Strong knowledge of landlord/tenant and homebuyer issues preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English; bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, database applications, PowerPoint presentations, Internet search, and email.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills required.
• Valid Driver’s license, reliable vehicle and evidence of insurability.
• Flexibility in schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge of landlord/tenant and homebuyer issues preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English; bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess and catalogue all existing services available to the target population.
• Develop systems and strategies to coordinate communication, access services, and share resources among all providers.
• Develop systems for coordinated intake and assessment to ensure comprehensive service needs are determined and addressed for unaccompanied youth.
• Reach out to community partners to ensure a “no wrong door” approach is successfully implemented and maintained with regard to Homeless and At-Risk Youth.
• Provide all members with process for Coordinated Assessment. Ensure utilization of standard process by providing education and training as necessary.
• Work with all providers to ensure that younger clients and those with more acute service needs are prioritized accordingly for placement and available resources.
• Actively connect youth to appropriate programs, including Wayside's Tempo program, SMOC's youth-focused employment specialist, FSU, etc.
• Manage the subcontract relationship with Wayside Tempo including monitoring of data collection, client assistance usage, etc. and communicate with Tempo staff weekly.
• Develop and strengthen collaborative relationships with local agencies, colleges and schools.
• Perform robust community outreach across the region. Work with staff at SMOC and Wayside Tempo to develop relationships with providers in underserved regions, municipal courts, etc.
• Identify and address transportation barriers. Coordinate transportation planning and resources to ensure homeless youth can access services.
• Authorize and track spending of ‘flexible funds’ for both prevention and RRH (Rapid Rehousing) of unaccompanied youth (ages 16 to 24) in the Metro West Region.
• Provide or coordinate educational workshops regarding topics such as financial literacy and housing search to youth, especially those residing in underserved communities.
• Facilitate and coordinate communication among community partners through conference calls, emails, etc.
• Coordinate the development of “upstream” strategies among collaborative partners including Public Schools Housing Authorities, legal services, and TPP providers.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of external communications including press releases, social media, and website updates.
• Maintain the records for the Homeless Youth Services Program including all outcome measures, data requirements, and financial record keeping.
• Ensure systems are in place to track and monitor all required program elements.
• Recruit and orient new members within the region to ensure broad stakeholder participation.
• Participate as a member of the Common Ground Resource Center (CGRC) and the Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) team; attend staff meeting and required meetings.
• Attend meetings or trainings as required by EOHHS or other funders.
• Assist in the coordination and leverage of additional funds.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
• Attend & participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
• 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
• Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

What This Job Offers

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