Safe Haven Program Director (Homeless Services)

Vinfen•Haverhill, MA

8d•$60,680 - $60,680•Onsite

About The Position

As a Safe Haven Program Director (PD) you will provide leadership, supervision, and oversight of all clinical, financial, and administrative functions of a Safe Haven program. You will support and engage residents in a welcoming and comfortable setting, designed as a safe, low-demand alternative to the streets or shelters for people with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. The Program Director will ensure adherence to all requirements and regulations as set forth by the Department of Mental Health; staff supervision and training; and that the Safe Haven meets the quality and reporting standards. Together with staff and residents, you will foster a place of mutual respect, support, caring and collaboration where safety, health, and learning are paramount and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
A minimum of three years experience in progressively responsible human services functions, of which two years have been in a supervisory capacity required.
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment.
Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least 6 months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.
Must be able to become CPR and First Aid Certified within two weeks of hire.
Must be able to successfully pass a CORI, reference, multi-state background and driving record check.
Strong commitments to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and supports needed in their community
Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with residents
Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation values and principles
Knowledge and use of engagement, empowerment, and advocacy techniques
Knowledge and use of different communication styles
Knowledge of participatory planning, teamwork, and consensus building techniques
Knowledge of trauma informed, person centered, and culturally competent services
Knowledge of housing subsidies, services, and requirements
Knowledge of staff management and supervision
Knowledge of community resources available to clients, including but not limited to, medical and psychiatric care and substance use services
Knowledge of tenant rights, subsidies, and resources available for housing
Knowledge of safety and risk protocols
Knowledge of employment services and supports
Knowledge of psychiatric and medical medications
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, trauma, and gender issues
Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of required household management skills
A minimum of three years experience in progressively responsible human services functions, of which two years have been in a supervisory capacity required.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks.
A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment.
Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.
Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.
Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.
CPR is required within two weeks of hire
First Aid is required within two weeks of hire
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division New Employee Training courses are required, excluding MAP
Crisis Intervention/Staff Safety and Infectious Diseases are required within six months of hire
Vinfen Manager Training Courses, as required
Other trainings, as assigned

Nice To Haves

In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain a culture of safety and welcome for residents of a Safe Haven transitional housing program. Maintain a low-demand, no/low barrier philosophy and culture within Safe Haven.
Orient new residents to the Safe Haven. Develop and enhance trusting relationships with residents. Skillfully and gently engage residents to learn from them about the barriers they’ve faced to their goals.
Encourage collaboration, mutual support, respect, and social interaction between residents.
Consistently offer, but do not require, residents to accept support and treatment services; including assessment, Individualized Action Planning, referral, service coordination, community linkages, self-help groups, crisis intervention, medication education, assistance and training, substance use services, medical service coordination, planning for permanent housing, and community re-entry skills training.
Provide outreach to and create a family/loved one friendly environment, where established or renewed relationships that are important to residents can be fostered.
Provide or oversee all processes for resident referral, eligibility determination, screening and enrollment, intake, assessment, Individualized Action Planning, discharge planning, and disenrollment.
Maintain or oversee required records for all residents.
Hire culturally competent staff, linguistically matched for current residents. Orient new staff to Vinfen policies, procedures, and protocols including human rights and resident privacy and protected personal information.
Regularly evaluate the performance of staff. Direct and oversee all staff activities. Foster teamwork and encourage flexibility and responsiveness in staff.
Provide supervision, consultation, and training to staff on psychiatric conditions, substance use/addiction, engagement skills, resources available for housing, rehabilitation and recovery principles, trauma-informed practices, strengths-based services, health and wellness, safety and risk reduction practices, skills training, program operations, documentation, employment and other available community services – including medical, psychiatric and substance use services.
Assess residents’ physical and emotional status, seek consultation by Vinfen Clinical, Nursing, and Medical Directors, as needed.
Refer residents to community-based services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, income/benefits, housing, legal help, peer support, education, and job training.
Store, administer, document, dispose, and arrange packaging of medication for clients. Provide support and training to clients to help them manage their medications, as needed.
Adhere to Department of Mental Health Licensing requirements, service utilization and Contract Monitoring specifications. Enter or oversee Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data entry, Safe Haven Outcomes Measures, service utilization information, etc.
Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings.
Help maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence at all times. Ensure continuous staff coverage of Safe Haven.
Adhere to Vinfen’s Safe Haven policies and procedures, safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
Ensure the privacy of residents, as well as information and security of data.
Provide transportation to residents, as necessary.
Access on-call and complete incident documentation, as needed.
Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency. Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
Perform other related duties, as required.

Benefits

A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan
First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more.
Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!)
Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance along with the option to purchase additional, voluntary, Short-Term disability insurance
Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care)
Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
15 days of Vacation per year
11 Paid Holidays
10 Sick Days per year
3 Personal Days per year
Educational Assistance and Remission Programs
$500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
Discounted YMCA memberships
Access to discounted movie tickets