Assistant Director

Job Summary

To support the full mission of The Salvation Army by providing compassionate, professional service to the families residing at the Lodge and the community in a team-focused manner with the entire Lodge staff. Social service and client needs are identified and maintained in a way that complies with policy, procedures and mandate.

Program Administration

• Aid in planning, designing and implementing social service programs to meet resident and community needs, including crisis intervention and preventive services.
• Maintain oversight in managing and monitoring all compliance with HMIS, Coordinated Entry, monthly and quarterly reports to the City of Chicago/State and The Salvation Army.
• Supervise, train and help elevate service staff, ensuring adherence to policies, ethics and professional standards.
• Participate in budgeting, resource allocation, and financial oversight for social service programs.
• Support hiring decisions, evaluate staff performance and make recommendations to the Director as needed.
• Help develop and maintain policies, procedures and compliance with City and State regulations.
• Develop and maintain an internal quality assurance system for the program.
• Collaborate with other Salvation Army programs, agencies.

Respond to Emergencies and Complex Cases

Respond to emergencies and complex cases with timely, ethical and effective intervention and community partners to ensure seamless service delivery.

Community Relations

• Maintain knowledge of community resources, advocate for the homeless population and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Develop Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with community stakeholders.
• Participate in professional, community and government committees and activities as identified.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Education: Master’s Degree in Social Services or Social Work required.
• Experience: An interest in homelessness and with a minimum of 8 years in staff supervision.
• Skills/Abilities: A demonstrated ability to manage staff, projects, priorities and programs in a constantly changing environment. Exceptional leadership, communication and relationship building skills.

Physical Demands, Work Environment

• Light physical work.
• Office environment with occasional visits to the Lodge.
• Low to moderate noise level.
• Confidentiality required.

Competencies

• A commitment to support the mission of the Salvation Army and an appreciation of faith-based service organizations.
• An interpersonal style that is service oriented and supportive of the other departments in the facility.
• A flexible style that also displays a willingness to learn.
• An excellent attention to detail, procedures, processes and policies.
• A demonstrated ability to manage projects to completion, priorities and programs in a constantly changing environment.
• A communication and management style that exhibits the principles and values of the Army as well as fosters team relationships and effectively communicates information.
• A thorough knowledge of homelessness as it relates to families and seniors, and government-funded programs.
• An understanding of residential program operations.
• A knowledge on how to effectively work with diversity in the workplace and provide constructive and supportive supervision and human resources.
• An ability to work with confidential material.
• An ability to manage projects, priorities, and programs in a constantly changing environment.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to the Program Director.
• Supervises the Social Services Manager, Employment Training Coordinator and Drop-In Center workers.
• Acts as a representative of the Army and its mission in contacts related to this position’s duties.

Performance Measures

• Evaluation on achieving outcomes of this position.
• Evaluation on timeliness, accuracy and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

Position Limitations

• Commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• Inform Program Director of all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.