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.
• 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 and agencies to coordinate services.
• 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 and advocate for the homeless population.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and develop Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
• 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 at least 8 years in staff supervision.
• Skills/Abilities: 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 equipment and PC usage.
• Residential environment with a low to moderate noise level.
• Ability to work with clients that have poor social skills, suffer from mental illness, and have substance abuse problems.

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 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 and fosters team relationships and effectively communicates information.
• A thorough knowledge of homelessness as it relates to families and seniors, and government-funded programs.
• A basic 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

• This position reports to the Program Director.
• This position supervises the Social Services Manager, Employment Training Coordinator, and Drop-In Center workers.
• In contacts related to this position's duties, this individual acts as a representative of the Army and its mission.

Performance Measures

• This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved as well as the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

Position Limitations

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Program Director informed on all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
• This individual will 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.