LHSC - Assistant Director of Shelter Operations

Title:  Assistant Director of Shelter Operations

Department: Loudon Homeless Services Center

Reports to:  Director of Loudoun Homeless Services Center

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Salary: $64,000 - 69,000

About Us: 

 Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County.  Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence.  In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children.   

Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.).  In addition to our incredible mission and culture, we offer our employees a work-life balance, 401K (with employer matching), and core benefits (medical/dental/vision) for full-time employees with a generous employer contribution towards premiums. 

About the Role: 

The Assistant Director of Operations (ADO) serves as a critical member of the LHSC leadership team. The ADO supervises all Residential Coordinators (full and part time/on call) providing 24/7 shelter coverage and drop-in basic needs support, in addition to the Program Support Coordinator, as well as oversight of the Hypothermia Program and staff. The ADO has both direct service and administrative responsibilities within the shelter. The ADO will hire, train, and develop all residential and hypothermia program staff and ensure that program policies are adhered to. The Assistant Director of Operations will also collaborate with other program staff to ensure participant services are delivered following program goals and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations in particular ensuring residential staff are trained and certified to prepare and serve food in the kitchen. The Assistant Director of Operations will oversee bill payment, vehicle fleet, and vendor contact in regard to the building, basic needs items, kitchen, and vehicles. The ADO will provide essential, front desk coverage as needed when other coverage is not able to be located. 

How you will contribute: 

 The ADO is responsible for the hiring, training, development, scheduling, and direct supervision of all residential and hypothermia program staff. As such, the RS will: 

• Ensure that Hypothermia program staff are hired and trained prior to the Hypothermia Shelter’s opening and that the program is coordinated, staffed, advertised, and supported by volunteers as well as run safely and in accordance with contract guidelines. 

• Provide guidance and direction to residential and hypothermia program staff as needed and during regularly scheduled one on one meetings 

• Review documentation completed by residential and hypothermia program staff to ensure it is in accordance with agency best practices 

• Prepare and distribute monthly residential and hypothermia program staff schedule; review and approve residential and hypothermia program staff timesheets and leave requests 

• Coordinate essential personnel in the event of safety/weather emergencies 

• Maintain a flexibles schedule in response to the needs of the shelter, and serve in an on-call capacity to help staff address crisis issues 

• Participate in and facilitate staff meetings and staff trainings as directed by supervisor 

Through oversite of the kitchen: 

• Work closely with the Community Coordinator to ensure meals are provided or prepared and served for all meals – including on weekends, holidays, and on inclement weather days. And to ensure this service is provided according to federal and state nutritional guidelines by coordinating regular menu planning 

• In partnership with the Community Coordinator, ensure adequate stocking of essential food items such as milk, water, soup, and other kitchen basics 

• Maintain inventory of supplies needed for kitchen operation within an established budget. 

• Maintain current knowledge of emergency safety procedures and guidelines for kitchen and shelter as well as maintain a Servsafe Certification and ensure the kitchen is clean, sanitary, and maintained with these standards 

Serve as the lead on all LHSC operations with the support of the Program Support Coordinator 

• Ensure agency vehicles are maintained and meet state license and registration requirements. 

• Coordinate and track unit inspections  

• Serve as point of contact for building maintenance issues; Ensures all maintenance requests are tracked and monitored by Program Support Coordinator. 

• During maintenance emergencies coordinate with the Assistant Director to move the household to a different room until repairs are made.  

• Maintain current knowledge of Shelter House and LHSC emergency procedures  

• Ensure the facility's compliance with all health, safety, and agency regulations and policies 

• Ensure the facility is routinely cleaned and equipment functions properly for necessary operations 

• Schedules, monitors, and tracks cleaning of all sites including common areas, office space, and participant spaces.  

• Maintain current knowledge of emergency procedures and coordinating monthly fire drills 

• Schedules cleaning upon participant move outs and ensures proper turn over.  

• Track all inventory and order supplies as needed in accordance with and in consideration of the program budget 

• Process invoices and prepare check requests for facility related expenses. 

• Collaborate with the Data Quality Specialist to ensure data entry for the Hypothermia program is completed accurately and in a timely fashion and data needed for program reports is provided. 

Provide direct services to program participants during regularly scheduled shift(s) 

• Ensure basic needs items and services are provided with dignity and respect to program participants. 

• Assist participant and direct service staff with calls and completing safety plans / needs assessments  

• Act as advocate on behalf of population served and / or individual participants when necessary 

• Collaborate with the management and case management team to ensure services are consistent across shifts 

• Work closely with Assistant Director of Programs to support direct service staff and maintain ongoing communication 

• Collaborate with Assistant Director and Regional Director to address participant disputes and complaints related to their stay in shelter.  

• Safely utilize Shelter House owned vehicles to drive participants to various locations. 

• Notify the Management Team of any critical incidents and complete a Critical Incident Report before the end of shift for management review and submission 
• Collaborate with Community Coordinator to obtain donations and volunteer support for the shelter, drop in, hypothermia program, and kitchen 
• Proficiently operate a personal computer, fax, printer, copier, and Microsoft Office products (email, calendar, drive, etc) 
• Exemplify the Shelter House core values of (iCARE); Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empowerment 
• Perform other duties deemed necessary to support the program and agency 

Requirements

About You: 

Required: 

• A bachelor's degree in human services and/or operation business management or equivalent degree and/or commensurate experience 

• 3+ years of program and/or staff management  

• Strong public speaking and communication skills  

• Strong written communication skills 

• Ability to be flexible, prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgments 

• Valid Driver’s License 

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends 

• Ability to proficiently operate a personal computer, fax, printer, copier, and Microsoft Office products (email, calendar, drive, etc). 

Preferred: 

• Experience leading/ supporting programs serving homeless families  
• Experience leading/managing in a residential environment  
• Ability to speak a second language at a proficient level 

Physical Requirements: 

• Annual TB Test is require
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods 
• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds 

ADA Statement: Shelter House will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities

Act of 1990. Any person in need of an accommodation should contact Human Resources directly for assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

**We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.**