POSITION: Director of Programs

CLASSIFICATION: Full time – 40 hours, exempt

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SALARY: $90,000- $100,000 DOE

WORK SCHEDULE: Full time Tuesday-Saturday. Schedule depends on ASOH needs and may include weekends and evenings.

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION

A Sense of Home strives to prevent homelessness by creating first-ever homes and a community for youth aging out of foster care with donated furniture and home goods. 50% of those struggling with homelessness are former foster youth. The homeless crisis can only end through prevention.

POSITION PURPOSE

ASOH is in a phase of growth with plans to expand both regionally and nationally. The Program Director (PD) will be instrumental in heralding in this growth with respect to advancing current programs in Los Angeles. The PD oversees the roles and responsibilities of the Intake Coordinator, Community Resource Navigator, Home Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator to ensure that the complete lifecycle of the entire ASOH process from application to Home Creation, to resources, community building, to alumni relations, are all functioning optimally and in fulfillment of organizational mission and targets.

DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION

ASOH is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with protected class backgrounds to apply. We value the individuals that we hire and look forward to creating a positive work environment for all identities.

OUR COMMITMENT

We are committed to not only provide a diverse and inclusive workplace, but we value the health and wellbeing of our team members. ASOH offers 100% paid health and medical benefits to employees, along with generous paid sick and sick vacation time. We also believe in providing a workplace that fosters advancement and professional development for all employees, conducting our day to day business practices accordingly.

HISTORY AND CONTEXT

ASOH began as a random act of kindness, when the founders, Georgie Smith and Melissa Goddard, saw an injustice and acted upon it. They noticed that young people exiting foster care had overcome the odds against them, achieved securing a roof over their heads, only to be forced to sleep on cold bare floors,

and struggle without fridges, stoves, lighting, a table to eat from nor study off of. The lack of means to make a space a home, is a significant inequity that has proven to hold back those working and studying hard to overcome the challenges of the world and create a better future for themselves.

A UNIQUE SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING AND HEALING FOR ALL

We are committed to action for impact and won’t stop learning, listening, growing and serving. We are committed to evolving our work and model to ensuring we always:

  • Evolve how we achieve our goals and deepen the impact

  • Listen to those we serve

  • Partner with organizations that uplift marginalized communities

  • Find and implement new tools in our programs that overcome unique barriers to healing

  • Amplify more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) voices

  • Ensure a safe, inclusive, diverse workplace for employees, volunteers, donors, and those we serve

  • Integrate social justice and public health scholars in the development of our organization

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The PD maintains a deep level of understanding and familiarity, both conceptually and practically, of the ASOH Program Policies and with the duties and responsibilities of all supporting staff positions to not only monitor performance effectively and to coach/support as needed, but to also ensure tasks are handled promptly by other staff or directly in case of absence. The PD serves as the first point of guidance and coaching to all department team members in ensuring program policies are adhered to at all times, procedures are followed, and timelines are honored; while case management notes are entered and documentation is completed promptly. More specifically, the PD will oversee the following programmatic elements:

Recipient (Client) Intake and Referrals–Oversight and design of applicant pipeline, the status in process of those pending home creations and securing of vouchers, referrals to units, referrals and collaborations between other service providers and agencies in the sector. The PD takes necessary measures to ensure our pipeline is always at healthy levels, applicants are tended to promptly and the process is equitable and efficient.

Home Creations – The PD is ultimately responsible for all Home Creations (HC), but draws on the team members’ responsibilities, skills and capabilities to ensure that each HC is a transformative experience for recipients and volunteers alike. The PD is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the HC are safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed. They are also responsible for the scheduling and staff roles at each HC, including informing the ED and CEO of requested attendance when necessary, evaluation/ de-brief of HC’s and updating any new policies and procedures to the HCs as needed. The PD also works closely with the Development team on the engagement of sponsors and volunteers to ensure a successful experience for all involved.

Alumni Resources & Community –  While the initial engagement with a Recipient is through Home Creations, the community and connection to resources that ASOH offers to Alumni is essential to long term success. The PD is responsible for the creation of and implementation of resource programming and community building opportunities. This includes but is not limited to building and/or expanding resource navigation, life skills workshops, scholarship program, peer mentorship, and housing. Beyond program design and implementation, the PD listens to the needs of those we serve and ensures that all programming is incorporating DEIA and trauma informed practices.

Events- The PD is responsible for overseeing and executing program related events including but not limited to resource fairs, holiday gift event, summer celebration, and any alumni involvement in the Annual Gala.

Data & Evaluation- The PD is responsible for the collection of data, tracking outcomes, and evaluating program success and impact. The PD is also responsible for providing data and information for grant applications and reporting, and ensuring that required outcomes are met/ exceeded.

Professional Development/ Training- The PD is responsible for implementing a robust training program for all staff that ensures all team members, and in some cases volunteers, are properly trained on safety and DEIA practices. This includes scheduling trainings, tracking completion, and research on any additional training or individual professional development needed.

Development and Communications- As the guardian and gatekeeper of our program’s lifecycle, the PD, while drawing on the knowledge, experience, and insight of the leadership team, serves as the conduit between supporting staff team members and the Development department. This includes engagement with and solicitation of donors and volunteers for partnership with home creations, events or alumni programming. This also includes speaking on behalf of the organization in the community, giving tours to donors or VIPs, and communications with foundations, corporations, etc. The PD will also work closely to ensure the volunteer aspect of each program is effective and engaging.

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, modified or changed at any time at the chapter’s discretion. Changes may be made formally, informally either verbally or in writing.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

  • Background and education in social work or psychology. A Master’s Degree or Clinical Degree  is ideal.
  • Relevant experience (including field practicum in the area of TAY youth and/ or youth in foster care) required in the government or non-profit sector.
  • Relevant experience includes human services management, community organization, practice with individual clients and client systems in the field, research, teaching and advocacy work with former foster youth and/ or youth in foster care.
  • Must have valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and sufficient auto insurance to comply with state laws. Will be expected to drive as a part of the job.
  • Experience working with diverse populations.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Working with mobile devices, computers, cameras, scanners, and other related equipment

  • Setting up and using various data management software

  • Communicating with persons outside the organization, supervisors, peers and supporting staff

  • Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work

  • Thinking creatively and innovatively

  • Developing promotional strategies or plans

  • Updating and using relevant knowledge

  • Making decisions and solving problems

  • Scheduling work and activities

  • Developing objectives and strategies

  • Guiding, directing, and motivating supporting staff

  • Coordinating logistics for all events

  • Coordinating fundraising or activities

  • Processing information and verifying accuracy of data.

  • Analyzing information

  • Coordinating the work and activities of others

  • Resolving conflicts and negotiating with others

  • Working directly with the public

  • Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships

  • Coaching and developing others

  • Judging the qualities of things, services, or people

  • Developing and building teams

  • Performing administrative activities

  • Staffing organizational units

  • Training and teaching others

  • Documenting/recording information and maintaining logs

  • Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards/policies

  • Provide consultation and advice to others

  • Monitoring and controlling resources

  • Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products

  • Estimating the quantifiable characteristics of products, events, or information

 

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT

  • Analytical Skills - Ability to process and analyze vague, abstract verbal and written instructions. Ability to visualize and assess abstract ideas and develop structured plans for implementation of marketing plans. Ability to read, analyze complex documents, and communicate analysis in oral and written form.

  • Reasoning Ability - Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

  • Communications and Media - Knowledge of social media tools and best practices as well as alternative ways to inform and engage via written, oral, and visual media. Requires public speaking, phone conversations, use of email, writing letters and memos, face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams and contact with others

  • English Language - Strong knowledge in reading, writing and speaking of the English language including excellent knowledge of spelling, rules of composition, and grammar. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the Company.

  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing superior customer and personal services. This includes recipient, donor, corporate partner, and staff needs’ assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of satisfaction.

  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.

  • Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, evaluating, correcting, negotiating, managing, motivating and leading.

  • Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

  • Computers and Electronics - Strong working knowledge of Google Apps, email, social media networks, computers, smartphones, equipment, graphics software and CRM system.

  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology.

  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and customer relationship management.

  • Law and Government - Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Body positioning - requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls and prolonged periods of standing and/or sitting

  • Competition - requires competition or awareness of competitive pressures

  • Conflict - requires dealing with potentially unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people; including conflict situations

  • Impact of decisions - requires making decisions that impact the results of co-workers, vendors, sponsors, donors, volunteers or the company
  • Opportunity to make decisions without supervision - Requires making decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization
  • Level of challenge - requires being exact or highly accurate. Also requires repeating the same physical activities or mental activities over and over - often with freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals
  • Pace and scheduling - requires meeting strict deadlines and adhering to tight timelines
  • Personal Interaction - requires work with external individuals, organizations, businesses or the public. Also, requires coordinating or leading others in accomplishing work activities and work with others in a group or team
  • Responsibility for Others - Includes responsibility for work outcomes and results as well as safety of others
  • Work Setting - Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions as well as outdoors in hot, cold, wet, humid and/or dry conditions. Work is often performed in recipients’ homes. Also, requires ability to climb stairs or hills at times while lifting. Work is often performed in warehouse settings with tight spaces for travel/access. Requires ability to lift, reach, hold and move heavy items; at times onto and from shelving units.
  • Lifting and moving - Requires ability to lift, move, transport, and stage furniture and other home goods sometimes in excess of 25 pounds.

 

WORK SETTING

  • Requires working in office space as well as warehouse space in cold or hot conditions as well as outdoors in hot, cold, wet, humid and/or dry conditions. Work is often performed in recipients’ homes. Also, requires ability to climb stairs or hills at times while lifting. Work is often performed in warehouse settings with tight spaces for travel/access. Requires ability to lift, reach, hold and move heavy items, at times onto and from shelving units.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Your employment relationship is and is intended to be at will. This job description contains the entire agreement between you and A Sense of Home as to the duration of your employment and the circumstances under which your employment may be terminated. Nothing contained in this or any other materials generated by A Sense of Home or its employees, or any statement made by any employee of the organization, shall require the company to have “just” or “good cause” to terminate the employment relationship or to change the terms and conditions of your employment. Notwithstanding any disciplinary procedures or A Sense of Home rules or regulations, either you or A Sense of Home may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or prior notice. A Sense of Home can demote, transfer, suspend or otherwise discipline an employee in its sole and absolute discretion. Nothing in this job description, or any other personnel documents creates or is intended to create a promise or representation of continued or indefinite employment or employment for a specific term, in a specific position, or at a specific rate of pay, or to prohibit A Sense of Home from terminating you for any reason even if previously agreed that such a reason would not result in termination.

I also understand that A Sense of Home has the right to change the compensation, assignments, duties, responsibilities or geographical location of my job at any time, with or without cause.

This job is currently not open for applications. Would you like to see our other open positions?