Community Programs Director

Job Description:

This position is responsible for the management and daily operations of the agency’s Community Programs (Upkeep & Repair, Shopping Bus, and Moving Assistance) to ensure high quality services to the seniors H.O.M.E. serves. This position also plans and implements ways to meet the high demand for these services through increased internal capacity and community partnerships. Collaborates with other staff leaders and the Board of Directors to identify and address agency needs. H.O.M.E. offers the individual in this position workplace flexibility in balancing remote and in-office work.

The ideal candidate is a go-getter, warm and trustworthy, highly organized, experienced in delivering direct services in Chicago communities, skilled in the use of technology to make on-site work safe, easy, and transparent for employees and seniors alike, is highly relational, and visionary. The ideal candidate is fundamentally committed to a Chicago in which older people and people of color are respected and integral to the social, economic, and political fabric. It is universally recognized that cared-for homes are the building blocks for healthy people as well as communities. Serving over 600 predominantly older people annually in a supportive environment that recognizes their gifts as well as their needs is H.O.M.E.’s particular expertise.

H.O.M.E. Overview:

Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) is a one-of-a-kind Chicago organization that seeks to foster joy, connection and independence for Chicago’s low-income seniors. H.O.M.E. is a bright spot for all who know it. Founded in 1982, H.O.M.E. has helped thousands of low-income seniors in Chicago maintain their independence by providing a home upkeep and repair service, shopping bus, moving program, policy advocacy, and three affordable apartment buildings where seniors can live comfortably in an intergenerational environment. H.O.M.E. is characterized by a warm and caring culture.

Responsibilities:

1. Community Programs Strategy, Management, and Evaluation
   1. Serves on H.O.M.E.’s leadership team; assists in achieving Strategic Plan goals.
   2. Sets program strategy and impact goals, with staff and Board leadership.
   3. Identifies best practices for expanding the number of seniors served, with attention to H.O.M.E.’s values of racial equity, transparency, and excellent, timely service.
   4. Reports and evaluates program data, outcome statistics, and impact.
   5. Oversees the client satisfaction survey process, ensuring a high response rate.
   6. Assists with drafting and monitoring of Community Programs budget with key staff.
   7. Collaborates with Development to ensure grant proposals and donor communications reflect program operations and impact.
   8. Collaborates with Director of Advocacy and Neighborhood Engagement as needed to support the Fix Our Homes Illinois and related campaigns.

1. Data Collection
   1. Oversees development and continually improves a centralized intake and case database.
   2. Ensures the collection of qualitative as well as quantitative data (i.e., first-person stories from seniors about the impact of H.O.M.E.’s work on their lives) for reports to the Board of Directors, funders, legislators, and the media, honoring dignity and privacy wishes at all times.

1. Upkeep and Repair Program
   1. Recruits and supervises Home Repair Specialists, Assistants, and, as necessary, contractors.
   2. Handles initial service requests and assigns work orders to Specialists based on a standard, transparent set of criteria for determining priority, in conjunction with the Accounting & Community Programs Assistant.
   3. Assists with referral of callers to appropriate agencies or governmental bodies.
   4. Keeps current on referral resources for home repair.
   5. Tracks service requests and outcomes in the database.
   6. Monitors expenditures through Jobber and Ramp, with the CFO.
   7. Arranges and approves routine maintenance and emergency repairs for Upkeep and Repair vans. Manages renewals of city and state vehicle registrations.
   8. Manages client follow up and concerns.

1. Shopping Bus
   1. Supervises Transportation Coordinator.
   2. Manages relationships with building management of service buildings.
   3. Strives for high senior usage of the 14-passenger accessible bus.
   4. Arranges and approves routine maintenance and emergency repairs for bus.
   5. Manages renewals of city and state vehicle registrations.
   6. Tracks all service provided and facilitates billing with CFO.
   7. Markets Shopping Bus to senior buildings and management.
   8. Establishes and manages routes and schedule, with the Transportation Coordinator.

1. Moving Program
   1. Supervises part-time Moving Coordinator.
   2. Recruits and manages relationships with private moving companies.
   3. Handles initial service requests and assignment to Moving Coordinator based on a standard, transparent set of criteria for determining priority, in conjunction with the Accounting & Community Programs Assistant.
   4. Ensures timely and thorough home assessments and service coordination for clients receiving moving services from H.O.M.E.’s commercial moving partners.
   5. Tracks service requests and outcomes in the database.
   6. Monitors expenditures through Jobber and Ramp.
   7. Manages client follow up and concerns.

1. Community Volunteers and Active Partnerships
   1. Oversees seasonal Weatherization Program (staffed by volunteer groups).
   2. Helps strategize for future Volunteer Program expansion.
   3. Collaborates with the Community Advisory Council to conduct annual or bi-annual community needs assessments.
   4. Explores opportunities to partner with community groups to implement place-based programs, such as a possible neighborhood-based home repair pilot.

Requirements:

Skills

1. Enthusiasm for working with older adults in a compassionate, service-driven manner.
2. Exceptional interpersonal skills; easily builds new relationships; able to effectively communicate the work of H.O.M.E. to a variety of professional audiences..
   1. Effective management and team building skills; able to build rapport, align staff to shared goals, and create accountability.
3. Ability to see the big picture along with a willingness to pitch in and do what needs to be done, including small administrative tasks.
4. Excellent written and verbal skills and interpersonal skills. Able to interact effectively with a broad range of people.
5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with experience with expense tracking and service apps preferred.
6. Ability to prioritize.
7. Experience working with a Board and other volunteers to achieve agency objectives.
8. Valid IL driver’s license required.
9. Holds and is able to live out H.O.M.E. values; values are consistent and congruent across professional and personal life.
10. Passion for the mission and vision of H.O.M.E.

Experience/Education:

1. Bachelor’s degree.
2. At least 5 years of successful direct service program management experience, including managing people and budgets.
3. Knowledge of basic home repair preferred.
4. Experience in volunteer coordination preferred.
5. Experience in social service field preferred.
6. Reliable car and valid driver’s license.
7. Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.

Work Environment:

1. 1. Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use.
   2. Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment.
   3. Intermittent travel to off-site locations may be required.
   4. Occasional night and weekend work may be asked of H.O.M.E. staff.
   5. H.O.M.E. is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at H.O.M.E. are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, citizenship status, military service, marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability (including HIV/AIDS), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Health, dental, life insurance, short-term disability, 403(b)