VOCAL-KY Director of Services

Organization Overview: VOCAL-KY is a grassroots membership organization fiscally sponsored by VOCAL-NY, dedicated to building the power of low-income people affected by the drug war, mass incarceration, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness, to create healthy and just communities. We accomplish this through community organizing, advocacy, direct services, and strategic communications. You can learn more about our work through our website, Facebook page, and Twitter account.

VOCAL-KY operates a harm reduction drop-in program for people who are unhoused, people struggling with substance use and/or mental health issues. The program connects people to critical services, provides a space for respite and rest, offers bathrooms, and offers some low-threshold services.

Position Description: The Director of Services is responsible for managing the program overall. That includes supervising staff, overseeing the day-to-day operations, strengthening and building out the program. And working directly with the Executive Director and Development staff to grant reporting.

Reports to: Executive Director

Specific Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Oversee the operations of the program overall; ensuring the program is run safely, quality services and care are provided, and critical issues are addressed
• Supervision and coaching of staff; weekly supervision with current staff, when needed, training staff to provide supervision to others
• Build and maintain strong relationship with key services providers to assist in critical connections for participants
• Work with development staff on grant reporting, achieving deliverables and other development needs.
• Build strong relationships with participants, support group activities, and gather feedback to improve services.
• Monitor supplies, assist with mail distribution, and report facility or safety concerns to the lead.
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions; keep the Executive Director informed of the Drop-in center's needs, concerns, and trends.

Staff Supervision & Team Support

• Supervision and coaching of staff; weekly supervision with current staff, when needed, training staff to provide supervision to others
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and training for new team members and coordinate staff scheduling to ensure consistent coverage.
• Promote staff wellness and team cohesion in a high-intensity, participant-facing environment.

Requirements / Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be an energetic, self-motivated individual who has strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. This is a public-facing role, where every day you are in direct contact with people experiencing chaotic drug use, street homelessness, and mental health challenges. This role requires patience, compassion, and a mindset that every person deserves dignity and respect. People directly impacted by drug use are encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Deep understanding of and commitment to harm reduction and trauma-informed care.
• At least 4 years of experience as a staff member in a direct services setting, ideally working with people who use drugs.
• At least 2 years experience as a direct supervisor, ideally in a program providing housing or services to the unhoused and/or people with a history of drug use.
• willingness to work in a fast-paced environment, with changing assignments.
• An ability to lead their projects and take initiative.
• Ability to de-escalate tense situations and remain calm and grounded.
• Organized, communicative, and proactive in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with common business software (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail).

This is a full-time in-person position, eligible for occasional remote work at the discretion of the supervisor.

VOCAL-KY offers a generous benefits package of 20 vacation days, 15 wellness days, 13 paid holidays and 2-week paid year-end break in December, summer Fridays, 100% employer-covered health, vision, and dental insurance, 401k plan with 5% employer match, health and dependent care FSA, and company cell phone.

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