Job Title: Adult Shelter Manager
Classification: Exempt (Salary)
Status: Full-Time
Location: Davis Square, Somerville, MA
Department: Adult Shelter
Reports to: Director of Homeless Services
About Us
Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) is a human services agency helping families and individuals in all stages of homelessness and housing insecurity. Services include emergency shelter, housing search case management, daytime drop-in, street outreach, supportive housing, homeless/eviction prevention and connections to supplemental services. SHC also operates Project SOUP, which is a food service program that includes a pantry marketplace, community meals and delivery of groceries to the homebound. The agency environment is fast-paced with the provision of a variety of on-demand services, from crisis intervention to long-term stabilization support. To learn more please visit our .
Position Summary
The Adult Shelter Manager is responsible for managing the entire operation and day-to-day activities of a 26 bed, low-barrier, emergency homeless shelter for unaccompanied adults that is operational every day of the year from 4pm-8am. This includes, but is not limited to, oversight of the physical facility and external grounds; supervision of assistant managers, direct care frontline staff and case manager; scheduling and ensuring shift coverage compliance at all times; and, making sure that all guest needs and issues are identified and effectively addressed in a timely and professional manner. The position ensures that all program components achieve and maintain compliance with professional/work, health, fire, safety, security, certification, legal, confidentiality and sanitary standards at all times. The Manager also serves as a key liaison to the surrounding community, fostering positive relationships and promoting effective community engagement on behalf of the shelter.
Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities
Operations Management
- Effectively oversee and be responsible for entire day-to-day operations and activities of the Adult Shelter facility and program components
- Develop, foster, lead, and maintain a positive and welcoming environment for guests, staff, volunteers, faith-based partners, service providers, neighbors, and the broader community, while responding to concerns and needs with professionalism and a strong sense of urgency.
- Consistently ensure compliance and enforcement of government, agency, shelter and certifying entities’ policies, procedures and requirements
- Ensure scheduling coverage for all operational shifts (365 days-a-year; 4pm-8am) meeting compliance requirements, including holidays, and immediately ensure coverage for imminent issues such as staff call-outs for illness and weather-this includes coordinating with temporary staff agencies and security companies, when needed
- Be “on-call”, per on-call schedule, and respond to and follow-through with resolution of all urgent/emergency situations in a timely manner
- Organize and facilitate regular shelter guest community house meetings
- Ensure clear, detailed, organized, timely and objective record keeping of shelter operations
- Manage and ensure data quality of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database, including deadlines for intakes, annual assessments, case notes and exit assessments
- Attend external service provider meetings, as needed, some of which are traditional business hours
- Answer phones/texts, take messages, answer door, file and perform all other clerical and administrative tasks, as needed
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Supervise and manage shelter front-line direct care staff, assistant managers and housing search case managers - up to 7+ Full-Time Equivalent (FTEs) team members
- Conduct weekly staff meetings and 1:1 supervision meetings with direct reports
- Coordinate hiring, training, supervising, supporting, onboarding and evaluation of direct reports, with support of Human Resources
- Ensure accurate recording of staff time sheets and other personnel related paperwork
- Organize, in conjunction with HR, professional development training for staff including training on de-escalation, collaborative problem solving, etc.
Guest Support
- Exercise sound judgment and the ability to make difficult decisions in addressing behavioral concerns, including discharging guests when necessary, in accordance with agency policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of the program as a whole.
- Provide conflict management and de-escalation for shelter guests and other issues
- Work in tandem with shelter staff to support the success of the clients within the shelter, including the creation and implementation of behavioral plans
- Provide reflective listening, empathy, encouragement and solutions focused interactions
- Manage all aspects of the guest referral and intake process to ensure all shelter beds are filled
- Assess guest needs and strengths and implement appropriate interventions and accommodations
Facility Management
- Initiate, coordinate and be available during daytime hours for activities, such as: vendor deliveries; pest control; health/safety inspections; facility maintenance and repair work, etc.
- Monitor inventory, including supporting the shelter with food inventory needs and ordering supplies for the program
- Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation requirements related to the preparation, handling, storage, and distribution of food within the shelter.
- Address all maintenance/general upkeep issues to ensure all health, safety and sanitary standards are maintained within the shelter and on the outside grounds of the building (e.g. trash management and other debris)
- Regularly monitor and immediately address any fire, health or safety system related issues (e.g. exit sign lights, fire extinguisher certification, fire suppression, etc.)
- Ensure all regulatory certifications are updated, posted and in compliance (e.g. CPR/First Aid, ServSafe, Board of Health, Inspectional Services, Fire Department Inspections, etc.)
Education, Abilities, Competencies and Experience Required
- Relevant Master’s Degree strongly preferred
- LCSW/LICSW/LMHC strongly preferred with requirement to maintaining licensure in good standing; candidates with 10+ years of relevant supervisory experience may also be considered
- Knowledge and understanding of the complex issues affecting individuals experiencing homelessness and related service systems
- Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience required; 5 years preferred, including providing regular supervision meetings with direct reports
- Positive attitude, professionalism (including healthy boundary maintenance), and flexibility
- Ability to work independently, critically think, respond quickly to emerging needs, manage multiple tasks, assess complex situations, respond calmly in crisis situations, and maintain a solution-focused approach
- Excellent decision-making skills, sound judgment, and the ability to take initiative and consistently follow through with tasks to completion
- Ability to foster and participate in a collaborative team environment with agency programs and external partners
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has supervisory responsibilities, including supervising up to 7+ FTEs
Work Environment
This job operates primarily in a residential environment, including office and professional environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers. On occasion the job will require going out in events or organizations, based on the needs of the business.
Physical Demands
This position would require the ability to sit at a desk, frequent walking, bend or stand as necessary. The employee must be able to adequately scale a steep set of stairs, sit, stand, squat, stoop, twist and ability to lift/carry 50 lbs.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
Designated days and schedule will be primarily Evenings, Monday - Friday. The operational hours for this position for the shelter is generally 4pm-Midnight. However, the schedule for this position will vary and include some traditional business hours (9am-5pm), in addition to overnight hours, when necessary. A consistent schedule will be cultivated with the manager at a later date. Schedules are based on the needs of the operation and business and may require weekends, evenings, overnights and early mornings on occasion.
Travel
Position requires minimal travel; based on the needs of the operations and business.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing 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.
SHC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. SHC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you hold your LCSW/LICSW/LMHC?
- How many years of supervisory experience do you have?
Work Location: In person
