Position: Program Director
Direct Supervisor: Executive Director
Pay Rate: Competitive Annual Salary
Hours: Full Time – Salaried
PSKS Program Director Position Job Description
Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Program Director will provide leadership and quality assurance for the case management team and for our emergency shelter.
About PSKS
Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS) creates a more just society by providing homeless youth and young adults access to housing, food, health care, education and employment, by soliciting, valuing and incorporating youth ideas and feedback at all levels of our organization, and by amplifying their voices to bring about policy and systems change.
PSKS’ CORE governing body is one of the uniquely effective ways we elevate youth voice and ensure that programs and services are meeting participant needs. CORE is a group of engaged participants who share ideas and feedback to improve services and are consulted in policy and program creation and evaluation.
The mission of PSKS is to support homeless and at-risk youth and young adults to become empowered to lead positive and self-sufficient lives. Many youth who come to PSKS have aged out of young adult services, or been turned away due to a mental health condition, substance use, behavioral issues, or because they have companion animals. LGBTQ youth also sometimes leave other services because they do not feel safe. At PSKS they find a welcoming environment where they are encouraged to take ownership of the space and become a part of the community. We call our youth and young adults “participants” because they are active, engaged members of our organization.
PSKS offers short and long-term opportunities for youth in their path forward. Our frontline services are designed to get youth off the streets and meet their immediate needs. We do this through the Homeless Youth for Peace and Empowerment (HYPE) drop-in center, which offers food, clothing, showers, haircuts, laundry, visiting nurses, and other necessities during the day, and through a 20-bed nightly shelter to keep participants off the street. Our case managers also help participants apply for housing, obtain mental health and chemical dependency referrals, and access other needed resources.
For the long-term, PSKS prioritizes growth opportunities such as involvement in advocacy, participation in our CORE governing body, education, employment support, life skills classes and meditation. The aim is to build a participant’s knowledge, skills and abilities, and enable them to become self-sufficient and reach their full potential. Our Re-Inventing Steps to Education (RISE) program provides support to complete high school, earn a GED, prepare for secondary education, attend employment readiness workshops, and experience vocational service learning. Through Lasting Employment Advancement Program (LEAP) youth are given employment assistance and the opportunity for paid, resume building internships at PSKS. Through participation in CORE, PSKS’ participant led governing body, and through advocacy in the community, youth learn to express their ideas and opinions, work together to create policies and programs that support their needs, and advocate at the city and state level about homeless issues.
Responsibilities
- Provide supervision, leadership and quality assurance for the case management and shelter operations, working closely with and collaboratively with the executive director and other program managers.
- Ensure that PSKS provides high quality case management services to participants.
- Train and support staff in evidence based practices that guide our work including, low barrier access, housing first, harm reduction, trauma informed care, cultural humility, motivational interviewing, and relationship based care.
- Collaborate with services of other providers in the community, ensuring high quality of services and coordination, not duplication of services.
- Prioritize effectively and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
- Create and maintain master calendars for shelter and case management.
- Work with executive director and other staff to assure that PSKS is in compliance with all grants and contracts.
- Demonstrate ability to problem solve, exercise ethical independent judgment within program guidelines, and respond to crisis situations in a trauma-informed manner.
- Must value and respect young people, and demonstrate the ability to treat all people with dignity and respect.
- Schedule and facilitate monthly shelter staff meetings in the evening.
- Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
- Lead regular case management case consultation meetings.
- Responsible for Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) compliance for shelter and case management programs.
- Create weekly supply order for shelter.
- Manage overall shelter and case management hiring, evaluation, and labor relations.
- Manage and assign case management caseload lists.
Qualifications
- Licensed MSW credential required with 5 years general experience. At least one-year supervision of MSW interns preferred.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficient and experienced with Microsoft Office applications, as well as Google docs.
- Familiarity with Seattle/King County network of housing and human services providers.
- Direct experience serving individuals coping with homelessness, especially youth and young adults.
- Direct experience or demonstrated cultural competency working with communities of color and LGBTQ community.
- Experience advocating for individuals living with significant medical, mental health, and substance abuse challenges.
- Up-to-date on major policy, issues and initiatives related to ending homelessness.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain successful relationships with community agencies and resources.
- Familiarity with a variety of entitlement programs and qualifications.
- Supervisory abilities that promote effective staff performance and time management.
- Must pass a background check.
Peace for the Streets by the Kids from the Streets is an equal opportunity employer, Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, creed. physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation or any other factor protected by law. People of color and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please submit cover letter, resume and desired salary to krista@psks.org.
