Sr. Director of Community Programs

JOB TITLE: Sr. Director of Community Programs

REPORTS TO: Chief Programs Officer

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (9:00am-5:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice CA

STATUS: Full-Time 40 hrs/wk Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes if yes please reference driving policy

SALARY RANGE: $100000-$105000 Annually

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011 our agency offers trauma-informed low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach drop-in services health and wellness programming case management education and employment services and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity community collaboration and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills passion and collaborative spirit join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity including (but by no means limited to) racial ethnic gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Sr. Director of Community Programs is responsible for planning managing and overseeing SPYs

empowerment-focused programming including the Community Garden Access and Engagement

Programs Education & Employment Healing Arts and Social Enterprise initiatives. This role ensures the

integration of a youth-centered trauma-informed approach across all services with a strong emphasis

on healing creativity and empowerment throughout the agency.

WHAT YOULL DO:

• Provide trauma- and resilience-informed leadership to SPYs street outreach Access Center and case management teams (including General Access Problem Solving YCES Probation and Prevention).
• Establish and maintain clear program structures policies and procedures to ensure high-quality services and safety for staff and youth.
• Supervise and support program staff using trauma-informed culturally responsive practices including onboarding training coaching and performance feedback.
• Ensure consistent access to meals basic needs housing navigation and enrichment services for youth 7 days a week.
• Oversee the Social Enterprise program ensuring sales goals are met and developing creative strategies for marketing visibility and product expansion.
• Ensure garden and healing arts programming is implemented consistently across the agency.
• Support outreach teams in maximizing engagement with unhoused youth and facilitating connections to SPY services.
• Monitor and track Problem Solving and diversion services including timely and appropriate use of financial assistance funds.
• Participate in the Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) team and support a culture of continuous improvement across all programs.
• Ensure programs operate in compliance with legal ethical and professional best practices.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all contracts funder requirements and internal program objectives.
• Manage program budgets and ensure expenditures align with approved allocations.
• Support grant proposals by contributing to program narratives identifying goals and informing staffing plans.
• Prepare and submit reports on program outcomes for internal monitoring and external funders.
• Lead quality assurance efforts including preparation for program audits and regular review of standards.
• Provide crisis intervention support and debrief staff following critical incidents as needed.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry and documentation in client records including HMIS and internal databases.
• Maintain staff training records including tracking completed trainings and attendance.
• Collaborate with a wide range of partners stakeholders and community members to strengthen program design implementation and evaluation.
• Represent SPY at community events coalitions conferences and training sessions.
• Identify and assess risks related to program operations and implement strategies to mitigate those risks.
• Participate in the after-hours crisis response rotation.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the organization.

WHAT YOULL NEED:

• Bachelors degree in Sociology Psychology or any related field is preferred.
• Masters degree and/or clinical background is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years experience working with unhoused populations
• Minimum of 2 years working with youth preferred
• Minimum 2 years management experience in social service setting
• Expertise in program development and partnership building
• Background in employment services healing arts and community building preferred
• Understanding of best practice approaches including: Housing First Positive Youth Development Authentic Youth Engagement Motivational Interviewing Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed Care
• Working knowledge of policies systems and local programs that impact homeless persons and the related public funding sources regulations requirements and procedures
• Strong computer skills and knowledge including word processing database operations spreadsheets and other software systems.
• Ability to coordinate and/or oversee the successful completion of projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including organizational detail and interpersonal
• Cultural humility and an anti-racist stance
• Must have reliable transportation

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9 2021 the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers paid or unpaid in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption please get in touch with HR at the same email address. Its important to note that these accommodations are limited.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles along with a copy of their valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations including drugs alcohol controlled substances within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving including hit and runs within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents resulting in fatality or serious injury within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individuals employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

driver positions driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employees introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisors responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill job knowledge motivation and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the at-will employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time with or without cause or notice and SPY has the same right. The organization in its sole discretion may change the job duties responsibilities and assignments of any position at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage 403b with agency contribution and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire promote discipline or discharge will be based on merit competence performance and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal state or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive addition the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application