Director of Katherine Hanley Family Shelter

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Director of Programs

Level: Director 

Department: Fairfax Homeless Services 

Reports to: Senior Director of Homeless Services - Fairfax 

Salary Range: $75K-$85K 
Location: Katherine Hanley Emergency Shelter 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Location: Fairfax, VA 

 

About Us: 

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County. Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 200 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence. In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children. Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.)

About the Role

The Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter, an emergency shelter serving households with minor children. The program serves up to 24 households at the shelter, in addition to families temporarily placed in hotels.As a member of Shelter House’s Leadership Team, the Director develops and implements strategies to achieve program and organizational goals in alignment with the agency’s mission, philosophy, core values, funding requirements, and established best practices. The Director is responsible for ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, housing-focused services and the effective management of program operations, personnel, facilities, data, and budgets. 

Responsibilities 

Program Leadership and Oversight 

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all emergency shelter services, including services provided to families placed in hotels.

• Ensure program services are delivered in accordance with Shelter House’s philosophy, established best practices, grant and contract requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

• Develop and maintain program-specific policies, procedures, and workflows that align with Shelter House policies and current funder and contract requirements.

• Ensure continuity of essential program functions during staff absences and position vacancies.

• Facilitate the client appeal process related to shelter extensions, program exits, and other service decisions.

• Ensure customer satisfaction surveys are administered in accordance with contract requirements and use participant feedback to support continuous program improvement.

• Participates in an on-call rotation with Assistant Directors 

 

Staff Supervision and Development 

• Provide direct supervision to the Assistant Director of Programs (ADP) and Assistant Director of Shelter Operations (ADSO).

• Provide coaching, guidance, and professional-development support through regularly scheduled individual supervision meetings and performance evaluations.

• Review and approve staff timesheets, leave requests, check requests, and mileage reimbursements.

• Serve in an on-call capacity to support staff in responding to emergencies and crisis situations.

Case Management and Client Services 

• Through supervision of the ADP, ensure the case management team consistently applies strengths-based, trauma-informed, solution-focused, and housing-focused approaches.

• Support the ADP and case management team in addressing complex cases requiring higher-level intervention, problem-solving, or coordination.

• Provide guidance and support when staff respond to participants experiencing mental or physical health crises.

• Supports Case Managers directly in the absence of the ADP, including vacancies other periods of leave 

Shelter Operations and Facilities 

• Through supervision of the ADSO, ensure the Residential Coordinators team provides strengths-based, trauma-informed, and housing-focused support to shelter residents.

• Ensure a safe, secure, clean, and supportive environment for residents, staff, and visitors.

• Oversee the proper maintenance and operation of the shelter facility and program vehicles.

• Ensure the facility complies with all applicable health and safety regulations and that identified concerns are addressed promptly.

• Support the ADSO in coordinating essential personnel during safety-related incidents, weather emergencies, and other operational disruptions.

• Ensure established safety, sanitation, and cleaning protocols are consistently followed.

• Supports Residential Coordinators directly in the absence of the ADSO, including vacancies other periods of leave 

Data, Compliance, and Reporting 

• Support the ADP in ensuring compliance with Fairfax County Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) requirements.

• Monitor the timely completion, quality, and accuracy of participant records and program data.

• Collaborate with Data Program staff to ensure compliance with HUD Data Standards and Fairfax County HMIS requirements.

• Partner with Data Program staff to prepare for monitoring visits and file audits and ensure consistency between paper and electronic records.

• Prepare statistical, performance, and narrative reports for contractual compliance, quality-assurance activities, community education, and organizational planning, with support from Data Program staff as needed.

Financial Management 

• Collaborate with Shelter House’s Finance Department to manage program budgets responsibly and ensure program needs are met.

• Monitor program expenditures to ensure funds are used efficiently, appropriately, and in accordance with approved budgets, contracts, and funding requirements.

 

Community Engagement and Resource Development 

• Deliver presentations and represent Shelter House before community partners and other external audiences at the request of the Development or Executive Team.

• Partner with the Community Coordinator to regularly communicate program needs, including volunteer support and in-kind donations of goods and services.

• Ensure all accepted monetary and nonmonetary in-kind donations are appropriately documented and tracked.

• Support the Director of Development in cultivating mutually beneficial community relationships that strengthen partnerships, donor engagement, and organizational reach.

• Facilitate strategic introductions to potential partners and supporters when appropriate.

Organizational Leadership 

• Participate actively as a member of Shelter House’s Leadership Team and contribute to agency-wide planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement.

• Model Shelter House’s iCARE core values: Inclusivity, Colloborations, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

About You: 

 

Required:

• A bachelor's degree in human services/related field or commensurate experience

• 4+ years of progressive program and staff management

• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service, communication, teambuilding, and leadership skills.

• Strong communication skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Ability to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgements

• Creative, flexible, trauma informed

• Valid Driver’s License

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when needed

Preferred:

• A master's degree in human services/ related field

• Experience leading/ supporting programs serving families or individuals experiencing homelessness.

• Experience leading/managing in a residential or shelter environment 

Physical Requirements: 

• Annual TB Test is required 

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods 

• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds