Center for Safety and Empowerment (CSE) Director

Job Description

Job Description

YWCA Northeast Kansas is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We provide transformative services in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking, Community Violence Interruption, before- and after-school programming, and leadership and inclusion initiatives.

Job Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Work Schedule: Mutually determined

Reporting Relationship: Director of Program

Work Environment: Multi-site with Main Office as primary headquarters.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Center for Safety and Empowerment (CSE) Director provides leadership and oversight for all CSE programming, including domestic violence (DV), sexual violence (SV), human trafficking (HT), and stalking (ST) services. The role ensures effective day-to-day program operations, high-quality service delivery, and alignment with agency standards, funder requirements, and trauma-informed practices.

The CSE Director oversees core service areas including Main Office client services, crisis response services, emergency shelter operations, and drop-in day center survivor services, providing free and confidential, trauma-informed services to individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. Services include 24/7 crisis response, shelter, advocacy, and supportive services designed to meet individuals where they are and support safety, stability, and healing across Shawnee, Jackson, Brown, Nemaha, and Wabaunsee Counties.

This position directly supervises program managers and/or supervisors and ensures that staff are supported, services are coordinated, and programs operate consistently across all service areas.

The CSE Director plays a key role in implementing an integrated service model within the Main Office, supporting coordination across service areas and contributing to a seamless, accessible, and responsive experience for individuals and families seeking support.

RESPONSIBILTIIES

Program Operations & Partnerships

• Oversees day-to-day operations of all CSE services, ensuring accessible, responsive, and survivor-centered support across all entry points, including crisis response, shelter, advocacy, and drop-in services.
• Ensures services are delivered consistently using trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally responsive practices.
• Implements and maintains program policies, procedures, and service standards to support effective and consistent service delivery.
• Monitors service delivery to ensure programs are meeting client needs and operating as designed.
• Ensures services are accessible, coordinated, and responsive to individuals across multiple counties and service locations.
• Ensures coordination across all CSE services to support a seamless client experience.
• Implements and maintains alignment of services within the Main Office, strengthening coordination across co-located programs.
• Supports cross-program integration efforts led by the Director of Programs.
• Identifies operational barriers to service access and coordination and implements program-level solutions to improve service flow and client experience.
• Builds, maintains, and strengthens relationships with community partners to support coordinated, survivor-centered service delivery.
• Actively represents and advances CSE within coordinated community response efforts, including task forces, councils, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensures CSE maintains a consistent and reliable presence within community partnerships addressing domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking.
• Collaborates with community partners to address service gaps, improve access, and strengthen the overall community response to violence.

Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Directly supervises program managers and/or supervisors across CSE service areas.
• Provides coaching, guidance, and performance management to program leadership staff.
• Ensures staff are supported in delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services across all program areas.
• Supports staff development and promotes a culture of accountability, teamwork, and open communication.
• Addresses performance concerns and supports problem-solving within program teams.

Compliance, Data & Program Quality

• Implements and maintains program compliance with funder requirements, contracts, and regulatory standards.
• Ensures program documentation, data collection, and reporting practices are consistently implemented and meet standards for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Oversees and approves program activity records to ensure alignment with program expectations, documentation standards, and funder requirements.
• Reviews and approves staff expense reports and mileage reimbursements in accordance with organizational policies, funding guidelines, and allowable cost requirements.
• Reviews and approves requests for direct client assistance, ensuring appropriate use of funds and alignment with program guidelines, funding restrictions, and client needs.
• Works in partnership with the Grants Manager to support program reporting, documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Monitors program-level performance and outcomes to ensure services are effective, consistent, and aligned with established service models.
• Prepares program areas for audits, monitoring visits, and quality reviews, ensuring documentation, practices, and records meet required standards.

Other Position Functions

• Supervises external contractors and administrative staff, as applicable.
• Refrains from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.
• Develops, promotes, and practices teamwork and open communication in all activities.
• Assists in maintaining the operational functions of YWCA Northeast Kansas headquarters, including serving as a substitute for the front desk when needed.
• Advocates, promotes, and practices cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in day-to-day interactions.
• Other duties as associated by the supervisor and CEO. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

At minimum, the CSE Director must have Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration or a related field. Relevant professional experience may be substituted for formal education requirements. Experience in DV/SV/HT/ST programming strongly preferred. In addition, the CSE Director shall have:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in DV/SV/HT/ST or human services programming.
• Experience working with trauma-informed and survivor-centered service models.
• Experience with crisis response, shelter operations, advocacy services, or similar direct service environments.
• Excellent knowledge and experience of computer applications such as word processing, Excel, electronic data tracking, internet, websites, and more.
• Dedication to relationship building and a commitment to working as an integral part of a team, while exercising significant initiative and autonomy.
• Commitment to the YWCA mission and values, including a strong focus on racial equity and social justice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Work Environment: Office
• Lifting Requirement: 50 pounds
• Able to climb flights of stairs multiple times daily.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel in local community.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Transportation.
  • Auto insurance.
• Pass various background checks.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please apply through Indeed.com or submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to View email address on us.fitly.work. Applicants will be required to pass the identified screening process prior to hiring.

NON DISCRIMINATION

YWCA Northeast Kansas is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and trauma-informed workplace. We recognize that systemic inequities impact many aspects of society, and we strive to address these through our policies, practices, and organizational culture. We believe that diversity in all its forms strengthens our mission and our work.

We do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. No question on our application is intended to secure information to be used for such discrimination.

We are also committed to fair hiring practices, including the consideration of qualified applicants with criminal records, in line with applicable laws and our values of second chances and community reintegration.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds — including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQIA+ individuals; people with disabilities; gender-diverse individuals; survivors; and members of other historically underrepresented communities.