Director of Social Services

Join a team where you can offer compassion, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for people in need in your local community!

The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it’s a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the US, we serve people with food to shelter opportunities and almost everything in between. We are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that make up a huge western region team. In other words, we’re committed to big and small at the same time. That makes us a seriously great place to work. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward. We welcome you on finding your place to offer opportunities for people in need!

General Statement

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer.

Scope Of Position

Administrative and program development and management for all social services programs and personnel/volunteer functions for The Salvation Army (TSA) In Spokane, Washington, including grant writing, administrative staff, volunteers, and interns related to social services. This position entails the development and management of government and private contracts and assistance programs funded by public and private agencies and TSA. The department head is responsible to ensure that all programs under the Social Services Department meet contract specifications/guidelines and TSA policies and procedures, Including TSA Social Service Standards. The Director is responsible for developing, managing, and staying within budget for all the social services programs, including ensuring billing and accuracy with contract guidelines.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Overall supervision of Community Services, Family Emergency Shelter, Stepping Stones Transitional Housing, Housing Stabilization and Empowerment, Homeless Families Coordinated Assessment, Housing and essential needs, Warming Centers, volunteers, interns and work study and Service Coordinators
• This is a working director position to offset daily workloads or staffing vacancies. The director must be able to fill in for absent staff (including providing direct services) vacancies or find replacement staff within budget and reason. The Director is responsible for knowing each of the Social Servies programs within work scope and length of time that is reasonable
• Directly supervise Social Servies staff, volunteers, interns, and practicum students
• Responsible for Social Services program development and design
• Responsible for all contract management, processing, implementation, guidelines, reporting and administration using the TSA TSAMM as a minute meetings tool
• Management includes processing contracts for signature and requesting
• Insurance certificates. Implementation includes developing or revising policies and procedures to be in compliance and training staff.
• Responsible for meeting deadlines
• Provide strategic analysis, research, and planning for Social Services
• Ensure that data is being collected to support the programs and development. Analyze the data to ensure that programs are assisting participants, meeting goals/outcomes and that data is accurate. Analyze data for gaps in services and needed changes in processes.
• Assist with development of jobs and job descriptions for staff, interns, practicum students, and volunteers
• With the support of Human Resources, ensure recruitment needs are met for the Social Services programs including onboarding and training
• Networking and representing The Salvation Army, including providing leadership roles, assisting with community planning, and encouraging participation of other Social Services staff
• Network the Social Servies programs with other Salvation Army programs
• Maintain and develop surveys to monitor Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), gather data, and collect stories
• Certify direct payments on behalf of participants and monitor accuracy and budget
• Enforce and develop policies and procedures (including operations manuals) within The Salvation Army policies and procedures and social services standards, law, WACs, licensing, and contract requirements
• Maintain and apply for licenses as needed and as required by law
• Provide regular staff meetings and training, including review of policies and procedures and providing for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
• Advocate for participants, programs, and The Salvation Army, including keeping informed about changes to programming, funding, and legislation
• Create partnerships, collaborate with other entities, and coordinate resources
• Supervise the management, retrieval, and destruction of records within established guidelines
• Manage appeals and grievance of program participants
• Develop and manage a needs assessment survey to assist in future development of the Family Resource Campus and other Salvation Army programs
• Available for program emergencies and staff vacancies
• Ensure staff and volunteers are trained and following TSA and Spokane safety policies and practices
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Education And Work Experience

• A master’s degree or higher in social work or related field
• 5 years supervisory experience preferred
• A bachelor’s degree in social work or related field is acceptable with 8 years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in the combined fields of social work, personnel, and fiscal management

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• Pass a Criminal Background Check
• Possess a Driver License with clear driving record; ability to clear a Motor Vehicle Records check, including must be at least 21 years of age
• Successfully complete TSA Driver Training upon hire and annually thereafter
• Have or obtain First Aid & CPR certification and Bloodborne Pathogens training
• Knowledge of social services and local resources
• Be sensitive and understand the comprehensive mission of The Salvation Army
• General knowledge of business protocols
• Must have good customer service skills, networking skills, and the ability to positively represent The Salvation Army
• Able to be flexible and available to meet the needs of the programs, staff, and The Salvation Army
• Experience administering, developing, and complying with private and public funding
• Experience recruiting and supervising staff, interns, practicum students, and volunteers
• Possess leadership attributes to develop a robust program and strong staff
• Motivate, coach, and mentor staff with the ability to provide on-going staff development
• Ability to empathize with and advocate for low-income and vulnerable people and to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Have excellent interpersonal skills, with emphasis on effectively working in a team environment and with a diverse population
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills
• Have a positive and professional demeanor when relating to participants, staff, and agencies. Directors are expected to set an example for other staff and volunteers.
• Possess time management skills
• Ability to work with diverse populations

Software-related Skills

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and other software
• Working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead
• Ability to operate telephone
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer
• Ability to understand written information

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Working Conditions

• The work is typically performed in a business office or residential shelter setting
• Fast-past environment with interruptions requiring adaptability, compassion, and time management
• High emotional demands requiring resilience, as they often deal with vulnerable populations and, at times, hostile individuals

Work Schedule / Location:

Five days per week to meet the needs of the social services programs with potential for evenings or weekends for emergencies or meetings / In-person at Spokane Citadel Corps in Spokane, WA.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunities for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization’s need or when circumstances change.

A generous benefits package is included with full-time positions: paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical, vision, and dental insurances.

Health Insurance:

Low bi-weekly premiums ($34.62) for employee only coverage, Kaiser HMO for those residing in a Kaiser service area, Anthem EPO/PPO is available for those residing outside of a Kaiser service area. Voluntary +1 and +family coverage at additional cost. Delta Dental DHMO and DPPO dental insurance offered starting at $2.31 bi-weekly cost. Employees are covered by an employer paid life insurance policy. Voluntary supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability plans are available.

Retirement Plans:

Employer-funded Money Purchase Pension Plan (Defined Contribution Plan) 50% vested at 5 years eligible service time, employee funded voluntary 403(b) options

Parental Leave:

Benefit will be one week (5 business days) of paid leave at the employee’s normal rate of pay for births, adoptions and foster placements.

Sick Leave:

12 days annually accruing from day one, eligible for use after 3 months’ service time.

Paid Vacation:

2 weeks annually accruing from day one, for non-exempt positions. 4 weeks annually accruing from day one, for exempt positions. Accrued vacation eligible for use after 6 months’ service time.

Paid Holidays:

13 designated holidays + 1 floating holiday per year