Bethany Woman's Center - Day Program - Lead Program Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Program Associate

Department/Program: Bethany Women's Center

Reports To: BWC Program Manager

Location: 1333 N Street NW

FLSA Status: Exempt

EEO Classification: Laborers and helpers

Supervisor: Yes

Job Function: Essential Onsite

Revision Date: July 2026

Overview

The Lead Program Associate serves as the lead frontline staff member supporting daily operations at Bethany Women's Center. This position provides direct supervision and guidance to Program Associates, interns, and volunteers while ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, person-centered services for women experiencing homelessness. The role coordinates daily operations, supports crisis response, oversees shift activities, facilitates programming, maintains documentation, monitors facility operations, and serves as the acting site lead in the absence of the Program Manager.

Key Role Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and guidance to Program Associates and volunteers during assigned shifts.
• Coordinate daily program operations to ensure services are delivered safely, efficiently, andin accordance withagency standards.
• Welcome clients and build trusting, trauma-informed relationships whileassistingwith meals, showers, laundry, clothing, and day services.
• Conduct proactive client outreach and connect clients to theappropriate internalor external resource.
• Respond to crises, conflicts, and emergencies using de-escalation, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches as well as agency policy.
• Complete incident reports, shift reports, andrequireddocumentationaccurately andwithin establishedtimeframes.
• Observe and communicate significant client needs or behavioral changes to appropriate clinical staff.
• Monitor facility cleanliness, safety, inventory, and program readiness.
• Support meal service and ensure compliance with food safety practices.
• Assistwith scheduling, training, onboarding, and mentoring staff as directed.
• Serve as acting site lead and liaison with internal and external partners in the absence of the Program Manager.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Assistin the design, implementation, and facilitation of wellness programs and activities focused on mental wellness, physical activity, nutrition, mindfulness, stress management, and disease prevention.
• Support wellness initiatives including fitness classes, health screenings, workshops, wellness challenges, and community events.
• Coordinate schedules for wellness activities, volunteers, and community partners to ensure smooth program delivery.
• Assistin the development and implementation of wellness and functional literacy programming.
• Create and distribute the monthly wellness calendar across N Street Village programs and departments.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff, healthcare providers, volunteers, and community partners.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Promote a safe, welcoming,equitable, and recovery-oriented environment.
• Assistwith volunteer coordination, onboarding, and ongoing support to ensure effective engagement and program success.
• Participate in staff meetings, interdisciplinary team meetings, supervision sessions, and training opportunities to support professional growth and program alignment.
• Support partnerships with community organizations to expand access to wellness services and strengthen supportive resources for clients.

Other Duties as Assigned

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The Lead Program Associate may be required to perform additional duties, tasks, or responsibilities as assigned by the Program Manager, Director of Health and Wellbeing, or other designated leadership to support the evolving needs of the program, department, clients, and organization. Such duties may be temporary or ongoing and are intended to support the overall mission, operational effectiveness, and service delivery of N Street Village.

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GEDrequired;Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, or related field preferred.
• Two years of experience in homeless services, human services, shelter operations, or a related field; leadership experience preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health challenges, substance use disorders, and trauma.
• Basic computerproficiency ; experience with HMIS preferred.
• Food Handler Certification and CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising frontline staff or volunteers.

• Knowledge of community resources and homeless services.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds in support of daily program operations and wellness activities. The Wellness Program Assistant must be able to assist with the setup, facilitation, and breakdown of wellness programming, including moving supplies, preparing activity spaces, and supporting meal or resource distribution as needed. The role operates in a fast-paced, client-centered environment serving women experiencing homelessness, trauma, behavioral health challenges, and housing instability, which may involve exposure to communicable diseases and other high-needs situations. The employee must be able to respond calmly and effectively to crisis situations, maintain awareness of safety concerns, and adapt to changing program needs. This position may also require occasional evening, weekend, or holiday coverage to support wellness events, community activities, or emergency program operations.

2 Shift Open
Sun - Thurs 7:30 am - 3:30pm