Associate Director of Emergency & Transitional Programs at LA CASA NORTE

Chicago, Illinois, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 Jul, 26

Salary

80000.0

Posted On

16 Apr, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Program Leadership, Staff Supervision, Trauma-informed Care, Crisis Intervention, Harm Reduction, Budget Management, Compliance Management, Strategic Planning, Community Engagement, Performance Management, Operational Oversight, Data Quality Assurance, Team Mentorship, Housing First, Positive Youth Development, Grant Compliance

Industry

Individual and Family Services

Description

Title: Associate Director of Emergency & Transitional Programs Reports To: Vice President of Programs Classification: Full-Time (Exempt) Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000 La Casa Norte’s mission is to serve youth and families confronting homelessness. We provide access to stable housing and deliver comprehensive services that act as a catalyst to transform lives and communities. La Casa Norte’s mission and philosophy of service is to impact the social issues of homelessness at the individual and community levels. Summary of Responsibilities La Casa Norte is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Associate Director of Programs (Shelter, Transitional & Supportive Programs), overseeing our Emergency Shelter, Drop-In Center, Transitional Housing, and supportive services for youth and families experiencing homelessness. This role drives high-quality, consistent program operations across multiple sites while coaching Program Managers to lead strong, effective teams. The Associate Director leads crisis response, stabilization efforts, and participant-centered services, including engagement and safety planning. Grounded in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and Positive Youth Development, this position ensures participants are supported on their path to stability, wellness, and permanent housing. The Associate Director plays a key role in advancing program excellence and deepening La Casa Norte’s impact in the community. This is a full-time onsite exempt position working Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Program Leadership & Operational Oversight * Provide strategic and operational oversight of Emergency Shelter, Drop-In Center, Transitional Housing, and supportive programs to ensure effective service delivery and achievement of program goals. * Develop, implement, and refine systems, workflows, and standard operating procedures to promote consistency and high-quality services. * Oversee daily operations across sites, including participant engagement, safety protocols, facility coordination, and basic needs services. * Monitor program performance and ensure compliance with funder requirements (DFSS, IDHS, HUD, and others) and industry best practices. * Identify and resolve operational challenges to improve service delivery, participant engagement, and outcomes. * Provide on-call leadership support on a rotating basis and guide staff during crisis situations. * Collaborate with clinical teams and external partners to address behavioral health needs and ensure appropriate interventions. Staff Supervision & Development * Supervise Program Managers across Shelter, Drop-In, Transitional Housing, and Supportive Programs. * Provide consistent on-site leadership across multiple program locations in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. * Deliver coaching, mentorship, and professional development to support high-quality, trauma-informed care. * Ensure consistency in supervision practices, performance management, and service expectations across teams. * Conduct regular supervision (minimum every three weeks), team meetings, and weekly check-ins to review schedules, staffing coverage, and operational needs. * Oversee hiring, onboarding, and staffing structures to ensure adequate coverage across all shifts, including evenings and weekends. * Ensure staff are trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation models (e.g., Handle with Care or equivalent). * Conduct probationary and annual performance evaluations for direct reports. * Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable culture that supports staff well-being and retention. Shelter, Stabilization & Supportive Program Leadership * Oversee shelter-based, transitional, and supportive programs to ensure safe, responsive, and participant-centered services. * Ensure staff support participants in meeting immediate needs, developing stabilization plans, and progressing toward housing readiness and long-term goals. * Manage participant flow, including intake, engagement, referrals, and transitions to housing and supportive services. * Maintain a welcoming, safe, and trauma-informed environment for participants, including those with high-acuity needs. * Strengthen coordination with internal housing programs and external partners to support transitions to permanent housing. * Evaluate program effectiveness and refine or develop policies and procedures to improve outcomes and performance metrics. Compliance & Data Management * Ensure accuracy and timeliness of program data and documentation (Client Track, HMIS, housing stability plans, activity logs, and reports). * Conduct regular audits to ensure data quality and compliance with government contracts and funder requirements. * Collaborate with Data and Finance teams on budgeting, reporting, and funding alignment. * Support Development and Finance teams to ensure programming aligns with grant requirements and funding expectations. * Participate in budget development and monitoring to ensure appropriate resource allocation. Partnerships, Community Engagement & Strategic Planning * Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, service providers, and funders. * Represent La Casa Norte in coalitions, advocacy efforts, and community meetings related to homelessness, youth services, and supportive housing. * Support fundraising and communications by contributing program data, outcomes, and impact stories. * Contribute to agency-wide strategic planning to strengthen service quality and program effectiveness. * Collaborate on new funding opportunities, grant development, and program expansion in partnership with senior leadership. Organizational Engagement * Attending weekly staff meetings and other staff training courses * Participating in La Casa Norte’s fundraising events * Working in team approach to developing new programs * Perform other duties as required Qualifications & Experience * Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field (or equivalent experience). * Minimum of 5 years of experience in youth services, homelessness, housing, or workforce development, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. * Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, Housing First, harm reduction, and crisis intervention models. * Demonstrated experience managing multiple programs, teams, and budgets in a nonprofit or social services setting. * Proven ability to recruit, train, and supervise staff. * Strong operational and organizational management skills, including program logistics and facility coordination. * Experience working with government contracts, grants, and compliance requirements. * Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Compensation and Benefits Package Includes: * Paid Time Off: 14 vacation days per year. * Personal Days: 7 personal days per year (may be carried over into the following year but must be used by December 31 of that year). * Holidays: 10 paid holidays annually. * Sick Leave: 6 sick days per year (up to 20 hours of unused sick time may be carried over year to year). * Health Insurance: Medical coverage through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (HMO or PPO options available). * Dental and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options available. * Retirement Savings: 403(b) retirement savings plan. * Life Insurance: $25,000 in basic term life insurance (provided at no cost to the employee). * Disability Insurance: Long-term disability insurance (provided at no cost to the employee). * Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Options for pre-tax savings on eligible healthcare, transit, and dependent care expenses. * Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support and resources for employees. Work Environment & Requirements * Availability to work flexible hours as needed, evenings and weekends as required. * Ability to travel locally for site visits, meetings, and community engagement. * 24/7 on-call responsibilities required Supervisory and Non-Union Classification Justification: This position is classified as Non-Union based on the following exemptions under applicable labor law: * Managerial Exclusion: The Associate Director has hiring, supervision, evaluation, and discipline authority over multiple staff roles and provides strategic direction in operational planning. * Supervisory Exclusion: The position includes direct supervision of staff and vendors, assignment of work, and oversight of work quality and performance. * Confidentiality Exclusion: The Associate Director has access to sensitive personnel, financial, and vendor information, including emergency preparedness plans and contract negotiations, which require discretion and confidentiality in decision-making. La Casa Norte is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, pregnancy or related conditions, or disability. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, walk up and down stairs, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

How To Apply:

Incase you would like to apply to this job directly from the source, please click here

Responsibilities

The Associate Director provides strategic and operational oversight for emergency, transitional, and supportive housing programs while supervising program managers. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, maintains compliance with funder requirements, and fosters a trauma-informed environment for participants.