Program Director

Description

ABOUT LIFEMOVES

LifeMoves is the largest and most effective provider of housing and services for neighbors experiencing homelessness in Silicon Valley since 1987. Our Mission is to end homelessness by providing interim housing, supportive services, and building collaborative partnerships. With 40 programs, LifeMoves gives our neighbors experiencing homelessness a temporary place to call home while providing intensive, customized case management through site-based programs and community outreach.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Julian Street Inn Program Director plays a key role in supporting the daily operations, safety, and overall success of the program they are leading. This role models the agency’s values by treating everyone with respect and care, and creating a culture where clients and staff feel welcomed and empowered.

One major focus of this role is building strong team relationships, inspiring professional growth, and helping maintain a healthy and positive program culture. They provide trauma-informed guidance and supervision to their programs team, helping staff grow through coaching, mentoring, and encouragement. The role partners closely with leadership of the Program & Services Department to identify training needs, strengthen team communication, and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, client-centered services and data input.

Additionally, this role plays an important part in keeping the program safe and supportive. They work with staff and clients to identify safety concerns, provide education, and partner on solutions. They maintain strong relationships with community partners and funders, ensuring that contracts are followed and that external relationships stay positive and professional. Throughout all their work, this role leads with curiosity instead of assumptions, promotes continuous learning, and helps move the program forward with creativity, teamwork, and a focus on the mission.

LifeMoves Interim supportive Housing programs serve neighbors in time-based accommodations by providing more stability before their move to permanent housing and focusing on accommodations, meals, laundry, case management, and therapy. These sites are staffed 24/7 and this role provides oversight to staff on site and reports to the Director of Interim Supportive Housing.

LifeMoves | Julian Street Inn (JSI) provides interim supportive housing in San Jose to 85 individuals. During their stay, clients participate in holistic services tailored to each household’s unique needs and goals. Clients receive support to build self-sufficiency and return to housing stability. The team supports clients with employment, housing, benefits, physical and behavioral health through case management, workshops, and connection to specialized resources.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Program and Operations Management

• Help manage daily program operations to ensure services are safe, welcoming, and effective. Support program administration, budget management, and scheduling to meet program goals and needs.

• Identify and partner to address safety, training, and data concerns and needs.

• Share timely verbal and written updates with and between leadership and your program team.

Leadership and Supervision

• Coach, mentor, and guide staff using trauma-informed and strengths-based practices through regular feedback, training opportunities, and positive supervision. Help create a positive and supportive program culture where staff feel safe, respected, and motivated.

• Plan and lead client meetings, staff meetings, team check-ins, and individual 1-1 meetings.

• Help with hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluating staff.

Client Services Support

• Help ensure that all client services are trauma-informed, ethical, professional, and effective. Support staff in the development and facilitation of groups, workshops, activities and meetings for clients.

• Provide direct client support when needed, including information, referrals, and crisis intervention. When needed, maintain a small caseload of clients and support them toward housing and stability.

• Oversee case management services and ensure that staff maintain thorough, accurate, and up-to-date client files.

Community and Stakeholder Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with service providers, businesses, government agencies, and community groups. Collaborate with partners to enhance services and expand resources for clients.

• Represent LifeMoves professionally in the community and help educate partners about available programs and services.

• Support contract management by ensuring program activities meet expectations and funder requirements.

Compliance, Reporting, and Quality Improvement

• Help gather information and review monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.

• Support compliance with funding, regulatory, and agency requirements, including HUD, Fair Housing, and other guidelines.

• Assist in program audits, certifications, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

• Partner with staff and leadership to identify opportunities for program growth, innovation, and service excellence.

General Agency Responsibilities

• Attend team, staff, partner, board meetings and fundraising events as needed.

• Participate in agency-wide initiatives, trainings, and activities that support LifeMoves' mission.

• Fully participate in all required trainings. This includes completing trainings by assigned deadlines, actively engaging during sessions, and applying what you learn to your daily work.

  • Training expectations in the first 90 days of employment include but are not limited to CPR, Mental Health/First Aide (MHFA), Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training, HMIS and internal database training.

  • Additional required trainings through our online Learning Management System Relias include but are not limited to Client's Experience of Trauma-Informed Care, Working with Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Overview of Serious Mental Illness for Paraprofessionals, Working with Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Substance Use Disorder, An Overview of Substance Use Disorders, Strategies for Preventing and De-escalating Hostile Situations, Recognizing and Responding to a Person in Crisis, Maintaining Professional Boundaries, Overcoming Barriers to LGBTQ+ Affirming Behavioral Health Services, Privacy and Confidentiality for Non-HIPAA Covered Entities, Child/Elder/Dependent Abuse Prevention and Mandated Reporting, Preventing, Identifying, and Responding to Abuse and Neglect, Reporting Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse in California, Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the needs of the program, department, and organization.

Program and Operations Management

• Manage daily operations to ensure high-quality service delivery onsite.

• Ensure the site stays clean, safe, welcoming, and well-maintained for clients, staff, and visitors.

• Oversee and provide guidance on site to team members, ensuring effective coordination of client services and seamless implementation of program activities.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Requirement

• Bachelors in Psychology, Sociology or other humanities field required; Masters in Social Work or related field preferred

Service Level Qualifications

• Care, Respect, Empathy: Willingness and ability to work with people from all backgrounds with care, respect, and empathy. Understands and is committed to learning about, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices. Demonstrates radical hospitality by welcoming everyone with kindness, respect, and non-judgment.

• Emotional Regulation: Manages stress and emotions professionally, remaining calm and supportive even under pressure. Understands and practices de-escalation techniques to support safety and positive client outcomes.

• Growth Mindset: Open to feedback, asks questions, and shows a strong growth mindset focused on continuous learning. Curious and motivated to learn about trauma-informed care, crisis support, and harm reduction practices.

• Team & Independence: Works well both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Follows directions, communicates clearly, and seeks help or clarification when needed.

• Documentation: Maintains clear, unbiased, and professional documentation and communication.

• Organization & Prioritization: Demonstrates organizational skills and attention to detail to support smooth daily operations. Shows initiative, takes responsibility for tasks, and engages actively with clients, coworkers, and community partners.

• Technology: Comfortable using basic technology, including phone and messaging systems, email, Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases to complete administrative tasks, case management, reporting, and tracking outcomes, and performance management software.

Care Team Level Qualifications:

• Advocacy Skills: Actively advocates for clients, particularly in navigating systems, accessing benefits, and ensuring equitable treatment. Demonstrates the ability to advocate on behalf of clients with various providers and agencies.

• Resource Identification: Able to identify and leverage community resources and services to meet clients' diverse needs. Effectively directs clients to appropriate housing, employment, health, and social service programs.

• Research Skills: Utilizes strong problem-solving skills to research issues, track resources, and find solutions for clients’ needs, including housing, employment, and health & well being.

• Partnership Engagement: Builds and nurtures effective partnerships with community organizations, service providers, and external agencies. Demonstrates strong communication and collaboration skills to advocate for and serve clients.

Program Leadership Qualifications:

• Delegation: Capable of effectively delegating tasks when working with teams, ensuring responsibilities are balanced and tasks are completed efficiently.

• Crisis Response: Able to respond calmly and effectively to crises, offering support and utilizing de-escalation strategies.

• Direct Service Experience: Minimum of 3 years of direct experience in a leadership role within a human services or social services setting, with a focus on supporting vulnerable populations and navigating complex systems

• Boundaries: Maintains clear and professional boundaries with clients, colleagues, and community partners, balancing empathy with professionalism to prevent burnout. Guides and supports supervisees in understanding and setting their own healthy boundaries, offering advice and encouragement in navigating challenges. Helps staff recognize signs of boundary-crossing and develops strategies for maintaining personal and professional limits in a trauma-informed, strengths-based way. Promotes a safe, supportive environment where staff can discuss boundary-related issues without judgment, using reflective practices and feedback to strengthen their skills. Models boundary-setting behaviors consistently, demonstrating the importance of self-awareness, self-care, and sustainability in the human services field.

• Best Practices: Mental Health First Aid or similar qualifications. Knowledge of or experience with harm reduction principles and practices.

• Program Model and Philosophy: Able to model agency values, program model, and philosophy consistently in everyday interactions. Displays the ability to embody the core principles of the organization's mission in practice.

• Group Facilitation Skills: Comfortable facilitating group discussions, workshops, or meetings to support clients’ growth, education, and empowerment. Uses group settings to foster learning, collaboration, and positive group dynamics.

• Public speaking experience is a nice to have

• Supervision Experience: Two years of experience

• Budgeting: Basic knowledge

• Contract Deliverables: Basic knowledge

• Forward Thinking: Ability to anticipate future needs and changes in programming

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervision of Case Managers, Specialists (as applicable: housing, employment, benefit, children service coordinators, licensed vocational nurses) and supervision of Residential Service Coordinators, Resident Mangers, and Program Aides (as applicable) who are responsible for performing site operation duties.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires regular travel between agency sites, community partner locations, client service events, and external meetings. As such:

  • A valid [State] driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

  • Must be able to travel throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties as part of regular duties.

  • Mileage reimbursement is provided in accordance with agency policy.

  • Occasional evening or weekend travel may be required to attend community events or support client services.

  • Must maintain vehicle insurance as required by law and agency policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with others in the workplace. The employee must frequently use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities this position requires include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This rewarding role offers a competitive annual base salary and an opportunity to participate in the LifeMoves benefits package.

LifeMoves is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to building a culturally diverse staff representing the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical or mental disability (non-disqualifying), sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, personal favoritism, lived experiences or any other non-merit-based factor. Candidates who are bilingual/bi-cultural, of color, Native/Indigenous, with disabilities, who identify as LGBTQIA+, or who are members of other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We aim to create and sustain inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environments where everyone can thrive.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LifeMoves. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.

If you require a disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (650) 685-5880.