Director, Programs, Safe Options Support

Reporting to the Senior Director, Programs, the Director, Programs, Safe Options Support (SOS) is responsible for overseeing Safe Options Support (SOS) contracts serving the Rockaways and Staten Island.  Utilizing Critical Time Intervention (CTI), Harm Reduction, Recovery Orientation, Motivational Interviewing, and Peer Support, the Director manages this time-limited intervention program to help support a client’s journey from homelessness to housing.  

The Director manages Assistant Directors and oversees outreach activities and program operations while clearly communicating and collaborating with Breaking Ground’s Street to Home programs, external outreach providers, city agencies, and community stakeholders. 

The Director is responsible for meeting performance targets including transitional and permanent housing placement goals and developing strategies to achieve those targets. The Director supports Harm Reduction and Housing First strategies and other best-practice clinical interventions. The Director provides leadership to the program by informing decision making, implementing policies and procedures, and facilitating effective communication. 

The Director works primarily during business hours Monday-Friday, with off hours availability in case of emergency or for special projects/initiatives. The position requires oversight of 24/7 operations and flexibility in work schedule as needed. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Oversee all program components for Safe Options Support (SOS) teams across multiple locations and is responsible for outreach and housing placement activities including special operations and joint initiatives with city agencies and other stakeholders; targeted initiatives to expedite housing placement and other interventions; follow-up with clients placed in transitional housing as well as those remaining on the street
• Supervise Assistant Program Directors
• Manage communication and meet regularly with Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC) and Office of Mental Health (OMH)
• Develop outreach and engagement strategies to identify areas where individuals are staying on the street, especially around transit hubs, and provide services to support these individuals
• Ensure high quality service delivery by supporting best practice interventions with street homeless populations, collaborating with on-site psychiatric/street medicine team, and providing crisis intervention, including 958 removals and risk assessments
• Oversee program’s fleet management and facilities management
• Responsible for program outcome measures and performance targets and utilize management tools and data to create systems of accountability to ensure performance measures are achieved
• Collaborate with partner agencies, community members, and other stakeholders to establish a shared understanding of street homelessness and develop solution-oriented strategies and responses
• Ensure positive communication and collaboration with partners in transitional and supportive housing, hospitals, and other service providers
• Responsible for managing the program’s budget
• Support professional growth and learning for program staff through regular, structured supervision, team meetings, in-service trainings, modeling, enhancing organizational awareness and ensuring thorough communication with internal and external partners
• Performs other duties as assigned 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• NYS Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) required. Must obtain LMSW within first six months of employment    
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience
• Experience working in 24/7 programs and working with homeless or formerly homeless populations strongly preferred
• Thorough clinical understanding of relevant service delivery concepts and structures including Housing First, client centered Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction models, behavioral and medical health systems, and the ability to access and negotiate the full range of services for recipients
• Experience with crisis intervention, including risk assessments and incident management
• Ability to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated success in working in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Ability to delegate and motivate staff to achieve deliverables
• Ability to communicate (verbally and written) with diverse populations and stakeholders
• Valid NY, NJ, or CT driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams; Familiarity with Access-based databases and the ability to learn new programs are required
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred