DVSA Program Shelter and Housing Coordinator

Are you looking to make a real difference in the lives of others? Join the Catholic Charities team! For the last 100 years, we have had the distinct honor to provide help and hope for those in need. At Catholic Charities, our mission is to empower individuals and strengthen families. We do this through our vital programs including a food pantry, counseling services, emergency family shelter, community resource coordination, and domestic violence and sexual assault programming. We care for the dignity of the person, regardless of background, and strive to provide unparalleled support for those in need. 

The Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program provides services to anyone faced with these issues through a 24-hour crisis phone line, emergency shelter, court advocacy and much more. This program is based in Council Bluffs, Iowa and serves nine counties in southwest Iowa: Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby. Our on-site emergency shelter provides a safe, confidential living for up to eight families at a time.

The Shelter and Housing Coordinator provides oversight to the shelter and housing component of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) program in the nine-county service area of SW Iowa. Under the direction of the Program Manager, Shelter and Housing, this role ensures the highest level of participant services and program accountability. The Shelter and Housing Coordinator supervises the functioning of the 24-hour shelter, including full and part-time staff, in compliance with established standards and grant requirements. The Shelter and Housing Coordinator facilitates participant access to services including housing, financial, employment, and educational needs. Through a network of collaborative partnerships with state and federal agencies and local entities, this role is integral in empowering survivors to exit homelessness and maintain housing.

We Offer

• Competitive pay
• 35-hour workweek
• Generous vacation and sick pay
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flex Spending Plans
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• A supportive and uplifting working environment 

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee shelter and housing services and staff to ensure compliance with contracts/standards and monitor progress towards goals/objectives and projections. Develop plans for effectively evaluating shelter and housing programming.
• Assist the Program Managers and Director of Programs in developing and establishing programs goals and objectives. Monitor grant goals, program contracts and/or contractor performance. Collect and complete quarterly, biannual, and annual reports for the programs grants.
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with service providers in the service area to facilitate participant access to needed services. Learn and implement best practices regarding shelter and housing services, including collaboration with Iowa Finance Authority, Housing and Urban Development and other state and federal agencies. Build relationships with property owners and other housing providers to help survivors secure and maintain housing. Maintain a housing directory through regular contact with area housing programs.
• Build community awareness and education of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout the service area. Lead the Housing & Economic and Shelter teams to develop and present prevention and awareness campaigns, including Homeless Awareness Month. Present to schools, business partners, social service agencies, law enforcement, and others. Participate in community meetings and events in outreach counties to advocate and publicize services for survivors. Distribute agency materials throughout assigned areas. Some events may require working limited night or weekend hours.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local coalitions, task forces, human service agencies, religious and civic organizations, educational resources, and other community members. 
• Assist other Coordinators in maintaining quarterly schedule of rural office coverage and group facilitation coverage. 
• Maintain a safe and clean environment for shelter residents. Monitor the shelter environment and maintain order. Facilitate basic needs for shelter residents. Identify needed equipment and structural repairs for the facility. Work with Shelter Assistants to complete monthly Fire & Tornado drills and shelter maintenance reports.
• Coordinate with Shelter Assistants in scheduling personnel for 24-hour staffing needs of shelter. Act as back-up for overnight and weekend staff as needed.
• Oversee professional casework and crisis counseling to shelter residents and housing clients. Guide Shelter Assistants and housing team in developing and/or updating service plans with clients. Conduct regular oversight of participant case files, ensuring staff has documented services properly and completely. Meet regularly with Program Manager, Shelter Assistants, and housing team for quality review of case plans.
• Ensure participants receive appropriate supportive services according to their individual needs as determined by the initial intake/social history process and continuing needs assessment. Guide Shelter Assistants and housing team in their individual work with clients.
• Provide direct services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking in residential shelter and housing program. 
• Supervise and mentor Shelter Assistants, Housing and Economic Advocates, and Shelter Advocates in the overall direction and coordination of shelter services. Plan, assign, and direct work. Monitor and evaluate performance, providing discipline as necessary. Resolve issues as they arise. Develop team through regular training, individual supervision, and team meetings.
• Assist the Volunteer Coordinator in identifying needs for Emergency Shelter and utilizing volunteers. 
• Continually evaluate program services and make recommendations, contributing to the overall success of the program. Distribute surveys to clients following individual or group services to gather data for continuous improvement. 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field; 1-2 years related job experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Solid knowledge of human and social service programs and practices, specifically relating to shelter, housing, and economic resources.
• Knowledge of appropriate intervention techniques for working effectively with a variety of issues related to sexual assault and domestic abuse.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively present information and respond professionally to inquiries from clients, regulatory agencies, and members of the community.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people having diverse social concerns and problems, while maintaining personal boundaries. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively. 
• Good knowledge and familiarity with needs and resources in the community. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related software. Ability to learn program specific software applications. 

Additional Expectations

• Must maintain the ability to work flexible hours. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Travel to our service area sites required on a regular basis. Overnight travel for continuing education required on a limited basis. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to successfully pass Motor Vehicle Record check. Must provide own transportation, meeting auto insurance coverage requirements, with mileage reimbursement provided.
• Ability to pass a criminal background screening, including Child and Dependent Adult Abuse registry check is required. Compliance with Safe Environment training and monthly bulletins. FBI Fingerprinting is required.
• Must maintain absolute confidentiality of information, written or verbal, according to policy and legal requirements. 
• Attend staff meetings, community meetings, approved seminars, agency trainings/retreats, and professional conferences.
• Possess a strong commitment to the mission of Catholic Charities including the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and ability to demonstrate the philosophy and values of the agency. Employees are expected to support the Catholic Social Teaching principles in public forum. Fulfillment of the employee’s job responsibilities should be consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.