Emergency Residential Shelter Director

Emergency Residential Shelter Director

Waukegan, IL | A Safe Place

For nearly 50 years, A Safe Place has provided emergency shelter and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Lake County.

We are seeking an experienced operational leader to direct our Emergency Residential Shelter — a 24/7 trauma-informed environment serving high-risk survivors and their children.

This is not an entry-level clinical role.

This is a leadership position responsible for performance, people, and program outcomes.

The Role

The Emergency Residential Shelter Director leads all aspects of shelter operations, staff supervision, and service delivery. This position reports to the Chief of Residential Housing and collaborates with executive leadership to ensure ethical, high-quality, and compliant services.

The Director is accountable for:

• 24/7 residential program oversight
• Staff supervision and development
• Client service quality and safety standards
• Operational stability and coverage
• Community partnerships
• Program performance metrics

This role requires decisive leadership in a crisis-based environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Oversee day-to-day shelter operations and ensure continuous 24/7 coverage
• Manage staffing patterns, scheduling, and on-call rotation
• Ensure compliance with state, grant, and organizational requirements
• Monitor documentation standards and quality assurance processes
• Coordinate use of petty cash, gift cards, bus passes, and emergency client resources

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervise residential staff, interns, and volunteers
• Coach and address performance concerns proactively
• Support team resilience and manage burnout risks
• Assist in hiring and onboarding new team members

Client Services Oversight

• Ensure trauma-informed service delivery
• Review intake assessments and service plans for quality and appropriateness
• Support complex case consultations
• Advocate for clients with legal, housing, and medical partners

Strategic & Executive Partnership

• Partner with the Chief of Residential Housing on annual goals and program planning
• Contribute to data reporting, program evaluation, and performance improvement
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships across Lake County

We are seeking candidates with demonstrated leadership experience in residential, crisis, or behavioral health environments.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field
• 3–5 years of management experience in a residential, shelter, or crisis-based setting
• Direct staff supervision experience
• Strong understanding of domestic violence dynamics
• Experience in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care

Preferred:

• Professional licensure (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Experience managing 24/7 programs
• Budget oversight or program evaluation experience
• Bilingual Spanish fluency

You must be comfortable:

• Making independent operational decisions
• Managing high-intensity situations
• Holding staff accountable
• Maintaining clear professional boundaries
• Leading through ambiguity and crisis

Work Structure

• Full-time, Monday–Friday
• Participation in on-call rotation required
• Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday coverage
• 24/7 program accountability
• Travel within Lake County as needed

This role requires presence in both professional office settings and secure shelter environments.

Compensation

$60,000–$67,000 annually

Paid biweekly (26 pay periods)

Compensation is based on grant funding, experience, and expertise.

Full-time benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program

Who Thrives Here

You will succeed in this role if you:

• Lead calmly under pressure
• Communicate directly and clearly
• Value accountability and structure
• Balance empathy with operational discipline
• Believe in both safety and standards

Why Join A Safe Place

This is an opportunity to lead a program that changes lives daily.

You will influence staff culture, client outcomes, and the future direction of residential services in Lake County.

If you are an experienced residential leader ready to build stability, strengthen systems, and elevate performance, we want to hear from you.

Apply today.