Position: DEI Director

Location: Home office in San Jose; Services in the greater bay area

Employment Type: Regular Full Time, Exempt

Compensation: $95K-$115K

HomeFirst Services takes pride in its safety values, the wellness of our team, and respect for everyone we serve. Due to this commitment, HomeFirst Services mandates that all employees be vaccinated or render a religious or medical exemption effective September 13, 2021.

Position Summary:

Over the past 24 months, HomeFirst has invested plenty of resources in diversity, equity, inclusion, and advocacy efforts. From restructuring and revitalizing our DEI Council to prioritizing DEI and advocacy in our strategic planning, we are committed to doing more and being better in this space. We are committed to ensuring that current and future team members feel welcome and included in all we do. We are committed to providing our team members the knowledge and tools necessary to serve our houseless neighbors best and advocate on their behalf. Lastly, we recognize our responsibility to do our part to support our community’s efforts in furthering and strengthening social justice.

As our DEI Director, you will work within our Operations team under the direction of our Chief Operating Officer. You will work with other agency leaders and teams to provide guidance and direction as we navigate the work. You’ll form partnerships with our HR team, DEI Council, Strategic Planning Committees, and Training and Services Departments to ensure our DEI efforts cut across the organization. Together, we will push existing strategies and initiatives forward and create new ones where necessary, and you will lead us through these efforts.

Qualities:

As our new DEI Director- you genuinely connect with our agency’s mission and values; you are meticulous and thoughtful in your planning; you can hold one’s attention; you don’t mind public speaking and leading conversation; you are collaborative and will partner well with other leaders in our organization; you don’t shy away from something because it’s difficult; you’re a life-long learner and stay informed of DEI efforts and practices; you have a passion for justice, and you know what it’s like to be treated differently or unfairly because of your characteristics or beliefs.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the creation, implementation, and monitoring of an agency DEI plan, including the development, management, tracking, and analysis of key metrics measuring the effectiveness of DEI strategies.

• Assist with advancing DEI initiatives into daily operations by partnering with services and other departments to embed them into all aspects of the organization.

• Partners with our HR team to develop and support policies, programs, processes, and initiatives to increase the hiring, development, retention, and promotion of employees from traditionally under-represented groups.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, processes, and initiatives to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

• Support the design and implementation of educational, awareness, and training programs.

• Supports our Marketing and Communications Department to develop content for and maintain DEI communication materials and presentations for internal and external use.

• Participates in the DEI Council and provides resources, support, and guidance.

• As part of the DEI Council, reviews current practices and policies, assessing and analyzing the extent to which they support or hinder the company’s diversity goals.

• Maintains current knowledge of DEI-related issues, legislation, and best practices.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This role is further responsible for modeling the values and principles of HomeFirst within the agency and the broader community.

· The DEI Director is relentless in their commitment to ending homelessness via the principles of Housing First and Harm Reduction.

· The DEI Director is able to navigate the competing demands of internal and external stakeholders and balances their passion for service with developed business acumen.

· HomeFirst is a diverse company in a diverse field, and the DEI Director desires to work with people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds.

Eligibility and Qualifications:

Although we value academic achievement, we recognize that not everyone is fortunate enough to have had the opportunity for higher learning, and therefore, experience and knowledge are prioritized.

Requirements:

· Demonstrated knowledge of the subject area, evident by previous relevant work responsibilities

· Progressive professional responsibility, evidenced by previous positions held

· three years of professional services in the fields of DEI, HR, or Social Services

· Ability to be physically present (some remote work ok)

Preferred Attributes:

· Self-driven and motivated by the work

· Organized and clear in communication

· Ability to hear all sides

· Research and data-driven

· Creativity

Benefits of joining the HomeFirst Team

· Professional growth opportunities within the organization

· 100% medical coverage for employees with an opportunity to add dependents at a shared cost of 50%

· 401k match up to 5%

· 11 observed Holidays

· Generous PTO accrual begins with 120 hours annually and increases with tenure

· four additional PTO hours for Community Engagement provided annually

· Access to our Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) services

· Pet Insurance options available

About HomeFirst Services:

Established in 1980, with 40 years of experience, we are the premier Silicon Valley provider of homelessness services. We believe that everyone has the potential to get housed and stay housed. We relentlessly focus on eliminating barriers to housing and creating stability for everyone we serve.

HomeFirst Services serves more than 6,000 adults, veterans, families, and young adults each year at multiple locations in Santa Clara, San Mateo County, and Sonoma Counties.

Services include:

· Homelessness prevention

· Emergency and cold-weather shelters

· Comprehensive Veterans’ Services

· Rapid Rehousing programs

· Bridge Housing Communities

· Emergency Interim Housing

· Affordable permanent housing

· Permanent Supportive Housing

· Street-based outreach

· Systems Leadership