Director of the Pathways to Permanent Housing Program

Job Title:                    Director of the Pathways to Permanent Housing Program               

Reports To:                Associate Vice President of Shelter Programs

FLSA Status:             Full-time/Salaried

About Guest House of Milwaukee, the largest housing program provider in Wisconsin

Since first opening our doors as a short-term emergency shelter in 1982 in the same location we stand today, Guest House of Milwaukee has grown to provide a full continuum of onsite and community-based programs that address the comprehensive, evolving needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. 

Guest House has been committed to advancing responsive, client-centered solutions to the complex needs of our most at-risk and marginalized community members for more than 40 years by meeting them where they are. With a dedicated staff, outstanding partners, and deeply invested supporters, Guest House of Milwaukee is positioned to affect more substantive and lasting change within the communities we serve than ever before. 

We are laser focused on our vision of a Greater Milwaukee community that ensures care and drives systemic change to overcome the root causes of homelessness.

About the Role

The Director of Pathways to Permanent Housing is responsible for the coordination, planning, implementation and evaluation of services for Pathways program. The Director of Pathways will provide supervision and oversee key functions of the Pathways team. The position will effectively coordinate service delivery for residents among Pathways staff and representatives of external social service organizations specifically Milwaukee County Behavioral Health and Housing Divisions. 

We care about the well-being of our staff by providing:

• 11 paid holidays your birthday paid!
• 3 weeks of vacation with 4 weeks of vacation after 1 year
• Paid mental health days
• Paid sick time
• FREE disability insurance
• FREE life insurance
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• We are an eligible employer for public student loan forgiveness
• Growth & Development opportunities!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct oversight to the Pathways to Permanent Housing team which includes scheduling, mentoring, evaluation and administrative functions including a solid understanding of program budgets.
• Assist the Care Coordinator with high-needs clients, possibly taking on a small case load.
• Work directly with Pathways to Permanent Housing staff to ensure a client centered and collaborative model for delivery of services.
• Ensure that all charts and other records are documented and preserved according to Guest House program standards and funders by facilitating monthly peer chart audits and quarterly chart audits for all team members.
• Ensure a safe, supportive atmosphere with access to high quality services for residents, and crisis intervention as needed.
• Collaborate with facility staff, residents, external care managers, and representatives of the Milwaukee County Housing Division to guide residents in development of practical and interpersonal daily living skills that will prepare them to live independently in the community.
• Build and develop connections with neighborhood communities/organizations to increase awareness and security in the Muskego Way neighborhood.
• Responsible for direct oversight for program budget and MOU’s along with other contracts with external partners.
• Insure the Pathway’s facility is free of health and safety hazards and that all systems are functioning properly.
• Participate in discharge planning and identifying appropriate housing options for residents who are ready to move to independent living.
• Actively facilitate the Pathways to Permanent Housing team meetings.
• Participate in monthly leadership meetings and weekly internal staffing meetings.
• Manage 24-hour call responsibilities and share with other staff, and identify, perform or delegate other duties and tasks that maintain the effective operation of the facility and the services provided in it.
• Develop strategies to improve the overall processes and outcomes for Pathways to Permanent Housing.
• Responsible for program evaluation and development by preparing reports and other outcomes based documents in accordance with funding contracts.
• Other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President of Shelter Programs

Note: While this description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, it is not necessarily exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, efforts, requirements, or expectations of this position. Management reserves the right to revise or amend this description to include or remove tasks as circumstances change and the needs of the organization so dictate.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience of utilizing community services and housing resources.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbal and written. Ability to obtain necessary information for the housing eligibility interview.
• Ability to write professional and technical documents.
• Ability to plan, implement and follow through on projects relating to the position.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Ability to provide case management for eligible targeted population.
• Maintain a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation in compliance with agency requirements.
• Skill and understanding in building management, landlord tenant relations and an understanding
  of housing contracts and leases.
• Understanding of Housing First and issues related to homelessness and mental health.

Training and Experience:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field (a Master’s degree is preferred). Also required are a minimum of two years of supervisory experience, and a minimum of 5 years working with individuals who have a mental illness.
• Ability to plan, implement, participate and follow through on projects relating to the position.
• Excellent leadership and people skills.
• Crisis Prevention and Intervention training.
• Computer proficient-working knowledge of Microsoft programs.
• First Aid training and CPR certification a plus.

Competencies:

• Forward-thinking/Strategic
• Initiative
• Managing change
• Reliability
• Written and verbal communication
• Influencing others
• Results-oriented
• Flexibility

Work Environment

This job description outlines the general nature and essential functions of the role and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Work is performed in a homeless shelter environment, which can be fast-paced and unpredictable. Staff may encounter:

• Individuals experiencing medical, behavioral, substance-use–related, or mental health crises
• Exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and other biohazards consistent with congregate care settings
• The presence of pests (such as bed bugs, lice, or rodents) due to the nature of emergency and transitional housing
• Fluctuating noise or activity levels and occasional disruptive behaviors
• Indoor and outdoor environments, including varying temperatures during support tasks

Essential functions may require standing or walking for extended periods; moving throughout multiple buildings; assisting with client needs; and lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds. Additional safety procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required based on situational risk.

The physical and environmental demands described are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities, provided such accommodations do not remove essential job duties or impose an undue hardship on the organization.