Director of Homeless Services – Position
Return to LUM Career Opportunities home page
Lafayette Urban Ministry is currently seeking an experienced and dedicated individual to assume the role of Director of Homeless Services. This leadership position encompasses the oversight of our Emergency Shelter and Winter Warming Station, crucial components of our commitment to providing comprehensive services to those experiencing homelessness.
As a part of the LUM programs team, this position is responsible for collaborative client support & advocacy, strategic program leadership, compassionate staff management, and community engagement focused on cultivating positive relationships and being an enthusiastic ambassador for LUM. The ideal candidate will have earned a Master’s degree in social work, have proven leadership in homeless services, strong communication skills, in-depth knowledge of local resources for the unhoused, and experience working with diverse populations.
Are you ready to lead with purpose? Submit your application today.
Lafayette Urban Ministry is an organization of more than 45 Christian churches that serves as a social safety net for our community’s children and families. For more than 52 years, LUM has worked to give back the hope, the future, and self-respect to low-income people in the Greater Lafayette area. LUM takes an active role in trying to change social injustices and improve the quality of life for the poor of Indiana.
| Position title | Department | Reports to |
| Director – Homeless Services | Homeless Services | Exec. Program Director |
| Employment status | FLSA status | Effective date |
| Full-time, salary. | Exempt | 2/2024 |
Position Summary
The Director of Homeless Services oversees all services and programs for the unhoused, including the Emergency Shelter and Winter Warming Station.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
Shelter Security Staff & Volunteers
- Treat all guests with respect and dignity; offering referrals when necessary; and making sure they understand procedures, guidelines, expectations
- Hire, trains, supervises & coaches Shelter Shift Supervisor, Staff, and volunteers
- Ensure proper paperwork and orientation for all new hires
- Leads monthly Shelter staff meetings
- Keeps Shelter staff informed of changes in policies and procedures
- Reviews Nightly Staff Reports each morning
- Recruits & trains volunteers for overnight and to provide meals & snacks
- Provides online sign up for volunteer shifts & meals
- Ensures Emergency Shelter Handbook is updated, known, and followed
- Assures that meal and morning snack are provided to shelter guests
Guest Support
- Daily intake process: oversees process, meet with guests
- Provide addiction & recovery materials and resources
- Oversees “match program” for guests who have income
- Maintains client confidentiality & accurate client records in the LUM database and the HMIS database
Facility
- Shelter must be clean and orderly at all times using cleaning checklists
- Shelter maintenance needs must be promptly reported
- Linens: coordinates pick-up and delivery
- Purchases: submits requests and purchases supplies as needed
- Communicates with Maintenance Director on ordering cleaning supplies as needed
Budget
- Administers grants including applications, monthly claims and audits
- Oversee budget – timecards, expenses
Minimum Requirements
- General
- Have a strong faith dynamic as expressed by a willingness to accept and support the LUM Mission Statement
- Commitment to self-determination of the poor
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse people and groups
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Able to travel when needed as required by job duties
- Positive attitude
- Able to find balance while maintaining a strong worth ethic
- Specific to this position
- Master of Social Work preferred. Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field required, from an accredited college or university.
- Experience in client relations, program administration and volunteer recruitment and coordination
- Self-directed and able to work without much supervision
- Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work cooperatively with diverse people and groups (church, secular, public, private, low income)
- 2+ years of experience working with the unhoused from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Proficient in data entry, word processing, and spreadsheets
- Fluent in Spanish preferred
Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by
the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related
instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to
give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and
requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals
with disabilities.
To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities
to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct
threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed
in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does
not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
- Most duties are performed in an office environment and require the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to lift and carry parcels, packages and other items. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive to various locations to observe programs.
At Will Employment
Your employment with Lafayette Urban Ministry is on an “at-will” basis. This means your employment may be terminated at any time, with or without notice and with or without cause. Likewise, we respect your right to leave the Organization at any time, with or without notice and with or without cause.
Non Discrimination
Lafayette Urban Ministry does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, political association or belief, or union affiliation or activity, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. LUM is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and guests.
Lafayette Urban Ministry is an equal opportunity employer. LUM will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or parental status.