Job Description

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 70 different programs/services at nearly 20 different locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping, and empowering vulnerable individuals, families, and communities toward self-sufficiency.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Regional VP, the Program Manager is responsible for the administration, operation, and compliance of the Housing Navigator Program. This includes establishing and managing Individual Housing Transition Services which is focused on providing support with activities and processes associated with an individual’s preparation for and transition to housing and Individual Housing & Tenancy Sustaining Services which is to support individuals to maintain tenancy. Additionally, the Program Manager will lead and develop activities and training that enhance the skills of Housing Navigator Specialist in coaching participants in acquiring skills to enable them to meet their housing goals. With a person-centered approach in the forefront, the Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the program, must be solutions oriented, resourceful and an advocate for individuals served.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop, lead, and manage Housing Navigator Program.
• Represent LSSSC in community collaborations/network or interagency activities/events and build relationships with surrounding community to increase housing referrals and resources.
• Engage in program development, supervision, and report all program matters to the Regional VP.
• Ensure daily administrative tasks and clerical duties are accomplished in an accurate and timely manner.
• Manage and monitor budget to ensure program is running at its targeted levels.
• Responsible for grant compliance (claims and reports); fulfill program or contract requirements as outlined in the contract or as directed by the Director.
• Oversees Data Base Management Systems and operations.
• Assist all staff in planning, development, monitoring and tracking individualized housing support plans and provide necessary tools/resources to overcome identified barriers to meet individual housing goals and objectives and provide ongoing support to maintain tenancy.
• Provide back-up for program needs in the absence of staff or as directed by the Director.
• Carries a caseload if needed.
• Oversees crisis intervention responses and involves appropriate staff when necessary.
• Complete any incident reports within 24 hours of the incident occurrence.
• Participate in Regional Center meetings and or meetings with Service Coordinators and circle of support as needed.
• Maintain a consistently safe environment for individuals served and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Plans, conducts, and document staff meetings and training sessions.
• Foster positive relationships, serve participants and community with empathy and awareness of appropriate boundaries.
• Assure confidentiality and all HIPAA Privacy Rules for compliance.
• Reviews and adheres to work scope of Housing Navigator program.
• Serve as a member of the management team.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. Ability to manage and deescalate participants needy/aggressive situations; Responds promptly to participants’ needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Inspires respect and trust; Accepts feedback from others; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; Gives appropriate recognition to others; Displays passion and optimism; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision.
• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Ethics - Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Diversity - Experience with and understanding of the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.
• Organizational Support - Ability to comply with all agencies, federal, state and regulatory body employment requirements; Ability to provide the following: valid California driver’s license, Department of Motor Vehicles print out of driving record (must be submitted by date of hire), proof of tuberculosis screening (within one year prior to employment or within seven days of hire), signed criminal record clearance statement (at time of employment).
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The ideal candidate must have experience in the housing and counseling arena, some experience with working in various aspects of the social services arena, and experience in supervising staff. All candidates must complete and pass the Live Scan background check. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements written below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of management experience. Preferred candidate must have previous housing and counseling work experience.

Language Ability: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Supervisory Skills: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work of staff. Assists with hiring employees and conducting performance appraisals.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.