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Program Director

The Program Director (PD) has primary oversight for effective delivery and outcomes of the Next Step Program (Next Step) to program participants. Participants are typically individuals living in or on the edge of poverty, including those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, or underemployment, and an increasing number of returning citizens. Oversight also includes Next Step initiatives, operations, and staff at multiple existing and potential sites in the Washington metropolitan area. As a Management Team member, the PD creates new community partnerships; increases service utilization across sites; ensures delivery of quality services; oversees accurate and complete program data collection, analysis, and reporting; and leads efforts to create additional opportunities for delivering STRIVE, our soft skills employment readiness training, which is both a key component of Next Step and a nationally recognized model. With STRIVE training, SMGW is the Washington area affiliate of STRIVE National, based in New York City. PD and the Executive Director are principal representatives for our affiliation in this regard. The role requires significant collaboration with all members of the Management Team and the Program Committee specifically regarding program data reporting, communication of program opportunities and challenges, policies relating to participants and program operations, and achievement of our Board-approved strategic goals. This position requires significant collaboration with the Volunteer Manager re: volunteer staffing, training and with Executive Director on strategic initiatives.

Who We Are

SMGW is a faith-based, non-profit organization committed to empowering program participants to realize significant and positive life changes. Through a practice of rigorous compassion and coaching, trained Next Step caseworkers, specialists, and instructors, partner with participants who set life goals in the areas of employment, housing, education, health, and benefits. In collaboration with their caseworker, participants then identify the smaller “next steps” required to meet their goal(s). SMGW is comprised of a diverse staff and volunteer team who are also committed to community change through deliberate, ongoing, and collective action to end systemic racism, while seeking equity for all. Though faith based, SMGW welcomes all and has no religious requirements for program participation or employment.

Responsibilities

Programming

  • Leads implementation of new and/or expanding program initiatives in collaboration with Executive Director. Current programming consists of: STRIVE employment readiness training, casework services, burial assistance; individualized job placement support, and adult basic education/GED preparation.
  • Manages day-to-day program operations in multiple sites, including development of program staffing and services in new sites.
  • Maintains standards and procedures for effective casework and training. Performs periodic audits of case notes and other digital reports to assure compliance with program standards.
  • Gathers, prepares, analyzes, and interprets program data to share with Program Team, Management Team, and the Program Committee. Collaborates with Salesforce vendor (CUBE84) to troubleshoot operational and reporting issues. Ensures STRIVE data is successfully transmitted to Apricot, the STRIVE National database from HIRE DC, a Salesforce platform.
  • Prepares written and oral reports for Program Committee and Board Meetings.

Personnel

  • Leads regular Program Team meetings and identifies opportunities for team building, data review, feedback, and strategizing.
  • Provides supervision and support for each program team member. Identifies opportunities for each team member’s professional development. Conducts performance reviews and implements performance improvement plans in consultation with the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO).
  • Serves as primary driver for recruiting, screening, interviewing, and onboarding new Program Team members, including Intern Caseworkers.
  • Interviews and onboards new program volunteers; identifies additional volunteer opportunities and create position descriptions; and plans and implements an annual volunteer training schedule – all in partnership with the Volunteer Manager.

Partnerships

  • Collaborates with Byte Back leadership and our STRIVE trainer to achieve excellence for the existing Byte Back–SMGW program partnership.
  • Establishes and expands relationships with the Montgomery County Court Systems.
  • Provides oversight for all SMGW federal grants (i.e., DC Burial Assistance Program (DC Health), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), DC Department of Employment Services (DOES).
  • Increases SMGW’s presence in the community, including speaking and presentation engagements.
  • Attends Coalition for Non-Profit Housing & Economic Development (CNHED) meetings and other area events to represent and stay abreast of trends and developments in the social service arena.
  • Other duties, as assigned by the Executive Director.

Requirements

  • At least 3 years’ experience leading Program Teams of five or more employees in a nonprofit organization. Greater experience will be valued, along with advanced education, training, and licensure.
  • A bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or a related field is a minimum education requirement. An advanced degree in the field is valued but must come with at least 3 years’ experience managing a team of 5+ (as noted above), including 3 years’ direct service to adult clientele.
  • At least 3 years’ experience entering and analyzing program data in a program database and using it to inform programming among staff. Knowledge of Salesforce platforms is appreciated but not required.
  • Proven analytical, planning, and visioning skills, as well as clear written expression that demonstrates those skills such as what might be embodied in a strategic plan for programming.
  • A portfolio of active relationships with community service providers in the Washington metropolitan area and proven people skills in cultivating and maintaining institutional and individual partnerships for collaborative grass-roots mission and its funding.
  • Demonstrated commitment to achieving socioeconomic parity and racial equity within and beyond one’s own organization. Ability to understand and explain how structural racism has created and sustained inequity in areas of housing, medical and employment for SMGW participants in the area.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook/Word/Excel and program database(s).
  • Ability to regularly travel among SMGW sites and other in-person meetings within the metropolitan area.
  • Be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and its variants.
  • Attend occasional evening events, such as Board meetings and Donor events.
  • Experience working collaboratively and directly with volunteers in the execution of program objectives.
  • Personal experience with churches and other faith-based institutions is preferred, but not required.
  • Availability for handful of weeknight/end meetings/events related to the mission and its governance.

Starting salary for this position is $80,000 – $90,000. Higher compensation within the range values advanced training in the field, notably a master’s degree in social work, as well as direct experience in case management and workforce training, in addition to extensive supervisory experience.  

To apply, send resume and cover letter explaining why you believe in our mission and why you think you might be a match for us and for the position to: The Rev. David B. Wolf, Executive Director, Samaritan Ministry Of Greater Washington, dwolf@samaritanministry.org.