Listing Summary

The City of Decatur

Has an opening for a Homeless Strategy Manager who will handle the coordination of initiatives around homelessness, housing, and related activities in a public setting for the City of Decatur’s Community and Economic Development department.

Compensation $58,968 to $96,595 DOQ

Position reports to the Assistant City Manager Community and Economic Development

Interested candidates should apply online at https://www.decaturga.com/hr/page/current-job-opportunities

 

Closing Date: September 30, 2024

Homeless Strategy Manager

Regular Full-Time

Decatur, GA, US

Requisition ID: 1501

Apply

Salary Range: $58,968.00 To $96,595.00 (USD) Annually

 

Division: Community and Economic Development Department 

Reports To: Assistant City Manager 

Pay Range: $58,968 to $96,595 DOQ

Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; some weekends, evenings, and holidays will be required as job duties demand.  

SUMMARY:

The Homeless Strategy Manager will be responsible for the planning, development and implementation of data-driven strategies, partnerships and administrative processes focused on ending homelessness for the unhoused population within the City of Decatur.  The Homeless Strategy Manager will work collaboratively with internal staff from all departments as well as multiple external partners including DeKalb County, non-profits, other cities and local businesses to address the complex challenges of homelessness. This position serves on the City’s management team and performance measurement team. 

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Facilitate the development of strategies and work plans related to homelessness that engage all facets of the community and identify solutions that are based in data, research, and best practices. 
• Develop and recommend policies and programs that are proven or have likelihood of success of reducing and/or preventing homelessness through paths to resilience, self-sufficiency, independence and housing.
• Maximize efficient and effective use of city resources within a coordinated and integrated system of services.
• Coordinate the multiple and diverse partners that are needed to provide the complex and tailored services to each unique individual experiencing homelessness.
• Establish accurate systems to log performance metrics of programs and policies.
• Provide leadership to promote overall direction, management, and oversight of the city’s response to homelessness.
• Support the County’s Continuum of Care response.
• Perform an analysis of services and systems available to the unhoused population and identify gaps in the current environment.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of homelessness, related national and regional trends, best and promising practices, emerging innovations, and effective interventions.
• Identify, seek, and acquire funds beyond city’s immediate resources to result in long-term, meaningful impacts on homelessness. 
• Communicate with supervisor, co-workers, elected officials, other government agencies and others as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information and resolve challenges.  
• Pursue program and policy development and implementation with a lens of racial equity and in alignment with the City’s current strategic plan. 
• Apply the City’s decision-making framework as applicable.
• Develop training for staff, residents, volunteers and others that engage with the unhoused population. 
• Recognize the balance of providing services to the unhoused population as well as addressing needs of downtown businesses, residents and visitors. 
• Recognize multiple root causes including mental illness, trauma, family instability, substance use, addiction, job loss, etc.
• Conduct point in time surveys as a tool to improve knowledge and understanding of current state of homelessness within the community.
• Attend community events, City Commission and other public meetings, staff meetings, conferences, and other meetings as directed by the Assistant City Manager.
• Draft and issue letters, memos, and reports, and deliver professional presentations and recommendations at public meetings, as needed.
• Manage relevant City website pages related to homelessness to ensure that information is up to date and is a valuable tool to the community.
• Manage and participate in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for division.
• Continuously review operational procedures and evaluate work performance to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services and activities. 
• Participate in the development and administration of assigned budgets.
• Recruit, train, develop and supervise interns and volunteers as needed.
• Perform any other daily duties as may be required to accomplish Department goals and objectives as assigned by the Assistant City Manager.

 COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Ability to research, analyze, and interpret data and use data to tell a story and solve problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels within the organization.  
• Ability to build relationships through trust, collaboration, and direct communication. 
• Skillful at looking beyond traditional approaches and willing to devise creative and bold solutions. 
• Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse staff to promote trust, collaboration and partnership between departments.
• Excellent writing, public speaking and facilitation skills are vital.  
• Must be comfortable working independently and making recommendations to the Assistant City Manager and City Manager.  
• Proactive and independent with the ability to take initiative.  
• Ability to multi-task and deal with competing priorities effectively. 
• Open to change, abstract concepts and new information and ideas and adaptable to the same. 
• Results Orientation (practical project and time management, sense of urgency, and deadline-driven). 
• Must encourage and foster cooperation and teamwork. 
• Strong budgeting, grant writing and other financial management skills.
• Ability to understand organizational implications of decisions.
• Ability to work with business owners from all economic, cultural, and diverse backgrounds.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, especially in negotiation and problem solving.
• Aptitude and ability to utilize computer resources required by the City including word processing, web-based platforms, spreadsheets, and databases.

 QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, public or business administration, or related field.
• Master’s degree in related field is preferred.
• Requires 3-5 years of experience in local government or related field.
• Experience with coordinating homelessness, housing or related actives preferably in a public setting.
• Must possess a valid Georgia driver’s license (Class C) or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment (or a military waiver). 

Any combination of education and experience to provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. 

 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

The City of Decatur is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels and is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, qualified applicants are considered for employment, and employees are treated during employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status, or veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.