Emergency Shelter Associate Director

A Safe Place
Waukegan, IL
Description

Be the Difference. For over 46 years, A Safe Place has been a beacon of hope in Lake County, empowering survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking to rebuild their lives. Join our mission to provide safety, foster independence, and create brighter futures.

As part of our team, you’ll transform lives daily—whether by directly supporting survivors or building the systems that sustain our work. Together, we create a resilient community where every survivor finds hope, safety, and the strength to thrive.

Your Role: Emergency Shelter Associate Director

As an Emergency Shelter Associate Director , you oversee residential shelter operations, ensuring ethical, high-quality services for domestic violence survivors while supervising staff and collaborating with the Chief of Residential Housing and other programs.

Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with CRH and CEO to develop and implement annual departmental goals.
  • Assist in creating shelter programs as a model for client outcomes.
  • Oversee day-to-day shelter operations, delegating tasks to ensure quality services.
  • Build collaborative relationships in the county to meet shelter client needs.
  • Educate clients on legal protections and provide appropriate internal or external referrals.
  • Assist in hiring staff and placing interns and volunteers in appropriate roles.
  • Supervise shelter staff, volunteers, and interns, developing their skills for effective performance.
  • Maintain schedules and approve time-off requests to ensure 24/7 shelter coverage.
  • Monitor and verify shelter time sheets for accuracy and compliance.
  • Conduct client assessments and intake evaluations to create tailored service plans.
  • Review client records to ensure quality care and adherence to best practices.
  • Coordinate and document petty cash, gift cards, bus passes, and client food needs.
  • Advocate for clients with legal, medical, housing, and other necessary services.
  • Interact with clients in community areas, modeling social and daily living skills.
  • Fulfill on-call supervisor responsibilities as scheduled to support shelter operations.
  • Commit to supporting survivors and fostering a violence-free society.
  • Engage clients authentically while maintaining clear boundaries.
  • Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds
  • Align practices with professional ethics, such as the NASW Code of Ethics.
  • Work effectively as part of the team; collaborating effectively across the organization.
  • Actively participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and team activities.
  • Perform other organizational and program-related duties as assigned.
  • Complete IM+CANS certification, 40-hour Domestic Violence, and other required training.

Requirements

What You’ll Bring:

  • Master's degree in social work, counseling, or a related field.
  • Bilingual Spanish fluency is preferred.
  • 3-5 years experience in management, program development, and staff supervision.
  • Familiarity with domestic violence dynamics and survivor challenges.
  • Experience in crisis intervention, case management, or advocacy.
  • Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for effective networking.
  • Strong trauma-informed skills, communication, and conflict-resolution abilities.
  • Ability to educate staff and the public while preparing program status reports.
  • Expertise in planning, developing, and managing both new and existing programs.
  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills to monitor budgets and evaluate outcomes.
  • Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple sites, staffing patterns, and caseloads.
  • Initiative to actively market non-residential victim service programs effectively.
  • Proficiency in managing and completing various tasks efficiently and accurately.
  • Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
  • Familiarity with electronic medical records is a plus.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and active auto insurance are required.

What You’ll Experience

  • Schedule: Monday-Friday
  • Flexibility is required for 24/7 on-call coverage, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support clients and staff.
  • Professional office settings and secure shelters.
  • 60% direct service commitment.
  • Active participation in 70% of staff meetings.
  • Commitment to 2–4-hour shifts for holiday shelter coverage, as needed.
  • Travel may be required for supply pickups, outreach, and training.
  • Occasional lifting to 20 pounds, navigating stairs, or moving across facilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Hourly Rate: $60,000 - $67,000 annually, paid bi-weekly (26 pay periods).
  • Compensation Factors: Based on grant funding, skills, experience, and expertise.
  • Full-Time Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending account (FSA); 401(k); paid time off; Employee Assistance Program; and a company-paid lunch break.
  • Other Roles: While benefits are not included, part-time, intern, and contractor positions offer valuable experience and flexibility.

Why Join Us?

  • Be a part of a mission-driven team transforming lives daily.
  • Contribute to fostering independence and stability for survivors.
  • Gain professional experience in a compassionate, collaborative environment.

Commitment To Inclusion

A Safe Place is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and supports an inclusive work environment.

Take the Next Step.

Join A Safe Place and be the difference in someone’s journey to healing and independence. Apply today and transform lives — including your own.
Posted 2025-08-19

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