The Director of Housing and Human Services (the “Director”) is an appointed position that serves at the pleasure of the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Board of Aldermen. The Director is also accountable to and receives advice and consultation from the City-appointed Boards of Directors of the Frederick Community Action Agency (FCAA) and the independent Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) co-applicant board. In this capacity, the Director provides executive leadership to the Department of Housing and Human Services and is responsible for the strategic planning, organization, operation, and management of multiple department programs and services. In support of the City’s established mission and goals, this position develops and executes strategies to lead City efforts as a welcoming community with increased opportunities for people of all incomes to reside in the City and to provide robust human services outreach to support vulnerable residents. The position is responsible for leading community-based services, ensuring human rights are maintained, maintaining appropriate licensure and accreditation, and identifying, securing, and utilizing funding streams. Department operations include the programs administered by the FCAA, various federal and state grants, including but not limited to the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), and weatherization and energy assistance programs, along with human services outreach programs, the City’s Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit program (MPDU), and various housing and neighborhood programs. The position requires considerable public contact with numerous groups, partner organizations, boards and commissions, non-profit entities, County, State, and Federal departments and officials as well as clients of the above-named programs and citizens of Frederick City and County.

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Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General

- Provides executive leadership and direction to the Housing and Human Services Department. Formulates and directs strategic plans to meet the community’s access to safe, decent, and affordable housing, and multiple human services programs.
- Promotes, encourages, and leads collaborative relationships with public and private partners to align resources and optimize service delivery of the department.
- Effectively engages in workforce planning to provide strategic direction and professional development to Department staff to achieve department objectives and ensure continuity of operations and employee succession.
- Serves as City’s representative and provides presentations to city officials, department staff, members of the public, media representatives, coalitions, committees, boards, commissions, and other various stakeholder groups.
- Prepares budgets, writes grants, and directs fundraising efforts to further support and enhance Department programs.
- Demonstrates sound financial acumen and appropriate accounting practices as the position includes a high level of fiscal responsibility; prepares and oversees department revenue, expenditures, grants management/reporting, federal/state funding dollars, reimbursements, and donation management, etc.
- Ensures all Department programs meet applicable local, state and federal guidelines.
- Demonstrates effective planning, policy development, board management and personnel management skills.
- Conducts ongoing evaluation of Department programs for the purpose of assuring programs operate at maximum effectiveness, efficiency, and address citizen needs.
- Works with program managers and supervisors to develop and write grant requests and project proposals. Seeks alternative sources of funding for program services that align with the Department’s strategic vision.
- Demonstrates skill in interacting with various members of the community such as veterans, low-income, disabled, business, elected officials, and the media, both one on one and in group settings.
- Trains, mentors, and coaches staff in a wide range of community building skills including community organizing, leadership development, consensus development and group dynamics.
- Develops trainings, tools and resources to assist staff with assignments and promote skill development and expansion.

Specific to Human Services

- Increases impact and effectiveness of human service programs/initiatives.
- Provides oversight, program evaluation and budget management for all Human Services programs including but not limited to; outreach services, transportation services, homeless assistance programs, transitional sheltering, job training, community health, homeless health (Continuum of Care), medical assistance, and school-based health, nutrition and energy assistance programs.
- Works with program managers and supervisors to develop and implement program objectives and analyze services and programs. Determines goals, content, staffing needs and budget requirements for new and existing human services programs.
- Prepares and manages Human Services budget and strategic plan. Provides budgeting recommendations and participates in the planning and preparation of the budget for department programs. Authorizes and monitors expenditures to ensure budget limits and guidelines are met.
- Maintains positive relationships with grantor agencies. Has primary responsibility for managing the program(s) to meet contractual guidelines. Oversees the completion of requirements for grants, assuring compliance to meet goals, tracking, and evaluation. Assures need for and timely re-application for continued program funding and submits new applications to grant sources to secure funding for human services efforts.
- Works with partners such as non-profit organizations, anchor institutions, lenders and city and state partners to develop and deploy community resources.
- Assures health center operations meet or exceed standards and serve medically vulnerable residents.
- Pursues funding from foundations and the public to support FCAA operations.
- Maintains effective relations with board members and assures board involvement, training, awareness, and composition in all agency operations as required.

Specific to Housing

- Leads the development and implementation of a citywide housing policy strategy as part of overall housing plan for the City In close collaboration with the Planning
- Department and other City agencies, develops and implements appropriate housing policies, including any necessary code or other legislative changes.
- Develops and implements housing programs to assist vulnerable populations obtain or maintain appropriate housing including oversight of the HUD - Community
- Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).
- Provides oversight to the Weatherization Program.
- Provides oversight to the City’s Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit Program (MPDU).
- Assists in the development of processes that lead to consensus around a vision for a neighborhood and a long-term commitment by stakeholders to implementing that vision.
- Ensures that Housing staff have a thorough understanding of neighborhood real estate markets.
- Ensures that Housing staff have a thorough understanding of public housing, affordable housing, market rate housing and neighborhood retail markets.
- Works with for-profit partners, investors, developers and business to stimulate investment in a full spectrum of housing choices.
- Maintains effective relations with board members and assures board involvement, training, awareness, and composition in all agency operations as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

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Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed 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.

Required education and/or experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of management or supervisory experience in the fields identified above.
• Five (5) or more years of specialized experience in the specific fields noted above may substitute for advanced educational experience.

Required Certificates and/or Licenses

• Valid Maryland Driver’s License or equivalent from other state with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City’s insurance carrier. The license and satisfactory driving record must be maintained during the course of employment.

Other Desirables

• Master’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, public administration, real estate development, urban planning, nonprofit management or a related field.
• Ability to communicate using the Spanish Language and/or American Sign Language.
• Executive/Senior Management experience.
• Certification as a Certified Community Action Professional from the National Association of Community Action Agencies.
• Familiarity with Federally Qualified Health Centers and related grant funding.
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or (LCSW).
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Direct knowledge of Frederick City/County.

‍Required Skills (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.):

• Ability to exercise a high degree of tact, discretion, good judgement, and diplomacy to foster cooperative working relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to align organizational, social and economic justice interests to department programs and service.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local funding sources, philanthropic investment, public-private partnerships, and public administration.
• Ability to effectively lead a large and diverse department with broad programmatic impact.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and an ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to manage complex community and department relationships and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Thorough knowledge of local government organization and operations, roles and relationships of organizational/community partners, and the strategic goals and objectives necessary to achieve City’s goals and vision related to housing and human services.
• Knowledge of HUD funded development regulations.
• Ability to identify and manage multiple funding streams and meet compliance requirements.
• Is able to mediate employment and/or volunteer issues including conflicts and/or complaint.
• Knowledge of state and federal agencies and their interface with local housing and human services programs.
• Understanding of Federal programs (Continuum of Care, etc) related to homelessness.
• Knowledge of research techniques and statistical analysis, ability to effectively engage audience, educate and influence decision makers with presentation abilities.  Ability to discuss complex and at times controversial issues related to human services and housing services and recommend appropriate actions.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer programs including the Microsoft Suite products: 365, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Teams.
• Ability to learn and become proficient in any City, local, federal, and state automated systems required for reporting, budgeting, etc.

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Physical Demands

‍The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent 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 position, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position and/or to move about for long periods of time, and position self to reach items above or below their reach.  

The employee must occasionally ascend and descend levels and/or ladders. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe and inspect items directly in front or to either side of self, to assess items at a distance, to distinguish colors, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  

The employee is subject to the use of Universal Precautions as required by the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan, and to annual Tuberculosis (TB) Testing as required by the Tuberculosis Prevention Plan

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Salary & Benefits

$131,497.00 - $210,395.00 Annually

The City of Frederick offers competitive benefits to eligible employees including a variety of insurance plans and competitive paid leave offerings.  

View a summary of employee benefits.

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Work Environment/Condition

‍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.The employee is exposed periodically to outside weather conditions, but most work is performed in a typical office setting.  

The employee regularly encounters clients who are intoxicated, under the influence of unknown substances, may be affected by communicable diseases, and/or appear affected by serious mental health problems.  Open-toed shoes and sandals are prohibited in the work setting; steel-toed work boots and other personal protective equipment may be required.