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.

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.