DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago seeks a Director of Family Support Programs to lead the Homeless Division, ensuring effective service delivery and strong staff support. You will oversee program operations, grant development, and partnerships with city departments and community organizations.

You will guide performance management, reporting, and QA initiatives, while directing advisory bodies and coordinating with senior leadership on priorities and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a social science, education, human services, business or public administration field plus 5 years in planning/admin of a social/community program, with 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Master's degree or higher in a related field plus 4 years of planning/admin experience, with 2 years in supervision.
• Associate's degree in related field plus 7 years of planning/admin experience, with 2 years in supervision.
• 9 years of work experience in planning/admin of a social or community service program, with 2 years in supervision.

Responsibilities

• Directs and implements work policies for an assigned unit, integrating into division planning and QA.
• Develops program policies and objectives to standardize and improve service delivery.
• Evaluates delegate agencies, partners and contractors for quality improvement.
• Oversees outreach staff and ensures effective execution of work plans.
• Provides support during encampment cleanings and special projects.
• Participates in hiring and performance evaluation processes for staff.
• Ensures effective communication and teamwork within the unit.
• Prepares statistical and narrative reports for leadership review.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences/Education/Human Services/Business/Public Administration

Master's Degree or higher in related field

Associate's Degree in related field

9+ years experience in planning/administration of social or community service program with supervisory role

Job description

DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Job Number: 417269

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & SUPPORT SERVICES

Bureau/Unit: Homeless Division

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $100,776.00

The Director provides day-to-day leadership and oversight of an assigned unit and/or group of programs, ensuring that services are effectively delivered, staff are supported, and program operations align with departmental and division-wide priorities. The position leads the implementation of policies, procedures, work plans, and continuous quality improvement strategies designed to strengthen service delivery and operational efficiency. On a typical day, the Director works closely with the Senior Director, Project Managers and program staff to monitor operations, address emerging issues, provide guidance, and ensure that teams are meeting established goals and performance expectations. The Director also oversees the work of delegate agencies, community partners, and contractors, reviewing program performance and identifying opportunities to improve outcomes, coordination, and service quality. The Director collaborates regularly with division and departmental leadership on program planning, performance management, reporting, staffing, and operational priorities. This includes reviewing data and narrative reports, participating in planning and assessment activities, supporting grant development, and developing partnerships across City departments and community stakeholders. The position also provides leadership in staff recruitment, performance management, professional development, and team effectiveness; interprets departmental policies and procedures; and facilitates advisory committees and work groups as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Directs and implements work policies and procedures for an assigned unit and/or centers (e.g., community, regional, satellite) ensuring integration into the overall division planning and continuous quality improvement
• Works with the Senior Director to develop program policies and objectives to standardize, coordinate, and improve efficiency of service delivery to clients
• Directs the evaluation of delegate agencies, partners and contractors in all program options/models to ensure continuous quality improvement
• Directly oversees outreach staff and ensures they are executing work plans, performing work operations and providing services to clients
• Provides support and oversight during encampment cleanings and special projects.
• Participates in the hiring and performance evaluation process for subordinate staff and makes recommendations for disciplinary action
• Ensures effective communication and teamwork within assigned unit
• Directs the preparation of statistical and narrative reports and works with the leadership team to ensure integration into overall division continuous quality improvement efforts
• Collaborates with the division's senior leadership team keeping them apprised of unit activities and operations and to ensure division-wide participation in program planning (e.g., self assessment and community assessment processes)
• Assists in the preparation of grant applications and other collaborative activities within assigned unit
• Establishes effective partnerships with other departmental divisions to ensure smooth program administration activities and processes
• Provides interpretive guidance of departmental policies and procedures to staff
• Meets with senior leadership to coordinate comprehensive education and family support services throughout the division
• Directs the development of advisory committees and work groups, as required

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to positions within the class.

LOCATION

Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS)

10 South Kedzie

HOURS:

8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree or higher in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus four (4) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's Degree in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus seven (7) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position
• Nine (9) years of work experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma at the time of processing

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral part of the interview will be selected.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Experience in the field(s) of homeless outreach, service delivery and/or housing
• Work experience within a large complex organization and/or public sector
• Experience establishing effective relationships with city departments with delegate agencies
• Experience in directing unit operations
• Experience developing program policies

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration.

These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor