Basic Function

Under general direction, the Homelessness Response Manager coordinates internal and external efforts related to homelessness and helps develop the most strategic and effective ways to invest City resources towards these efforts; organizes programs and projects in conjunction with government agencies, law enforcement, community stakeholders and non-profit community-based organizations; recommends, promotes and implements the City’s homelessness-related goals, and citywide strategic plan to address homelessness; supports City Council advisory bodies; and may act as a City liaison with external agencies, boards and committees.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Administers and directs city homeless response programs; develops qualitative and quantitative measures to monitor and evaluate response effectiveness.
• Serves as the City's primary project contact and coordinator on homeless issues impacting the city.
• Under general direction:
  • Develops and recommends policy on homelessness; offers recommendations for improvement and change.
  • Provides strategic recommendations and project investment plans to City leaders and staff on City-supported homelessness initiatives.
• Coordinates the provisions of the homelessness services with other private and public sector agencies.
• Provides written analysis, evaluation and recommendations regarding homelessness programs and proposals.
• Identifies and implements strategic, short and long range planning and programmatic frameworks to achieve homelessness response goals.
• Identifies resources needed to implement goals and objectives.
• Conducts field studies which includes observing and assessing homeless situations in the community.
• Provides leadership and serves as a subject area expert on homelessness matters, providing technical advice to other departments and agencies.
• Makes presentations to boards, City Council, commissions the business community and other groups regarding findings and recommendations; may facilitate and represent the City at meetings with members of the business community and the general public.
• Reviews and analyzes complex data; researches, analyzes, interprets, and prepares studies and reports on a variety of data related to homelessness.
• In consultation with the Communications Manager, performs various public relations activities, which may include development of promotional materials and press releases.
• Prepares and recommends project and program budgets and participates in preparation of budgets that support services.
• May serve as staff for, or provide advice to, boards, commissions, and committees.
• Serves as media contact on homelessness for the City.
• Stays abreast of state and federal legislation relating to homelessness funding.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires standing, walking, reaching, kneeling, stooping, bending, and prolonged sitting in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard and picking up supplies. Additionally, the position requires far and near vision during the course of job duties. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. The position works outdoors during site visits, exposure to dust and allergens, unpleasant odors, insects, working on uneven surfaces, use of protective gloves, and interfacing with all facets of the community including those with behavioral health diagnosis including mental illness and substance abuse. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for education and experience and knowledge, skills and abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social or behavioral sciences, community development, business, public administration, or a related field and,

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional program and project management experience in a subject matter, with a preference for three (3) years’ experience working with homelessness issues.

Knowledge:

• The principles and practices of researching and analyzing the economic feasibility of programs and projects.
• The principles, practices and techniques of research and statistical analysis.
• The principles of work plan development and implementation.
• The functions and relationships amongst private, public, and non-profit sector groups that must work together to address issues in a given subject area.
• Relationship amongst and reconciliation of local, State, and federal laws, regulations, and rules pertaining to a subject area.
• Public administration, budgeting principles, public policy analysis.
• Marketing, public information, and promotional techniques.

Abilities:

• View events and possibilities from multiple perspectives, including departmental, Citywide and community.
• Listen and demonstrate effective oral and written communication that is open, honest, clear, respectful and professional; has a good sense of humor.
• Engage all team members to work collaboratively and reliably towards a defined mission, goal or objective.
• Analyze data trends and analysis related to homelessness.
• Demonstrate a broad repertoire of ways to both proactively and reactively assess and decisively address complex ideas, problems, risks and situations.
• Maintain effectiveness and openness in varying work situations where circumstances and priorities are changing.
• Create and sustain positive and respectful working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, business leaders, citizen groups and department managers.
• Consider probable support or opposition to ideas or actions from key stakeholders based on interests and constraints; knows how and when to ask for help.
• Maintain and promote individual and organizational integrity and values in the conduct of all activities.
• Accurately assess organizational issues in relation to homelessness and propose solutions and action plans.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City and County officials and private and public entities.
• Evaluate and recommend changes to policies, practices, and procedures.
• Analyze problems and identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Work effectively with business leaders, financial institutions, citizen groups and department managers who cover a broad range of disciplines.
• Work effectively in time-sensitive situations to meet deadlines; coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks concurrently.
• Exercise sound independent judgment and demonstrate initiative and creativity, with minimal supervision.
• Communicate complex material clearly, logically, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including public presentations to large and small audiences.
• Drive a city vehicle during the course of job duties.

Licenses/Certificates

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in policy development in the public sector, preferably at the City or County level.
• The principles and practices of homeless services strategies, program administration and resources.
• Best practices and community approaches to prevent and end homelessness, including policy development and program management.
• Methods of financing homelessness projects.
• Marketing, public information, and promotional techniques used in homelessness response.
• Economic and social public policy on impacts of homelessness.

Career Ladder

Career Ladder

• 
  City Manager
• Assistant City Manager
• Homelessness Response Manager / Assistant to the City Manager
• Principal Management Analyst
• Management Analyst

Class Detail

Reports to: Assistant City Manager or Deputy City Manager
Supervises: May supervise administrative or clerical staff
Bargaining Unit: Mid-Management Association

Classification No.: 838
Date of Issue: 11/19
Update: 05/21

Tuition Reimbursement