Program Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Refuge for Women is a non-profit, faith-based organization providing specialized care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation. With multiple locations across the U.S., Refuge for Women offers safe housing, at no charge to the resident, with around-the-clock care as clients progress through evidence-based, trauma-informed programming. The compassionate staff is trained to help residents work through the program to reclaim their identities and reach their goals to overcome addictions, heal from trauma and develop life skills leading to healthy, balanced living and financial independence. Refuge for Women strives to help each woman complete the program with a vision for her future, equipped to succeed and sustain a life marked with dignity and hope.

Refuge for Women is a faith-based organization and it is important for staff to share the same basic values and expectations held by Refuge for Women. We require that all staff are believers in Jesus Christ. Read our Statement of Faith.

Must be able to successfully pass a background check and drug test upon receiving an offer of employment.

To view Refuge for Women's benefits, click HERE.

Position Overview:

The Assistant Program Director reports to the Program Director and assists with all duties related to running the program and day-to-day safe house activities. The APD is expected to lead house operations during temporary absences of the Program Director or when PD is off-site. In addition, this position works closely with residents in providing case management services.

Your team contribution:

This position will cultivate a strong partnership with the Program Director to help create and maintain a consistent, stable and safe environment. The APD will set up and maintain the administrative systems of the home as well as be a point of contact for residents and staff when the PD is not present. 

You’ll be successful if:

You love to be the person that fills in the gaps with administrative processes and procedures. You see the big picture of how the program should run and know how to do the administrative tasks to help keep the house on track. You have strong follow-through. But, you’re not entirely task-focused. You can switch gears and use your administrative gifts to help residents take the necessary steps to meet their goals as well. 

Work with Program Director to:

• Complete administrative duties as assigned including office procedures and filing
• Maintain resident records and all in house documentation
• Assist Program Director with resident intake process and maintain all intake and discharge paperwork
• Uphold program requirements, house schedule and standards of conduct per resident guidelines

• Assist with application and oversee recordkeeping for medical insurance and food stamps
• Assists with making appointments and coordinating transportation for residents
• Oversee all medication needs of residents
• Assist the program director with case management, staff meetings, trainings and development activities as requested
• Lead a trauma-informed care training once a quarter for staff meetings (topics set by PD/APD)
• Help maintain positive, functional working relationships with community, government and referral agencies
• Occasionally oversee house operations when Program Director is off-site and/or out of town
• Be available one weekends per month in an on-call capacity scheduled with the Program Director
• Train and supervise volunteers to assist with day to day administrative needs of the home

Case Management

• Facilitate monthly resident assessments, score and enter life skills surveys into tracking file, enter grant activity data
• Responsible for developing and implementing individual service plans, making community referrals, on-going reassessment of the service plans and follow up. Updates service plans as needed.
• Coordinate all services for each individual client, including advocacy, giving information about community resources, etc.
• Assist with transportation to and from meetings

Skills and Expectations

• Strong written and verbal communications skills including proficiency in MS Office and Google applications

• Ability to adapt to frequently changing priorities and handle crisis situations

• Experience with office administration, identifying resources and service providers in the community
• Strong servant leadership and teamwork skills
• Teachable, self-motivated, organized
• Loving but firm temperament, willing to take initiative in stressful situations

Qualifications

• Proficiency with emergency or crisis procedures
• Knowledge about addict behaviors and trauma is very helpful
• Familiarity with 12-step or similar healing and recovery program (e.g. Celebrate Recovery)
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle safely and confidently at all times of day or night