Associate Director of PADS AM

Job Title: Associate Director PADS

Ministry: PADS AM & OES

Reports to: Director of PADS AM & OES 

FLSA Status: Salary Exempt

Availability: Full-time 

Posted Date: 08/19/2025

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

At Hesed House, saving the world isn’t a flight of fancy – it drives us in every action we take. We truly believe we are going to end homelessness. For us, serving one’s neighbor – particularly poor, oppressed, marginalized, victimized, disinherited neighbors – is both a calling and an obligation that we tackle head on each and every day.

If you have a passion for serving the most vulnerable, leading without ego, and are committed to building a positive and collaborative work environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

SUMMARY

Hesed House is a faith-based organization serving the homeless and vulnerable, and a national model for ending homelessness with our Comprehensive Resource Center, shelter programs, supportive housing, and more. Our programs serve an average of 1000+ individuals per year. We are open to serve 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our shelters offer meals, clothing, sleeping accommodations, showers and laundry facilities to people in need. In addition, through our case managers, guests have access to general counseling, substance abuse counseling, medical services, legal services, job coaching, rehousing services, and more. Our vision is to end homelessness – one person, one family at a time.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Director of Women's Shelter works closely with the PADS Director and other PADS Associate Directors to oversee the daily operations of the PADS Women's Shelter. The Associate Director position is a working director position.

1. Model, instill in shelter staff, and be accountable for developing and maintaining an overall culture of Hesed and the Hesed House Core Values throughout the Ministry.

2. Lead without ego: lead and work collaboratively with staff, peers, guests, volunteers, community members and partners without ego.

3. Work effectively as part of a team and possess the ability to put aside personal biases and agendas in favor of what is best for Hesed House, our Mission, and our guests.

4. Lead by example: Display appropriate workplace behaviors to staff through personal actions and behaviors. This includes being willing to assist in direct service tasks or cover direct service shifts as needed.

5. Responsible for maintaining the dignity, safety, and security of our guests.

6. Be accountable for shelter staff monitoring our guest’s activities while providing support and encouragement.

7. Coordinate with Food Care Coordinator to ensure meals are prepared and served in a timely manner.

8. Responsible for educating shelter staff on how to model and teach life skills essential to guest’s well-being.

9. Support, educate, and work cooperatively with Ministry volunteers to ensure their ability to serve effectively in the Ministry and understand and share hesed.

10. Assign work responsibilities and other duties fundamental to the upkeep, cleanliness, maintenance and well-being of the organization.

11. Carry out duties and responsibilities in a timely and indiscriminate manner.

12. Responsible for making sound decisions in stressful situations with minimal supervision and coaching and empowering your team to do the same in your absence.

13. Maintain a positive working relationship, alignment, and collaboration with PADS Director and other Associate Directors, even in situations where you may not agree on the decided outcome or course of action.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Accept gift-in-kind donations.

2. Provide assistance to other Hesed Ministries as needed/requested.

3. Attend various Ministry meetings, including program director's meetings and leadership development.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Create a welcoming and open work environment that promotes collaboration, teamwork, personal development, and mutual respect.

2. Establish a work culture that recognizes and values diverse perspectives, encourages open communication, and fosters creativity and innovation.

3. Responsible for reviewing and managing the performance of team members, setting clear goals and expectations, providing feedback and coaching frequently and consistently, recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance, and educating and course-correcting ineffective performance in a timely manner.

4. Accountable for assuring that Shift Leads are assigning appropriate tasks/responsibilities for shifts and Shift Lead coaching and development.

5. Review and approve payroll for direct reports.

6. Responsible for interviewing, training, onboarding, coaching, and scheduling for PADS Shelter. This includes working with Human Resources on boarding new team members and working with the Director of PADS to ensure appropriate scheduling guidelines are being met.

7. Work with Director of PADS, Finance, and HR to develop, oversee, and be accountable for Ministry budget and staffing model.

8. Work with Director of PADS and HR to confer on any disciplinary or coaching action for direct reports. This includes written documentation of coaching sessions to be submitted to HR for employee files.

9. Hold frequent and consistent 1:1 coaching and feedback sessions with all direct reports, as directed by your supervisor.

10. Lead weekly staff meetings for Shelter staff.

11. Meet weekly with other Ministry leadership to ensure alignment.

12. Step in to support staff, volunteers, and guests where needed if there is a vacancy in any area.

13. Provide direction in crisis situations. Empower and train your team to act appropriately in your absence.

14. Ensure shift reports are completed and enter information in SP5, as required.

15. Conduct after-incident reviews with staff and volunteers.

***This list is not all-inclusive and may adjust to fit the constantly changing needs of the shelter.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

1. Subscribe to the Hesed mission: "To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless

and give people the chance to hope again.”

2. Possess "street smarts."

3. Maintain composure, assess and intervene effectively and appropriately in crisis situations.

4. Work with a diverse and significantly complex population.

5. Work collaboratively and effectively with staff, peers, guests, volunteers, community members and partners.

6. Act with compassion and empathy while ensuring shelter policies and procedures are followed.

7. Be self-motivated and provide motivation to others.

8. Demonstrate tact, diplomacy and professional conduct, display a professional image, maintain confidentiality, and do not inappropriately fraternize with guests.

9. Work in a fast paced, sometimes chaotic environment.

10. Have the ability to work flexible hours including nights, holidays and weekends.

11. Must pass DCFS and criminal background checks.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND/OR EXPERIENCE

1. Must believe that everyone deserves dignity.

2. Must possess inherent desire to advocate for and serve the most vulnerable without judgement.

3. Must possess a sense of joy and wonder.

4. Must believe in and model the Hesed House Mission.

5. Must be able to meet the guests “where they are at”.

6. Must possess strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

7. Must be willing to work under Harm Reduction and Housing First principles.

8. Must have good verbal and written communication skills.

9. Must possess developed computer skills.

10. Must have prior experience working with the homeless or vulnerable populations.

11. An understanding of poverty and homelessness preferred.

12. Experience using ServicePoint 5 is preferred.

13. Bilingual Spanish/English is preferred.

14. First Aid and CPR training is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be able to walk up and down stairs continuously.

2. Must be able move light furniture weighing up to 50lbs regularly.

BENEFITS 

1. Retirement plan with organizational match. 

2. Generous PTO, vacation, and holiday policies.

3. Full-time vacation and holiday time.

4. Full-time employees are eligible for health care and dental care in your first full month of employment.

5. Counseling/therapy partnerships and reimbursement. Health and wellness reimbursement.

6. Cell phone reimbursement.