Description

Director of Community Services

Benefits - Paid time off and sick leave prorated by FTE. 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer match after 90 days of employment. Medical, dental, and vision coverage. 11.5 paid holidays. Employee Assistance Program. On-site fitness center. Discounts on Preschool, After School, and Summer Camp programs.

Reports to – Executive Director

Work environment – 1737 NW 26th Ave. Portland, OR 97210

Position Type

Full-time, Exempt
$39.75 per hour

Not Union Eligible

Cover Letter Requested

Job Overview

The Director of Community Services is a strategic, systems-thinking, and forward-looking leader with a passion for innovation in aging services and a strong commitment to improving the lives of all older adults, with a culturally specific focus on the strengths and challenges of LGBTQ+ older adults. The ideal candidate understands that effective community services require both strong day-to-day management and a broader vision for how programs, partnerships, systems, and communities can work together to create greater access, belonging, and impact.

The Director should have experience supervising staff and volunteers; developing and evaluating programs; managing contracts and budgets; fundraising; building and sustaining community partnerships; ensuring quality assurance and contract compliance; and leading strategic planning and implementation.

As a member of the Friendly House Leadership Team, the Director reports to the Executive Director and provides strategic and operational leadership for Community Services. The position supervises up to eight direct reports across the following service areas:

Elder Pride Services

Provides leadership and oversight of Elder Pride Services, Friendly House's program dedicated to enhancing the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults through advocacy, outreach, health, safety and wellness, community building, and opportunities for connection and belonging. Supports collaboration and mutual support between Elder Pride Services and Senior Program staff. The Director provides supervision, strategic direction, and support to Elder Pride Services staff and works to strengthen Friendly House's role as a leader in culturally responsive and affirming services for LGBTQ+ older adults. Manages the resident services contract for culturally specific services for LGBTQ+ older adults at The Opal Apartments. Supervises and supports engagement and housing stability staff in the building, offsite from Director’s primary location.

 Senior Program

Provides leadership and oversight of Friendly House's Senior Program and associated Aging, Disability & Veterans Services (ADVSD) contracts serving older adults in west Multnomah County, and LGBTQ+ older adults throughout Multnomah County. Responsibilities include oversight of community Focal Point, information & referral/assistance, transportation scheduling and coordination, case management and related services, Oregon Project Independence, OAA, Options Counseling, and other senior services.

The Director works closely with the Executive Director and Finance Director to manage ADVSD contracts, including contract compliance, outcomes, budgets, reporting, quality assurance, and supplemental fundraising.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA)

In partnership with the Executive Director, and members of the Board of Directors, The Director provides organizational leadership to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at Friendly House. Chairs the DEIA Committee and coordinates related projects, initiatives, and organizational improvements.

The Director serves as a resource and thought partner on efforts related to recruiting and retaining staff, volunteers, and participants from historically underserved and underrepresented communities and helps ensure that DEIA principles are integrated into organizational policies, programs, partnerships, and decision-making.

Job Conditions

This position is performed in a supportive, fast-paced office environment, in both ADA-compliant and non-accessible buildings on the FH campus, the Opal Apartments, and in the community. The Community Services office is a shared space divided by partitions, with a central meeting space. 

Friendly House strives to balance flexibility with the safety, accessibility, and needs of staff and participants. Staff will work both on-site and remotely, with the amount of in-person work determined by job functions and responsibilities. This position requires regular participation in meetings and activities at Friendly House, the Opal Apartments, and throughout the community. Onboarding will take place in person. After 90-days, The Director of Community Services and Executive Director may work collaboratively to determine if it is appropriate for The Director to work from home no more than two days per week.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Friendly House Community Services programs.
• Hire, supervise, coach, mentor, evaluate, and support program staff (most of whom are members of ILWU Local 5), and volunteers. 
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and supportive team culture.
• Ensure high-quality, accessible, culturally responsive, and participant-centered service delivery.
• Advocate for older adults, with particular expertise and/or commitment to LGBTQ+ older adults, and promote best practices in aging and social service programming.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve programs and services in response to community needs.
• Monitor program outcomes and use data, participant feedback, and community input to inform program development and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable contracts, regulations, licensing requirements, organizational policies, and funding requirements.
• Coordinate with subcontractors and community partners to ensure effective service delivery and contract compliance.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Finance Director to secure, monitor, administer, and comply with community service contracts.
• Participate in budget development and monitor program budgets, expenditures, and financial performance.
• Support and participate in fundraising efforts, including identifying funding opportunities, developing relationships with funders and donors, and contributing to grant applications and reports as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, funders, service providers, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represent Friendly House in community meetings, coalitions, professional networks, and other external settings.
• Be available to support teams in addressing staffing challenges, complex participant situations, and other emerging issues.
• Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to work alongside program staff and temporarily assume program responsibilities when needed, while balancing these responsibilities with the Director's broader management and leadership duties.
• Provide leadership in organizational DEIA efforts and chair the DEIA Committee.
• Actively work to build and sustain a workplace and service environment grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and systems-level improvements that strengthen Friendly House's impact in the community.
• Support Friendly House's mission of building community, strengthening connections, and ensuring that people have the resources and relationships they need to thrive.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multifaceted organization with diverse programs, perspectives, and stakeholders, balancing competing organizational priorities, program needs, and the often complex or competing needs of participants and community members.
•  Ability to build consensus, communicate clearly, exercise sound judgment, and remain focused on Friendly House's mission when priorities compete.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, public administration, gerontology, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit, social service, aging, healthcare, or community-based programming.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.
• Experience with program development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing contracts, grants, or government-funded programs, including compliance and reporting requirements.
• Experience developing and monitoring program budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with community partners and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and project-management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culturally responsive services.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, identities, ages, abilities, and life experiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, respond to changing circumstances, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality when working with sensitive participant, personnel, and organizational information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with older adults and/or in the aging services field.
• Experience working with LGBTQ+ older adults or other historically underserved communities.
• Knowledge of publicly funded social service systems, especially in Washington and Multnomah Counties.
• Experience managing government contracts and navigating complex compliance requirements.
• Experience supervising unionized staff according to collective bargaining agreements
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, or other nonprofit development activities.
• Experience leading organizational DEIA initiatives or committees.
• Familiarity with systems-level advocacy, community organizing, or coalition-building.
• Knowledge of Multnomah County's aging and social service network.

Interpersonal Contacts

This position interacts regularly with Friendly House staff, volunteers, participants, families and caregivers, board members, funders, government agencies, contractors and subcontractors, community partners, service providers, advocacy organizations, and members of the broader community. The Director must be able to establish trust, communicate effectively, navigate complex or sensitive situations, and build productive relationships across differences in role, perspective, identity, and experience.

The successful candidate will bring curiosity, humility, creativity, innovation, accountability, and a genuine commitment to building stronger communities. They should be comfortable both thinking strategically about the future of community services and rolling up their sleeves to help solve the challenges of today.

 Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

It is the policy of Friendly House to treat all people with dignity and respect. The agency prohibits discrimination based upon race, sex, religion, color, gender identity, age, national origin, marital or familial status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military service, veteran status, housing status, source of income, political affiliation, union affiliation, physical or mental disability or other protected status in accordance with applicable law. In addition, we shall not discriminate against minority-owned, women-owned or emerging small business.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, public administration, gerontology, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit, social service, aging, healthcare, or community-based programming.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.
• Experience with program development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing contracts, grants, or government-funded programs, including compliance and reporting requirements.
• Experience developing and monitoring program budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with community partners and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and project-management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culturally responsive services.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, identities, ages, abilities, and life experiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, respond to changing circumstances, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality when working with sensitive participant, personnel, and organizational information.