Director of Continuum of Care Planning
City of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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What we offer
- Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
- Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
- Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
- Benefits - We care about your well-being.
Agency Description
The mission of the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) is to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. OHS works collaboratively with a broad-based network of public and private providers focused on utilizing practices that are informed by data, honor the different perspectives of all stake holders and are trauma-informed. OHS works to maximize resources while monitoring emerging trends, tracking progress and shifting priorities as needed.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Director of Continuum of Care (CoC) Planning is responsible for implementing systems to ensure the agency effectively performs its role as the Collaborative Applicant for the US Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Program; and supporting citywide planning efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
The CoC is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The Director of CoC Planning is responsible for coordination of planning activities outlined in the HUD CoC Program Interim Rule with a primary focus on developing a community-wide plan, the HUD CoC Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), and CoC Governance.
This position supports OHS staff in understanding regulatory requirements for the CoC Program and how they impact systemwide policies, including the local Coordinated Entry System.
The CoC Director of Planning works collaboratively with OHS, community partners and HUD-funded agencies to further the distribution and effective management of federal funds granted by HUD; ensures stakeholders have input on CoC planning and policies.
Essential Functions
- Supervise the program manager who coordinates and supports the required HUD Continuum of Care governance structure to ensure it is functioning effectively to address the needs and the priorities of the CoC, and ensure related Committees are functioning effectively to address the needs and the priorities of the CoC.
- Review and analyze federal and local regulations and priorities; national trends and best practices; and assessment and performance data to design, in partnership with OHS leadership and staff, homeless service providers, and people with lived experience of homelessness, strategies to ensure that Philadelphia’s homeless assistance system is informed and equipped to effectively and efficiently make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Philadelphia.
- Utilize data to develop, implement, and track performance and progress toward goals
- Responsible for ensuring the system process design is continuously assessing the needs, developing priorities, and strategizing how to address them effectively.
- Working closely with a variety of stakeholders, managing the processes to develop, implement, and monitor Philadelphia’s plan and related strategies and action steps to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
- Utilize data analysis to recommend policy and system changes to align with a high-quality, trauma informed, person-centered, efficient homeless assistance system that effectively serves people experiencing homelessness and their unique strengths, needs, and experiences.
- Design and implement workplans, in partnership and collaboration with CoC stakeholders and OHS leadership and staff to meet the timelines and requirements of the annual HUD Continuum of Care Program application process.
- Supervise the program manager, who will work with CoC stakeholders and OHS leadership and staff to design and implement the annual new and renewal project evaluation, rating, ranking, and funding process to secure HUD CoC Program funding for homeless-dedicated projects that align with HUD and local priorities and that advance our CoC’s performance in making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
- Manage the CoC Planning Unit, including supervising two program managers and one youth system coordinator. Ensure team building and staff professional development activities. Develop procedures, tracking, and reporting mechanisms to improve the management functioning of the unit and its contribution to Departmental and CoC-wide goals.
- Identify and establish commitments from community partners and other mainstream service providers to supplement services and housing offered through the CoC to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the homeless assistance system.
- Represent the department at public forums, panels, and other speaking engagements.
- Coordinate community-wide efforts with OHS leadership and staff
- Research and investigate best practices for improvements in system performance, quality, efficiency, and accountability.
- Other duties as required.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
COMPETENCY:
- Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time; Manages project team activities.
- Relationship Management – Develop and maintain harmonious relationships with key stakeholders to ensure positive and productive program/project outcomes.
- Attention to Detail – Directs multiple project details; Develops specific timelines; Drives all entities to project completion; No detail too small to overlook.
- Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates excellent group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Written Communication - Writes clearly, persuasively and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
- Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Principles and practices of project management, public administration, management, and organizational development.
- Principles and techniques for the development of funding requests.
- Principles and techniques for program development and performance measurement.
- Knowledge of federal regulations governing applicable grant programs.
- Ability to co