Deputy Director of Housing Stability

Statement of Duties  

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Housing Stability, the Deputy Director of Housing Stability is responsible for overseeing contracting, budget and financial management, personnel matters, and data systems; and in collaboration with the core management team, for ensuring the smooth functioning and high quality of OHS client services from referral to case closure, including development, periodic refinement, and staff adherence to OHS policies and procedures, and by providing staff supervision, as needed.As needed and requested by the Director of Housing Stability and/or in the absence of the Director of Housing Stability, the Deputy Director shall represent the OHS in communications with the Mayor and other City Departments, the City Council, State officials, community and external partners, and the public. 

Essential Functions: 

• In collaboration with the City’s SomerStat and IT Departments, maintain and oversee training and use of data systems for collecting, tracking, and reporting on data pertaining to OHS client services, from referral to case closure and outcomes.   
• Oversees contract management in collaboration with the OHS Director and Procurement and Contracting Services Division of the Finance Department and OSPCD Finance Director, including preparation of Requests for Proposal and review of bids; development of contracts including scope of services and reporting requirements; review, tracking, and submission for processing of invoices from contracted vendors; and review of vendor reports and monitoring of contract compliance. 
• Assists the OHS Director and the Program, Policy and Communications Coordinator with new program and policy initiatives as determined by the Director. 
• Assists the OHS Director with budget development, monitoring, and appropriate fiscal management; in the goal-setting that accompanies budget development, and in monitoring OHS progress in achieving targeted performance levels and outcomes. 
• Assists the OHS Director in cultivating and maintaining interdepartmental and external relationships. 
• Attends Departmental, City Council, and public meetings as required by the Mayor and/or staff from the Mayor’s office, the OSPCD Director, or OHS Director. 
• Assists the OHS Director in responding to requests for written information and/or oral, or PowerPoint presentations from the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, other City Departments, and the public, as directed.  
• Attends and presents at community or ward meetings as necessary. 
• Provides direct supervision and evaluation of OHS staff as determined by the OHS Director. 
• Mentors and provides guidance to OHS staff, ensures consistency of departmental operations, and drafts performance plans and performance reviews for staff in collaboration with the OHS Director or their designee.  
• Works with the core management team to create and improve internal procedures for the handling of cases and overall functioning of the office.  
• In the absence of the OHS Director, makes decisions, serves as official signatory and communicates on behalf of the Office of Housing Stability.  
• Other responsibilities as defined by the OHS Director 

Minimum Qualifications  

Education and Experience: Juris Doctor or graduate degree in social work, non-profit management, urban planning or related field is required along with a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in housing, tenant services, social services, or a related field including direct experience with budgeting, fiscal /contract management, staff supervision, data management, and written/oral/media-assisted presentation of information, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Experience working with clients to address their housing needs a plus, but not required. 

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: 

Knowledge
Knowledge, or willingness to acquire such knowledge, of Massachusetts housing law, knowledge of federal, state, and local affordable housing programs and a working understanding of forces leading to displacement of residential tenants. 

Ability
Ability to meet and deal with the public effectively and appropriately; ability to handle problems and emergencies effectively; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to maintain confidential information; ability to deal appropriately with City employees, City officials and members of the general public; ability to handle stressful situations.  

Skill
Excellent organizational skills; strong skills working with software applications including Word, Excel, Google applications, and database software.  

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employees may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.  While some hybrid work will likely be allowed the Deputy Director will need to be in the office for at least a portion of work hours as determined with the Director. 

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.  

Physical Skills

Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.). 

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.  

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.  

Mental Requirements

Ability to handle stressful work situations including overseeing work with members of the public that may have significant mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and the like.  Ability to treat the public and staff with patience and respect and the ability to set boundaries as appropriate to the situation.  

Hours: Full-time
Salary: $ 91,894.85 annualized + benefits
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Exempt
Date Posted: November 19th, 2024

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Please Note: The below details do not apply to any Mayor Student Jobs programs OR youth workers with the city.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union positions vary by contract
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.