Volunteers
Ithaca Housing and Shelter Services Director
Job Details
Job Location
Ithaca - ithaca, NY
Position Type
Full Time
Salary Range
$85000.00 - $90000.00 Salary/year
Travel Percentage
Negligible
Job Posting Date(s)
Start Date
08/21/2025
End Date
09/22/2025
Ithaca Housing & Shelter Services Director
About Volunteers of America Upstate New York
Volunteers of America Upstate New York (VOAUPNY) is a human services organization dedicated to helping individuals and families in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through housing, shelter, reentry, and supportive service programs, VOAUPNY empowers the most vulnerable members of our community.
Position Title: Shelter Services Director Ithaca NY
Department: Ithaca Housing
Reports to: Senior Vice President of Operations
Position Summary
TheShelter Services Director Ithaca, NYis responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of VOAUPNYs Ithaca-based emergency shelter services, including theIthaca Code Blue Shelter. This role combines strong program operations oversight with clinical knowledge to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed, and evidence-based services are delivered to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Director supervises shelter staff, ensures compliance with contracts and regulations, coordinates with community partners, and works to improve outcomes for shelter guests.
Key Responsibilities
Manage theday-to-day operations of the Ithaca Shelter and Code Blue Shelter, ensuring safe, clean, and client-centered services.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate shelter staff including program managers, case managers, residential aides, and clinical support staff.
Applyclinical knowledgeto support staff in addressing client needs related to mental health, substance use, trauma, and crisis stabilization.
Ensure program implementation aligns with best practices such as Housing First, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care.
Develop and monitor program budgets; ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as contract and funder requirements.
Oversee data collection, reporting, and evaluation to measure outcomes and demonstrate program impact.
Coordinate with local service providers, law enforcement, and health professionals to connect clients with appropriate community resources.
Maintain strong communication with senior leadership regarding program performance, challenges, and emerging needs.
Participate in on-call rotation to provide leadership during emergencies or after-hours issues.
Qualifications Bachelors degree in human services, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or related field required;masters degree in social work, Counseling, or related clinical field strongly preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in shelter, housing, or human services programs.
Demonstrated clinical knowledge in areas of mental health, substance use disorders, crisis response, and trauma-informed care.
Licensure (LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, or equivalent) preferred.
Strong leadership, supervision, and team-building skills.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with staff, funders, and community partners.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems.
Commitment to VOAUPNYs mission and values.
Benefits Salary range:$85,000 $90,000 annually
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement plan
Paid time off and holidays
Professional development opportunities
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The physical demands and working conditions 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 essential functions. Performing the duties of this job require occasional walking and standing in and around the office. Must be able to occasionally lift loads of 30 pounds without assistance and the ability to sit, talk and hear is required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The majority of essential duties are performed indoors, in a normal office environment. Exposure to fluctuations in temperature, wind and humidity may be evident, and would depend upon travel between facilities. RESPONSIBILITY OF OTHERS The employee has direct supervision of staff. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis. The Volunteers of America of Western New York is an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to perform substance abuse testing as needed.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate shelter staff including program managers, case managers, residential aides, and clinical support staff.
Applyclinical knowledgeto support staff in addressing client needs related to mental health, substance use, trauma, and crisis stabilization.
Ensure program implementation aligns with best practices such as Housing First, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care.
Develop and monitor program budgets; ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as contract and funder requirements.
Oversee data collection, reporting, and evaluation to measure outcomes and demonstrate program impact.
Coordinate with local service providers, law enforcement, and health professionals to connect clients with appropriate community resources.
Maintain strong communication with senior leadership regarding program performance, challenges, and emerging needs.
Participate in on-call rotation to provide leadership during emergencies or after-hours issues.
Qualifications Bachelors degree in human services, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or related field required;masters degree in social work, Counseling, or related clinical field strongly preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in shelter, housing, or human services programs.
Demonstrated clinical knowledge in areas of mental health, substance use disorders, crisis response, and trauma-informed care.
Licensure (LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, or equivalent) preferred.
Strong leadership, supervision, and team-building skills.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with staff, funders, and community partners.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems.
Commitment to VOAUPNYs mission and values.
Benefits Salary range:$85,000 $90,000 annually
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement plan
Paid time off and holidays
Professional development opportunities
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The physical demands and working conditions 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 essential functions. Performing the duties of this job require occasional walking and standing in and around the office. Must be able to occasionally lift loads of 30 pounds without assistance and the ability to sit, talk and hear is required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The majority of essential duties are performed indoors, in a normal office environment. Exposure to fluctuations in temperature, wind and humidity may be evident, and would depend upon travel between facilities. RESPONSIBILITY OF OTHERS The employee has direct supervision of staff. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis. The Volunteers of America of Western New York is an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to perform substance abuse testing as needed.