City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Homeless Strategy Officer

Under the general direction, this position is responsible for coordinating the City’s homeless response activities among multiple departments to ensure a seamless approach and response.

1. Is responsible for program policy development, planning, initiatives, and implementation with a lens of racial equity and understanding of the current political landscape, and in alignment with the City’s Strategic Direction.
2. Develops short-, mid-, and long-term prioritized implementation plans to address homelessness aligned with other non-profit efforts with roles and responsibilities defined for all community stakeholders.
3. Improves the identification of people experiencing homelessness and collects and analyzes information about their short-term needs.
4. Plans a continuum of service strategy leading to permanent outcomes from homelessness, by engaging and coordinating with internal and external partners, on both local and regional levels.
5. Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with City departments, government entities, non-profit and private sector agencies, community-based groups, human services advocacy groups, service providers, clients, and others to co-create program strategies and garner program support.
6. Leads external engagement activities and serves as the liaison to neighborhoods, civic associations, and Council offices.
7. Represents the City as the lead expert on the City's homelessness strategy and investments.
8. Present programs, initiatives, and direction to the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, community groups, and department directors.
9. Develops and implements a results-based accountability model to support current and future program direction. Determines the metrics that define performance, the gaps that exist at individual program levels, and the collective impact of the services provided across homeless service systems.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities, including selection, training, evaluation, counseling and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of business case development, strategic business planning, reengineering, organizational change strategies, performance measurement, and project management.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of City Council mandates and municipal needs.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to manage and/or develop grant funding opportunities.
• Ability to analyze and resolve irregular events.
• Ability to give public presentations.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to work in partnership with stakeholders and constituents.
• Ability to work with diverse populations, groups, and staff.
• Ability to use critical thinking and apply cultural sensitivity to interactions with the general public.
• Ability to develop strategic direction and program implementation collaboratively with various stakeholder/community groups.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in human services, public administration, business, or related field, plus five (5) years of experience directing human services programs in homelessness, social services, low-income housing and community development, or administration, including at least two (2) years of experience in a management capacity.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-management experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.