Employment Opportunities
Deputy Director
Re-Posted: January 04, 2023
Estimated Start Date: February 13, 2023 or sooner
Vision: Our vision is one of vibrant communities where everyone has a safe and healthy home they can afford, so that they have hope for a better future
Mission: We believe everyone needs a home to be successful. Therefore, it is our mission to create and maintain safe, healthy, and affordable rental homes for those who need them most.
Since 1990, Homes First has successfully created affordable rental housing in Thurston and Mason Counties, WA. In over 32 years, we have helped close to 5,000 low and very low income community members find safe, clean, and affordable rental housing with a landlord who treats them with dignity and respect.
Income from rents and fundraising goes to maintain the housing, provide staff oversight, and help fund future affordable housing projects.
Our strength is in our partnerships. We work together with local service providers to ensure our tenants receive the support they need to be successful. We meet our tenants where they are and help them have the financial and emotional space they need to define for themselves what success may look like.
Our business is not all about homes though. Our mission is about people and making the South Puget Sound region a great place to work for everyone. Although we own homes, it is people we truly serve. We need to be prepared to meet the ever growing demand for affordable rental housing. This is not a speculative enterprise but a demand driven response to the need that is shown by state and local entities who track requests for housing. It is also driven by the over 900 requests for housing that Homes First must turn away every year due to lack of available units.
No other nonprofit organization in our region does what we do. Rather than allowing our mission to creep beyond the original intention of the founders - to provide and support affordable rental housing - we have partnered with other organizations that complement our programs.
Supportive housing is a combination of housing and services intended as a cost-effective way to help people live more stable, productive lives. It is widely shown to work well for those who face the most complex challenges—individuals and families confronted with homelessness who also have very low incomes and/or serious, persistent issues and serious challenges to a successful life.
Homes First has been experiencing rapid growth as we build upon our existing community housing assets. Every year, our objective is to make a significant contribution to our region’s basic needs for affordable rental homes.
Our Homes:
We currently have 51 properties serving almost 300 people a year. We are currently in the process of adding nine more properties to our portfolio and expect to continue this pattern of growth in the coming years.
We provide rentals in single family homes and small multiplex properties, plus shared living for people in recovery, adults with developmental disabilities, youth, veterans, people in court diversion programs, and people exiting Western State Hospital. All shared housing is provided in partnership with local service providers who add case management services for permanent supportive housing.
We acquire new units with financial support from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, our local cities and counties, individual donors and mortgages from Oly Fed Bank. Rental and fundraising income helps us maintain the homes forever.
The Position/Your Role:
Working from our office in Lacey, WA, the Deputy Director reports to and works collaboratively with the CEO to lead Homes First. Specifically, the Deputy Director will focus on operations while learning the intricacies of the Homes First model. The Deputy ensures that Homes First’s operational, human resources, technology, and programmatic strategies are effectively implemented across all segments of the organization. The position’s current direct reports are the Director of People and Culture and the Director of Programs and Assets.
The Deputy’s attentions are primarily focused on supporting and strengthening the programs, the people, and the growth opportunities of the organization while pursuing longer term strategic initiatives and cultivating internal and external stakeholder relationships. Additionally, the Deputy significantly influences the operating tone and culture for the agency.
The position is accountable for an organization with an annual operating budget of $1.5 million and a staff of 10 people. The Deputy will be the designee for the CEO as required.
Leadership Abilities:
Candidates will be evaluated on the full range of their lived and learned experience, professional background, volunteer experience, and direct and transferable skills. Homes First is seeking candidates with a compelling combination of demonstrated experience and skills in some, or all, of the following areas:
-
Mid-career professional with successful executive level experience strongly preferred. Experience serving as a Deputy or Executive, COO, CAO, CFO, or similar role(s), or as a senior staff member of an organization, division, or department of comparable size.
-
Prior experience in affordable housing and real estate finance and development is strongly preferred.
-
Broad understanding of all aspects of running non-profit organizations (board development, finances/budgeting, operations, information technology, human resources and supervision, and facilities management).
-
Exposure to social sector or nonprofit services, business operations, public sector operations, housing development, homeless services, economic mobility, or human services – which may come from board, volunteer, or staff service – is required for success in this role.
-
You will bring your business sense along with compassion for people to our organization.
Total Compensation & Benefits:
The annual Starting Salary Range (D.O.E.): $65,000-$72,000 Full Range: $65,000 - $85,000
Homes First is committed to supporting all employees through internally and externally equitable salary and benefits, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and training and professional development opportunities.
The comprehensive benefits package includes:
-
Medical, dental, and vision benefits (annual premium paid 100% by employer)
-
403(b) Retirement plan with 3% employer match
-
Generous paid time off for vacation, sick, and floating holiday time
-
Merit-driven recognition and performance management program
-
Flexible work hours
-
Professional development and training
-
Dependent medical, dental, and vision benefits available at employee expense
Signing Bonus of $500 paid after 90 days of satisfactory employment. An added $500 for those who can communicate effectively in the Spanish language (spoken and written)
Homes First’s Commitment to Diversity and Equity:
We are earnestly invested in dismantling the effects of systemic racism in our community. We are looking for people who are passionate about serving others: dedicated professionals to assist in fulfilling our mission and advancing our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We embrace and practice a high standard of diversity and inclusion and strive for equity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex, age, status in regard to public assistance, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.
To Be Considered:
The position is open until filled, with a priority application review deadline of January 15, 2023.
Candidate materials are reviewed on an on-going basis and initial interviews will begin by late January. Please complete the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire using the link below.
You may direct questions to jobs@homesfirst.org
***No agencies; No walk-ins; No phone calls please. Qualified applicants will be contacted after the completed questionnaire is reviewed.