DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Description:

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & SUPPORT SERVICES

Bureau/Unit: Homeless Division

Number of Positions: 1

( Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $100,776.00

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm on 10/27/2026

The Director provides day-to-day leadership and oversight of an assigned unit and/or group of programs, ensuring that services are effectively delivered, staff are supported, and program operations align with departmental and division-wide priorities. The position leads the implementation of policies, procedures, work plans, and continuous quality improvement strategies designed to strengthen service delivery and operational efficiency. On a typical day, the Director works closely with the Senior Director, Project Managers and program staff to monitor operations, address emerging issues, provide guidance, and ensure that teams are meeting established goals and performance expectations. The Director also oversees the work of delegate agencies, community partners, and contractors, reviewing program performance and identifying opportunities to improve outcomes, coordination, and service quality. The Director collaborates regularly with division and departmental leadership on program planning, performance management, reporting, staffing, and operational priorities. This includes reviewing data and narrative reports, participating in planning and assessment activities, supporting grant development, and developing partnerships across City departments and community stakeholders. The position also provides leadership in staff recruitment, performance management, professional development, and team effectiveness; interprets departmental policies and procedures; and facilitates advisory committees and work groups as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Directs and implements work policies and procedures for an assigned unit and/or centers (e.g., community, regional, satellite) ensuring integration into the overall division planning and continuous quality improvement

• Works with the Senior Director to develop program policies and objectives to standardize, coordinate, and improve efficiency of service delivery to clients

• Directs the evaluation of delegate agencies, partners and contractors in all program options/models to ensure continuous quality improvement

• Directly oversees outreach staff and ensures they are executing work plans, performing work operations and providing services to clients

• Provides support and oversight during encampment cleanings and special projects.

• Participates in the hiring and performance evaluation process for subordinate staff and makes recommendations for disciplinary action

• Ensures effective communication and teamwork within assigned unit

• Directs the preparation of statistical and narrative reports and works with the leadership team to ensure integration into overall division continuous quality improvement efforts

• Collaborates with the division’s senior leadership team keeping them apprised of unit activities and operations and to ensure division-wide participation in program planning (e.g., self assessment and community assessment processes)

• Assists in the preparation of grant applications and other collaborative activities within assigned unit

• Establishes effective partnerships with other departmental divisions to ensure smooth program administration activities and processes

• Provides interpretive guidance of departmental policies and procedures to staff

• Meets with senior leadership to coordinate comprehensive education and family support services throughout the division

• Directs the development of advisory committees and work groups, as required

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to positions within the class.

LOCATION : Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS)

10 South Kedzie

HOURS: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree or higher in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus four (4) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR

• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate’s Degree in the Social Sciences, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus seven (7) years of experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

• Nine (9) years of work experience in the planning and administration of a social or community service program, of which two (2) years are in a management/supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma at the time of processing

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral part of the interview will be selected.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Experience in the field(s) of homeless outreach, service delivery and/or housing

• Work experience within a large complex organization and/or public sector

• Experience establishing effective relationships with city departments with delegate agencies

• Experience in directing unit operations

• Experience developing program policies

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp\_info/JobClassification/2025\_Classification\_and\_Pay\_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here. (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/provdrs/emp.html)

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor