Program Director - SSVF

About Jericho Project Jericho Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been working to end homelessness at its roots since 1983. What began as a Manhattan soup kitchen has grown into a citywide organization serving nearly 3,000 New Yorkers each year - including over 700 veterans, as well as young adults and families, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+.

Jericho provides more than 600 units of supportive housing through seven permanent residences in the Bronx and Harlem, along with scattered-site apartments throughout New York City. Our housing-first model is paired with wraparound services delivered by skilled case managers, licensed mental health clinicians, and workforce development specialists. Together, these services support our four pillars of stability: housing, employment, wellness, and family.

In 2024, Jericho facilitated over 570 housing placements, helped secure nearly 275 job placements, and delivered over 750 therapy sessions through our in-house Jericho Therapy Program. As we move toward expanding our reach by an additional 2,000 units of housing, we remain committed to helping individuals and families build lasting independence and well-being - one person, one home, and one community at a time. About the Position This position will directly oversee case management staff and should have an interdependent approach to human services, veteran and military affairs, team building, clinical work, and casework.

Position: Program Director Location: Manhattan Reports To: Deputy Chief of Housing Access Status: Exempt Compensation: $85,000.00 to $90,000.00 annualized

Responsibilities:Program Leadership and Performance

• Direct day-to-day operations of SSVF rapid rehousing (RRH) and homelessness prevention (HP) services, including service delivery, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Meet the grant’s annual performance targets: serve 437 veteran households, place RRH households in housing within an average of 90 days and exit at least 80% of RRH and 90% of HP households to permanent housing.
• Use program data to track performance, identify gaps early, and lead corrective action.
• Ensure services follow Housing First, progressive engagement, and Rapid Resolution practices.

Compliance and Eligibility

• Ensure the program complies with VA SSVF regulations (38 CFR Part 62), the SSVF Program Guide, the grant agreement, CARF standards, and Jericho policy.
• Ensure each household’s eligibility (veteran status, income within the applicable area median income limit, and housing status) is determined and documented at enrollment and recertified as required. Refer households that are not eligible to appropriate resources.
• Prepare for and lead VA monitoring visits and audits and carry out any corrective action plans.
• Protect participant confidentiality and maintain records in line with VA and agency privacy requirements.

Temporary Financial Assistance and Budget

• Serve as the final reviewer and approver of all Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) requests for veterans and their families. Before approving, confirm that each request is an eligible expense, stays within regulatory limits, is paid directly to a third party, and is supported by required documentation, including rent reasonableness and unit habitability.
• Manage the SSVF budget with the Deputy Chief, Finance team and the Deputy Chief of Quality Assurance & Gov’t contracts, monitoring spending against grant targets.

Data and Reporting

• Ensure accurate, timely HMIS data entry and data quality, including the monthly SSVF data upload to VA.
• Audit electronic case records in AWARDS for complete and timely documentation.
• Oversee all required VA, Continuum of Care, and internal reports, and partner with the Deputy Chief, Housing Access on grant renewal applications.

Staff Leadership

• Directly supervise the SSVF Assistant Directors and lead the SSVF management team.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and train staff, including in Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Housing First.
• Provide clinical consultation and crisis support to staff, and lead case conferences, team meetings, and training.
• Approve timecards and activity logs and ensure the team follows the agency’s time and attendance policy.

Benefits and Income

• With the Assistant Directors, ensure every household is screened for and connected to the benefits it qualifies for, including VA benefits, SSI/SSDI (through SOAR), health insurance, public assistance, and SNAP.
• Partner with the Workforce Opportunities Program Director to help participants increase income through employment.

Partnerships and Subcontractors

• Represent Jericho with the VA (including the SSVF Regional Coordinator and VA medical centers), the NYC Continuum of Care, DHS, HRA, DVS, and other SSVF grantees, and participate in Coordinated Entry, by-name list case conferencing, and One Team efforts.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and compliance with grant requirements.
• Build landlord relationships that expand housing options for participants.
• Partner with the Director, Veteran Outreach to support enrollment targets and community coordination.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the Deputy Chief, Housing Access.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in social work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or a related human services field required. LMSW or LCSW preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in homeless services, housing, mental health, substance use, or trauma-focused settings, including at least 3 years supervising staff.
• Experience managing program budgets, grant compliance, and performance targets.
• Strong leadership, critical thinking, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience with SSVF, HUD-VASH, or other VA- or HUD-funded housing programs.
• Experience working with veterans. Veterans and military family members are encouraged to apply.
• Experience supervising managers.
• Familiarity with HMIS and AWARDS.
• Knowledge of NYC housing resources, including CityFHEPS and Section 8.

ADA Specifications:

This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Ability to travel to various sites. One must possess the ability to speak, hear, see, and write as well as the ability to use a computer and related software programs. Local and/or national travel required and may require some longer weekday/weekend commitments to accomplish related business projects or meet deliverables.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success.

DISCLAIMER This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization. The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.