Program Director of Health and Safety Advocacy

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Program Director of Health and Safety Advocacy leads three programs within YWCA’s Health and Safety area: Community Advocacy, Health Access, and BABES. The position oversees approximately 20 staff members through five direct reports: the Community Advocate Supervisor, Health Access Supervisor, and three BABES staff members.

The Program Director provides leadership, operational oversight, and support across services in King and Snohomish Counties. This includes developing supervisors, maintaining service quality, overseeing budgets and contract compliance, and ensuring staff have the resources and direction needed to serve participants effectively.

Working with other Health and Safety leaders, the Program Director strengthens connections among advocacy, health access, housing, legal services, and broader community resources. The position supports coordinated services that reflect participant goals, readiness, safety, and access needs.

LOCATION AND WORK EXPECTATION

The designated home office may be any relevant YWCA site in King or Snohomish County. This position works in person at YWCA sites and in the community, with regular local travel and a consistent presence across relevant staff locations, including Seattle, Renton, Kent, Everett, and Lynnwood. Hybrid and remote work are not available for this position.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Program Leadership and Coordination

Lead Community Advocacy, Health Access, and BABES, establishing clear priorities and consistent expectations across programs and locations.

Translate organizational goals and funding commitments into practical staffing and service plans.

Monitor service capacity, participant access, and operational needs, addressing concerns with supervisors and leadership.

Guide program expansion and changes in service delivery, including staffing, workflows, and site readiness.

Maintain program procedures that support culturally relevant, trauma informed, participant centered services.

Staff Leadership and Development

Lead and develop the Community Advocate Supervisor, Health Access Supervisor, and BABES staff through regular individual meetings, coaching, and performance feedback.

Support supervisors in managing performance, workloads, coverage, and complex participant concerns.

Oversee hiring, onboarding, evaluations, and employment action in partnership with Human Resources.

Review and approve direct reports’ timesheets and time off requests.

Promote staff development, accountability, healthy boundaries, and practices that address secondary trauma.

Coordinate shared training and opportunities for collaboration across the three programs.

Service Quality and Participant Experience

Establish clear referral pathways and warm handoffs across advocacy, health access, housing, and legal services.

Strengthen connections to employment, financial education, and children’s services.

Ensure coordination respects participant choice, protects confidentiality, and reduces unnecessary repetition of personal experiences.

Support supervisors with serious participant complaints, safety concerns, and situations requiring decisions beyond their authority.

Use participant feedback and service information to improve access, responsiveness, and equitable outcomes.

Monitor progress toward participant goals and sustained stability alongside service counts.

Budget and Resource Management

Develop and monitor program budgets with Finance and organizational leadership.

Review staffing costs, program spending, participant assistance, and resource needs against approved budgets.

Oversee approval practices for hotel placements, flexible assistance, and other program expenditures.

Address spending concerns and recommend adjustments within funding requirements and delegated authority.

Ensure financial documentation and approvals are complete and timely.

Contract Compliance and Accountability

Oversee fulfillment of grant and contract requirements across assigned programs.

Ensure supervisors maintain consistent file review practices, accurate documentation, and ongoing audit readiness.

Review required reports, service data, and program narratives for accuracy and timely submission.

Coordinate funder monitoring visits, audits, and responses to findings with relevant staff.

Ensure staff follow applicable privacy, confidentiality, consent, and information sharing requirements.

Identify compliance concerns and implement corrective actions with appropriate organizational partners.

Partnerships and Sustainable Services

Maintain relationships with funders, community organizations, healthcare partners, and other service providers.

Collaborate with housing and legal services leaders to resolve barriers and strengthen coordinated support.

Work with the Director of GBVSS Strategic Partnerships and Funding Development to identify service needs and provide information supporting sustainable funding.

Contribute program expertise, outcome information, and operational input to funding proposals and partnership planning.

Represent assigned programs in relevant community and organizational meetings.

Race and Social Justice

Apply YWCA’s Race and Social Justice principles to staffing, supervision, resource decisions, and service delivery.

Identify barriers affecting Black and African American participants and other communities furthest from opportunity.

Support culturally responsive practices and an inclusive environment for participants and staff.

Review differences in service access and outcomes and lead practical improvements.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

At least five (5) years of relevant experience in Gender Based Violence advocacy, community health, or related program delivery.

At least three (3) years of program leadership experience, including staff development, operational coordination, and performance accountability. Experience requirements may overlap.

Experience overseeing program requirements, service quality, documentation, and reporting.

Working knowledge of budgets, grant funded services, and contract compliance.

Understanding of trauma informed services, participant choice, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.

Ability to support supervisors, address complex concerns, and make sound decisions across multiple programs and locations.

Demonstrated commitment to antiracism, cultural humility, and equitable services.

Strong communication, organizational, relationship building, and problem solving skills.

Ability to use service data and participant feedback to guide improvements.

Proficiency with common office software, electronic records, and reporting systems.

Ability to travel regularly and maintain an in person presence across relevant sites in King and Snohomish Counties.

Relevant combinations of education, training, and professional or community leadership experience will be considered. A bachelor’s degree in human services, public health, social work, or a related field is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this position, the employee:

All positions at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients.

Regularly work in office and community settings, including YWCA service locations, college campuses, hotels, and partner organizations.

Travel locally between staff and service locations throughout King and Snohomish Counties, sometimes visiting multiple locations within a workday.

Regularly communicate with advocates, participants, colleagues, and community partners in person, by telephone, and through electronic platforms.

Frequently use a computer and other office technology to review client files, prepare documentation, approve timesheets, and participate in meetings.

Perform work involving periods of sitting, standing, or moving within offices and community locations, with flexibility in positioning as duties allow.

Occasionally transport routine work materials, such as a laptop, files, and outreach supplies.

Respond to emotionally intense situations and participant crises using sound judgment, de-escalation skills, and established safety procedures.

This position involves exposure to accounts of domestic violence, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation, and other traumatic experiences. Regular supervision, consultation, and available staff support resources are important components of the work environment.

*Continuously = Over 80% of the time | Frequently = 20–80% | Occasionally = Under 20%