ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW 

Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a dynamic, innovative, and well-respected organization founded in 1980 that transforms the lives of domestic violence survivors and homeless families through safe shelter and comprehensive services; delivers prevention and intervention programs that break cycles of violence and poverty; and actively works for sustainable systemic change.  URI is the oldest licensed provider of domestic violence (DV) shelter and services in New York State, and is the largest provider in the United States of DV shelter services, as well as a leading provider of shelter and services for homeless families. URI has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion among leadership, staff, and clients at residential and nonresidential sites across New York City.  

Urban Resource Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Urban Resource Institute (URI), a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization established in 1980, operates shelter, legal and job training programs for domestic violence victims and residential programs for homeless families. With an $120 million annual budget with nearly 1000 staff, URI promotes safety, justice, health, and independence for vulnerable individuals and families residing in New York City. In 2013, URI launched PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) – New York City’s first-ever co-sheltering program to welcome domestic violence victims and their pets to reside together in shelter. The goal of PALS program is to enable families to stay together and heal together with their pets in URI’s temporary housing facilities, and to promote opportunities for pet-inclusive services for those impacted by domestic violence and housing insecurity.

Under the direction of the AVP of Justice Initiatives, the Director of the People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) Program is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day PALS program operations, continued growth of the program within URI’s residences for survivors of gender-based violence and homeless families, and leading “PALS for All” – a new training and technical assistance initiative that promotes pet-inclusive social services across the country. As a member of URI’s Leadership Team, the Director of the PALS Program will work with program leaders and other staff to develop and manage services that represent the best practices in the intersecting fields of gender-based violence, housing insecurity and animal welfare, leading the field of social service organizations providing pet-inclusive care

Salary: $80,000 - $85,000

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Operations, Leadership & Growth

Provide inclusive leadership and management to PALS program managers, which include the Direct Services and PALS for All areas of the program, by providing comprehensive oversight of the PALS’s operations and creating opportunities for professional growth. Cultivate leadership and professional development for staff. This includes but is not limited to promoting career pathways and promotions within URI, mentorship and internship opportunities, providing strategic direction, and training targets incorporated into individual staffing goals and objectives Partner with the Program Manager of Centralized Intake to incorporate the PALS program into the new centralized intake process for Justice Initiatives Provide guidance and support to program manager in responding to issues related to animal health and welfare, including crisis intervention Ensure compliance with all grant reporting and achievements. Develop and achieve annual department and program-level goals in alignment with the theory of change and logic models as well as funder deliverables and in support of the mission and agency-wide strategic plan. Collaborate closely with other Justice Initiative program leaders and staff along with other departments within URI, namely Domestic Violence Residential and Homeless Families Programs to promote successful intra- and inter-department coordination Work closely with the Associate Vice President of Justice Initiatives to create innovative program development that is aligned with survivor-led, equity-based solutions specifically for underserved communities Assist with the development and implementation of consistent standards, policies and practices regarding client services and other agency protocols.

Fiscal Management & Development

Work collaboratively with the PALS team to monitor budget performance, track progress on budget to actuals in partnership with team members. Participate in fund development activities for the program and collaborate actively with URI’s Development and MarComm as well as Government Affairs Departments. Partner with Finance on budget modifications when needed

Data & Equity Analysis

Train and ensure that PALS staff enter all client data accurately and in a timely manner. Complete KPI dashboard and other key data dashboards as well as monitor for progress including evaluating data to ensure that PALS is serving clients from an equity standpoint. Collaborate with Quality Improvement, Evaluation and Training Team to refine forms and reports within Apricot database to more accurately track and report on PALS’s data and KPIs over time.

Collective Impact & Thought Leadership

Engage with cross-sector partners alongside URI’s Government Affairs team to accomplish bold, equitable solutions to homelessness and domestic and gender-based violence in the NYC community and beyond. Represent the agency on coalitions, taskforces, working groups and committees focused on the intersection of social services and animal welfare. Lead expansion of co-sheltering efforts across NYC emergency, temporary, and permanent supportive housing for survivors of gender-based violence and those experiencing housing insecurity. Participate in regular staff meetings and training seminars to enhance and develop one’s skills. Attend coalitions, taskforces, working groups and committees focused on the intersection of human and animal welfare regularly and take on various leadership roles in support of broader sector goals Other duties as requested based on department, program and/or organizational needs.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

Bachelor’s degree, preferably a Master’s, in social work or a related human services field

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

2+ years’ experience preferably in a domestic and gender-based violence or other related setting with experience working with survivors and with knowledge of case management and client advocacy 2+ years of experience and/or extensive knowledge of animal welfare  2+ years of supervisory experience of direct service staff.  Knowledge of animal behavior and welfare, and resources to support pet guardians in NYC.  Comfort and experience with public speaking and conveying the importance of services that support and sustain the human-animal bond.  Detail oriented and data-minded. Understand how data and outcomes can help tell the story of the work that we are doing to further drive impact  Highly motivated, with proven capacity to work independently, take initiative, and thrive in a high-volume entrepreneurial environment.  Commitment to the vision and mission of Urban Resource Institute.  Demonstrated trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approach when working with survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and in advocating for people and their pets.  Demonstrated sensitivity and experience with and/or knowledge of domestic and gender-based violence within and against disenfranchised communities including individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or HIV-affected, the elderly and individuals with mental health issues. Willingness to travel to residential and community program spaces, and community partner sites across NYC. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and Apricot. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus, but not required.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work location involves regular travel across program sites located in across all five boroughs and Westchester; the PALS Director’s office is located at an office in the Grand Central area The work environment varies given work location but generally is bright and medium in environmental noise, medium in work-pace, and high in work volume and diversity of initiatives/tasks Work schedule includes three days working in the office or across URI program sites and two days working from home; flexibility is required to meet on-site demands throughout the week

Urban Resource Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.