Interim Assistant Program Manager

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary 

Interim Housing programs provide critical support for people in need, and the work is fast-paced and important. The Assistant Program Manager helps ensure the program runs smoothly every day, making sure operations are consistent and reliable.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Assistant Program Manager oversees staff, ensures rules and contracts are followed, maintains safety and site standards, and takes the lead when the Program Manager is away. This role requires balancing both operational and personnel responsibilities — managing records, compliance, and safety while also supporting staff and participants through challenging situations.

The Assistant Program Manager plays a key role in making sure the program reflects Hope the Mission’s commitment to trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and Housing First principles across every shift, in every interaction, and in decisions.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

Program Operations Support

• Support program leadership in maintaining operations, documentation, and compliance.

• Assist the Program Manager in monitoring program goals and performance targets.

• Review program logs, records, and participant files to ensure complete documentation.

• Notify the Program Manager of missing documentation or compliance concerns.

• Maintain participant files, exit documentation, and required reports.

• Support follow-up on incident reports and participant grievances.

• Track and update required compliance documentation, including monthly OSHA forms.

Staff and Training Support

• Provide support to staff by reinforcing program expectations and assisting with training.

• Provide day-to-day guidance and support to staff as directed by program leadership.

• Assist in coordinating and participating in staff training sessions.

• Help orient staff on program procedures, safety protocols, and use of security systems.

• Monitor shift reports and share concerns with the Program Manager.

Participant Support

• Assist staff in providing services and responding to participant needs.

• Assist with addressing participant concerns, conflicts, and complaints using de-escalation techniques.

• Model Housing First, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care practices with participant care; Ensure staff’s adoption and practice.

• Help coordinate referrals to outside services, including emergency support resources when needed.
  
  

Facility and Safety Support

• Assist with maintaining a safe, clean, and functional facility.

• Conduct routine checks of bathrooms, common areas, and participant living spaces to ensure safe and sanitary conditions.

• Report maintenance issues or safety concerns to the Program Manager.

• Monitor medication storage areas and review logs.

• Assist with coordinating monthly safety and fire drills.

Supplies and Site Operations

• Assist with maintaining program supplies and supporting daily site operations.

• Track program supply inventory and submit supply requests when needed.

• Assist with organizing linen, clothing, and supply storage areas.

• Support coordination of resident chores and site upkeep.

Community and Program Coordination

• Assist with coordination and communication with community partners.

• Maintain communication with service providers and community partners as directed.

• Attend meetings, case conferences, trainings, and community meetings as requested.

Secondary Duties

• Assist with shift coverage when staffing shortages occur.

• Support program events, volunteer activities, or fundraising efforts when requested.

• Work with security personnel to support a safe environment for participants and staff.

• Follow organizational policies regarding attendance, professional conduct, and departmental policies.

• Perform other program and site related duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to addressing homelessness and related systemic issues, including poverty, housing instability, and access to services.

• Ability to lead with integrity and uphold organizational mission, values, and service philosophy.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage participants, staff, and community partners.

• Working knowledge of evidence-based service delivery models, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Trauma-Informed Care.

• Effective staff supervision, coaching, and performance management skills.

• Knowledge of supportive services program development and implementation within human services environments.

• Ability to cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with community-based organizations and external service providers. Strong Interpersonal Skills.

• Strong understanding of contract compliance, program accountability, and outcomes measurement practices.

• Strong Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Resilience, and sensitivity towards individuals experiencing hardship.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or closely related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

• Two to three years of housing and homelessness program-related experience.

• Two years of supervisory or management-level experience

• Computer and digital literacy - Microsoft Office Suite, HMIS, preferred. 

• Spanish preferred but not required.

Mandatory Requirements

• Background Screening – Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of  background checks as required per worksite.

• Drug and Alcohol Testing – Candidates must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.

• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check – For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record (meeting criteria of HTM’s commercial insurance), a CA drivers license, and proof of vehicle insurance coverage.

• Legal Eligibility to Work – Maintain proof of legal authorization to work in the US.

• Compliance with Company Policies and HIPAA standards – All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.

• Must have reliable transportation.

Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is required to: walk and climb stairs; stand, bend,  squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as  files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; reach with  hands and arms; be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; repeat various motions with  the wrists, hands, and fingers; be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative  and clerical tasks; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.; communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of  the spoken and written word; drive vehicles in and around Los Angeles County; be able to enter various buildings  that may require climbing stairs; be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. The employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; use a desktop and/or laptop computer; various office machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing. 

Work Environment

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the participants’ use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis 

situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure or in crisis intervention. 

EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HTM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

HTM will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HTM is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.