The City of West Sacramento is seeking its first Director of Homeless Response & Support to lead a newly established department dedicated to reducing and preventing homelessness and addressing its impacts on the community. Reporting to the Assistant City Manager – Community Services, the Director will shape the department from the ground up, setting its direction, building its team, and establishing the programs, partnerships, and performance measures that will define the City’s approach for years to come.
The Director oversees a broad portfolio that includes encampment response, street outreach and engagement, shelter and interim housing, housing navigation and placement, City-owned facilities serving people experiencing homelessness, and related grant-funded programs. The Director serves as the City’s primary liaison with Yolo County Health and Human Services, the regional Continuum of Care, and nonprofit, faith-based, and healthcare partners, and works closely with Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, and Community Development to deliver a unified City response. This is a highly visible role that regularly engages the City Council, residents, businesses, advocates, and the media.
DEFINITION: The Director of Homeless Response & Support plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the programs, services, and operations of the Homeless Response and Support Department, including encampment response and cleanup, maintenance of City-owned facilities that house or serve individuals experiencing homelessness, outreach and engagement, shelter and interim housing, housing navigation and placement, and related grant-funded programs; develops and implements Citywide strategies, policies, and goals to reduce and prevent homelessness and to address its impacts on the community. The Director of Homeless Response & Support is an “at will” position and is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City Manager.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives direction from the Assistant City Manager – Community Services. Exercises direct supervision over management, professional, technical, maintenance, and administrative support staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This is a single-position executive level classification. The Director of Homeless Response & Support is responsible for setting Department direction, developing and carrying out long-range strategies, and aligning the City’s homeless response with regional, state, and federal systems of care. The incumbent exercises a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion in interpreting and applying policy, balancing public health and safety, the needs and rights of individuals experiencing homelessness, and the concerns of residents and businesses.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the programs, services, and operations of the Homeless Response and Support Department; establishes Department goals, objectives, performance measures, and work programs consistent with City Council priorities and City Manager direction.
- Oversees encampment response and resolution activities, including the work of field crews; ensures encampment cleanup, notice, and personal property storage practices comply with applicable laws, court rulings, and City ordinances and policy.
- Oversees the operation, maintenance, safety, and capital needs of City-owned facilities that house or serve individuals experiencing homelessness, including shelters, navigation centers, interim and transitional housing sites, and related properties; coordinates with facility operators and service providers.
- Directs and coordinates street outreach, engagement, and case management services, whether provided by City staff or contracted providers; ensures services are trauma-informed, person-centered, and linked to shelter, behavioral health, medical, and housing resources.
- Directs housing navigation, rapid rehousing, prevention and diversion, and permanent housing placement efforts; works to expand housing opportunities in coordination with the City’s housing and community development functions and regional partners.
- Serves as the City’s primary liaison with Yolo County Health and Human Services, the regional Continuum of Care, neighboring jurisdictions, law enforcement, healthcare and behavioral health systems, nonprofit and faith-based providers, and state and federal agencies; represents the City on regional committees and working groups.
- Coordinates department activities with the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Community Development, the City Attorney’s Office, and other City departments to deliver a unified and consistent City response.
- Prepares, administers, and monitors the department budget; forecasts funding and staffing needs; approves expenditures; and ensures fiscal accountability.
- Identifies, pursues, and manages federal, state, county, and private funding opportunities; oversees grant applications, compliance, expenditure tracking, and reporting.
- Develops, negotiates, and administers contracts and agreements with service providers, facility operators, consultants, and vendors; establishes performance standards and monitors contract compliance and outcomes.
- Directs the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data, including participation in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), coordinated entry, and Point-in-Time Count; uses data to evaluate program effectiveness and inform decision-making.
- Participates in the selection, training, supervision, evaluation and discipline of department staff. Prepares and presents staff reports, policy recommendations, and presentations to the City Council, City Manager, boards, commissions, community groups, and regional bodies.
- Leads community engagement and communication related to homelessness; responds to and resolves sensitive and complex inquiries and complaints from residents, businesses, advocates, and the media; works with the City’s communications staff on public information.
- Monitors legislation, case law, regulations, and best practices related to homelessness, encampments, housing, and behavioral health; evaluates their impact on City operations and recommends policy and program changes.
- Directs or supports department participation in emergency operations, including extreme weather responses, emergency shelter activation, and Citywide emergency events; may serve in an Emergency Operations Center role.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of public administration, including strategic planning, program development and evaluation, budgeting, and organizational management; principles and best practices of homelessness response and prevention, including Housing First, coordinated entry, street outreach, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, emergency shelter, interim and permanent supportive housing, and rapid rehousing; applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court rulings related to homelessness, encampments, the storage and disposal of personal property, fair housing, and the civil rights of individuals experiencing homelessness; federal, state, and county funding sources for homeless services and housing, and grant writing, administration, and compliance practices; contract negotiation, administration, and performance monitoring; the structure and operation of Continuums of Care, HMIS, and county health, behavioral health, and social services systems; principles and practices of employee supervision, including selection, training, work assignment, performance evaluation, and discipline; general principles of facility operations and maintenance and of safe field practices for encampment cleanup; data collection, analysis, and performance measurement methods; principles of effective community engagement, public relations, and crisis communication; emergency management principles as applied to shelter and mass care operations; modern office practices and computer applications, including data and case management systems.
Skill In: Providing strategic leadership and direction to a multi-disciplinary department; developing, implementing, and evaluating programs, policies, and procedures; preparing and administering budgets and managing multiple funding streams; securing and administering grants; negotiating and managing contracts; building and sustaining effective partnerships with government agencies, service providers, community organizations, businesses, and residents; analyzing complex problems, evaluating alternatives, and recommending effective courses of action; exercising sound judgment in politically sensitive, emotionally charged, and emergency situations; supervising, training, motivating, and evaluating staff; communicating clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, including presentations to the City Council and the public; interacting with empathy and professionalism with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or behavioral and mental health challenges; interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and policies; using data to measure outcomes and guide decisions; using standard office software and data management systems.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, social work, public policy, sociology, psychology, or a closely related field. A master’s degree in a related field is desirable.
Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in homeless services, housing, social or human services, public health, or public administration, including at least three (3) years in a management or senior supervisory role with responsibility for programs, staff, budgets, and contracts. Experience working with homeless response systems, encampment response, or shelter operations in a public agency setting is highly desirable.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
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WORKING CONDITIONS: May serve as staff to commissions and will be required to attend off-hour meetings, including City Council meetings.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Mobility to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment, attend off-site meetings, and drive a vehicle to visit various sites; on an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist, and reach while performing office duties; mobility to traverse uneven terrain when visiting encampment and facility sites. Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and supplies and to manipulate both single sheets of paper and large document holders (manuals, binders, etc.); vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech
to communicate in person, before groups, and by telephone; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds such as files, manuals, or small equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS: Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions, with no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances; when in the field, occasional exposure to cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, and biohazards. Employees may interact with upset individuals experiencing homelessness, residents, business owners, advocates, staff, and public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing laws, regulations, departmental and City policies and procedures.
An applicant who qualifies for veterans’ preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans’ preference shall apply and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans’ preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.
An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety. It is the applicant's responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Applications close 11/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific or until 50 are received, whichever comes first.
