Assistant Site Director

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization's programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Housing Services Overview - a unique opportunity 

Five Keys Housing Services aims to provide a warm, thriving community of support and services tailored to the unique needs of unhoused individuals at our various sites. Our goals are to provide outstanding customer service to our guests, excellent training and support to our staff, and to ensure a safe, welcoming, and clean environment for each of our guests to call home as long as they are with us.  Our housing sites are unique in their approach to our clients, emphasizing low barriers to entry and a flexible approach to rules and requirements.  Our goal is to support people who are often unsuccessful in traditional shelter or housing settings.

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What it’s really like to join our agency…

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We’ve made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams. We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical insurance!  Dental, vision and life insurance premiums paid by Five Keys and various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403b. Generous time off. Annual reimbursement up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation and weight loss programs.  Annual reimbursement up to $50 towards annual athletic event participation and annual massage after 6 months of employment. FREE access to wellness-related apps, Employee Assistance Program and a comprehensive mental health care platform for you and your dependents.

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Site Director position reports to the Director of Housing and is accountable for ensuring smooth daily operations at the shelter, supporting staff performance and development, upholding safety and compliance standards, and fostering a welcoming and respectful environment for all shelter guests and staff

The Assistant Site Director supports Deputy Director, or Director of Housing. This role focuses on implementing policies, supervising frontline staff, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment for residents. The Assistant Site Director handles operational tasks delegated by the Site Director, Deputy Director, or Director of Housing, facilitating efficient shelter management.

We are looking for someone who insists on maintaining a positive attitude and enjoys supporting a diverse group of people. This job is for you if you are a proactive problem-solver, a steady and compassionate leader under pressure, and someone who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on equity and care.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee daily shelter operations, ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Manage staff scheduling, ensuring adequate coverage across all shifts.
• Conduct regular facility inspections to maintain safety and cleanliness standards.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors to address maintenance and supply needs.
• Supervise frontline staff, including Shift Supervisors, Ambassadors, Security, and Janitorial teams.
• Provide training, support, and performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Address staff concerns and mediate conflicts as needed.
• Ensure residents receive appropriate services and support, coordinating with case managers and service providers.
• Respond to resident concerns and grievances, escalating issues to the Site Director, Deputy Director or Director of Housing, when necessary.
• Facilitate resident meetings and engagement activities to promote community within the shelter.
• Maintain accurate records of incidents, resident interactions, and staff activities.
• Assist in preparing reports for internal use and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with HSH regulations and shelter standards.
• Act as the point of contact during emergencies in the absence of the Site Director.
• Implement emergency protocols and coordinate with emergency services as required.
• Provides on-site leadership and oversees the daily operations of the site to ensure smooth, consistent service delivery.
• Oversees daily operations, supervises staff during assigned shifts, ensures guest support needs are met, and monitors expenses to ensure adherence to the established budget.
• Implements and enforces organizational policies on-site and responds to immediate issues or operational needs as they arise.
• Directly supervises shift staff and volunteers, ensuring clear communication, and promotes accountability of all site staff through clear communication, performance expectations, and policy enforcement.
• Actively engages in frequent, hands-on engagement with guests to support a safe and respectful environment and assumes responsibility for responding to complex or high-risk situations as needed.
• Coordinates internally through shift change reports, staff check-ins, and resolution of guest concerns.
• Acts as a first responder to on-site conflicts, utilizing strong de-escalation skills to ensure safety and stability.
• Leads and maintains key documentation, including incident tracking, client intake, and service records, with a focus on accuracy and compliance.
• Executes and implements emergency response procedures and provides on-the-ground support to staff during crises.
• Leads the implementation of program goals, monitors on-site progress, and offers regular feedback to team members.
• Possesses 2–4 years of experience in direct service, site operations, or a related human services setting.
• Holds a degree or equivalent experience; relevant certifications (e.g., crisis intervention, trauma-informed care) are preferred.
• Demonstrates a supportive, adaptable leadership style; remains calm under pressure and thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on role.
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Familiarity with HSH regulations and shelter management practices.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Advanced proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and databases
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and take all precautions when handling sensitive information
• Ability to effectively and efficiently work from home and independently, with high levels of self-accountability 

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field preferred; relevant experience may substitute for education.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in shelter operations or social services, with supervisory experience preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed
• Occasional reaching with hands and arms
• Travel to multiple sites required
• Frequent and prolonged standing, walking, and sitting
• Long periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer station
• Lifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs.; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon: 
Submitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

• Moderate to high noise level
• Work environment varies from site to site
• Some personal safety risk working in high-crisis environments

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency-wide (i.e., charter schools, housing services, programs, transitional employment, nonprofit administration, etc).