Director of Community Life

I. Position Summary:

Hebrew SeniorLife is contracted to provide enhanced supportive housing with services at the Brookline Housing Authority locations in Coolidge Corner.

The Director of Community Life is responsible for ensuring that the Community Life Department regularly and actively reaches out to each individual resident to engage with them around their health and wellness, identify areas of need/risk and provide intensive, individualized support as needed and desired by the resident.

The Director of Community Life heads the Resident Services Department, which is comprised of Resident Services Coordinators, Wellness Nurse, Fitness Coordinator, and Programming Coordinator. In addition to supporting and supervising the team, the Director is the face of HSL’s partnership with the Brookline Housing Authority—serving as the first point of contact for BHA staff, managing a program budget and ensuring that program metrics are met.

II. Core Competencies:

• Commit to the organization’s core values of respect, dignity and empowerment
• Be able to form trusting relationships with residents, families and team members
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, both within and outside the HSL and BHA continuum
• Listen attentively; speak respectfully; maintain confidentiality; provide an “emotional” connection
• Provide the highest quality of preparation and presentation
• Accept responsibility for all tasks assigned
• Possess strong assessment skills, a clinical lens, an understanding of the dynamics that can occur in senior buildings, and an ability to de-escalate and remain calm in tense situations.

III. Position Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the  Community Life Department
• Supervise and establish team dynamic amongst Resident Services Coordinators, Wellness Nurse, Programming Coordinator, and Fitness Coordinator
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• Support team members with complex resident cases, including behavioral health, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions, etc.
• Provide coverage if staff are out, being available to respond to resident and property management needs as they arise.
• Build a proactive culture among the team, encouraging outreach, collaboration, and follow-through.
• Design, lead and schedule regular interdisciplinary meetings to allow relevant staff to discuss residents’ progress in meeting care needs and wellness goals
• Collaborate with Resident Services Coordinators, Wellness Nurse, Resident Services Coordinator and Programming Coordinator to develop wellness programming and programming activities that suit residents’ interests and needs

• Develop and lead any Coordination of Care meetings—for example with Springwell, PACE, health plans, HSL HomeCare and others to evaluate resident service plans
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• Educate housing staff members including office, maintenance, housekeeping, programming, and dietary staff to identify and communicate concerning changes in residents’ condition
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• Oversee collaboration with Property Management and Facilities staff to ensure residents have the necessary support to maintain a safe living environment in compliance with terms of lease
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• In collaboration with Director of Property Management and Director of Resident Services, develop protocols and procedures for dealing with difficult issues such as lease violations, hoarding, and self-neglect.
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• Responsible for the Community Life budget

• Deliver on program outcomes, ensuring that staff work is documented and that program metrics are met

• Prepare quarterly reports to BHA leadership
• Along with BHA’s Director of Resident Services, serve as liaison with community organizations
• Other duties as assigned by Associate Executive Director.

IV. Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years experience in the healthcare or human services profession
• Master’s degree in Human Services field, Master of Social Work preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong customer service skills
• Must have compassion and desire to work with the elderly
• Ability to embrace diversity and treat all individuals with respect and dignity
• Maintain positive customer relations attitude
• Ability to assume leadership and take initiative in the absence of a manager
• Ability to work with and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
• AASC software experience a plus
• Knowledge of HUD regulations a plus

IV. Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift, push and pull 25 pounds
• Must be able to stand during scheduled work times