The Shelter Director is a senior leadership position responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of Safe Harbor's Residential Support Shelter Program. This role provides clear leadership, accountability, and direction to shelter staff while ensuring program excellence, staff development, survivor safety, and full compliance with all licensing and grant requirements.

The Shelter Director serves as a culture leader, modeling trauma-informed supervision, ethical decision-making, and survivor-centered values, while holding staff accountable to policies, procedures, and professional standards. They must maintain business continuity and demonstrate a strong ability to work in an organizational team environment.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership and Program Oversight

• Provide visionary and operational leadership for the Residential Support Shelter Program, ensuring alignment with Safe Harbor's mission, strategic goals, and funding requirements.
• Set clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability measures for shelter staff and interns.
• Lead program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Make timely, informed decisions in high-risk, high-stress, and crisis-driven environments.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and practices are consistently applied and regularly reviewed for effectiveness and compliance.

Staff Leadership, Supervision, and Accountability

• Supervise and develop shelter staff, interns, and volunteers
• Oversee hiring process, onboarding, training, coaching, performance evaluations, staff retention, and corrective action when necessary.
• Foster a high-performing, ethical, and trauma-informed team culture that prioritizes survivor safety, staff well-being, and professional growth.
• Address staff performance issues promptly and appropriately in collaboration with the Executive Director, HR, and policies.
• Lead by example in professionalism, boundaries, confidentiality, and adherence to organizational values.
• Ensure staff are adequately trained in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, de-escalation, confidentiality, and mandated reporting requirements.

Management, Collaboration, and Decision-Making

• Maintain shelter staffing and on-call schedules to ensure 24/7 coverage and program stability.
• Lead and actively participate in administrative, leadership, case management, and staff meetings.
• Serve as the key decision-maker for shelter operations, risk management, and client safety planning.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director and leadership team to address operational challenges and resource needs.
• Lead Trauma-Informed Care initiatives and participate in cross-departmental committees as assigned.

Client Services and Survivor Safety

• Ensure all shelter services are survivor-centered, voluntary, confidential, and accessible, in compliance with VAWA nondiscrimination and confidentiality standards.
• Oversee complex or high-risk client situations, providing leadership guidance and approval as needed.
• Approve direct client assistance expenditures and ensure equitable, compliant distribution of resources.
• Ensure shelter environments remain safe, clean, and trauma-informed in collaboration with staff.
• Represent Safe Harbor in collaborative relationships with community partners, law enforcement, and service providers, while centering survivor choice and autonomy.
• Provide on-call leadership support as required.

Grant, Contract, and Compliance Leadership

• Serve as the primary shelter program lead for grant and contract compliance.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of all licensing and grant requirements relevant to residential support shelter services.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and ethical data collection, documentation, and reporting.
• Oversee completion of quarterly and annual program reports in coordination with the Development Director.
• Ensure shelter data integrity within all required databases and reporting systems.
• Proactively identify compliance risks and implement corrective actions as needed.

Essential Leadership Competencies and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams with clarity, confidence, and accountability.
• Strong decision-making skills in complex, time-sensitive, and emotionally charged situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including difficult conversations and conflict resolution.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop staff while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, survivor autonomy, and trauma-informed leadership.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and use information to improve program outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Sciences or a related field. (Professional experience may be substituted for education)
• 40-hour Core Advocate Training completed upon hire.
• A minimum of two years of experience in senior leadership.
• A history of strong leadership and organizational management skills
• Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must pass a background investigation check (BCI).
• Required Computer Skills: Google Suite & Microsoft Suite

Desired Qualifications

• Social Service Worker License or higher as recognized by the Division of Public Licensing for the State of Utah.
• Five years of experience in direct social service with knowledge in sexual violence, domestic violence, women's issues, mental health, human and child development, and working with families in crisis.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm, schedule may vary depending on organizational needs. May be required to work outside of these hours, including weekends, nights, and holidays.

About Us:

Safe Harbor is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, supportive services, and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Since our grassroots beginnings in 1994, we have grown to offer comprehensive, trauma-informed services and community education, guided by the belief that everyone has the right to a safe, self-determined life free of violence.

Our work is built on four core pillars:

• Everyone has the right to safety and freedom from violence.
• Violence impacts entire communities, and services must be inclusive.
• Trauma has generational impact, requiring prevention and intervention.
• Domestic and sexual violence are rooted in power and control.

Safe Harbor Crisis Center strives to create a community where violence and abuse are not tolerated. Our prevention and intervention services can help empower each individual to reduce violence in Davis County.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Safe Harbor Crisis Center is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Full-time

Base Pay: From $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person