Executive Director
Mission / Values / Organization
JOIN supports the efforts of individuals and families experiencing houselessness to transition into permanent housing. Our efforts are directed at individuals sleeping outside or in their car in the Portland Metro area. Founded in 1992, we are inspired by the vision of a community where everyone has a place to call home.
JOIN has a budget of $12 million and 55 staff members (55 FTE).
Values and Principles
- JOIN is striving to become an anti-racist organization – because we are building toward a future that is inclusive and equitable.
- JOIN is a partner – because we trust people to be the primary agents of change in their own lives. We reflect strengths and walk alongside people on their journey to stability.
- JOIN is centered in relationships – because we believe in community.
- JOIN is creative to conquer complexity – because the complex issues surrounding houselessness require innovation and flexibility.
- JOIN is ever-evolving, living and organic – because we are all continuously learning and growing.
JOIN has an organizational commitment to equity and inclusion, and to ensure that programs and staff culture are equitable in both access, experience, and outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, culture, language, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, or family status. JOIN is committed to pursuing effective strategies and devoting dedicated time and resources at every level of the organization to address disparities based on identity and to apply an equity lens to all decisions, programs, and policies in furthering JOIN’s commitment to become an anti-racist organization, including dismantling white supremacy culture.
Recent Achievements
- JOIN provided over $3 million in rental assistance, helping 557 households avoid falling behind on payments and remaining in safe, stable housing.
- JOIN placed 215 households into safe, permanent housing.
- The racial and ethnic breakdown revealed that of the total people housed, 36.3% were Black/African American, 34.9% were White, 11.3% were Latino/Hispanic, 9% were Native American, 6% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 1% were Asian/Asian American.
- 83% of the households we helped into housing retained their housing for at least 12 months.
- JOIN’s Day Space and Retention Team in partnership with Feed the Mass fed 2,025 people from March to December.
- JOIN’s Day Space team handed out over 1,200 masks, hand sanitizers, and PPE to our neighbors in need.
- JOIN’s Day Space provided mail services to an average of 130 individuals annually.
- JOIN’s various family support programs distributed nearly 2,000 diapers throughout the year.
- JOIN’s Landlord Retention and Recruitment Team provided training on the evolving legislation around tenant support and eviction moratorium to more than 500 landlords, service providers, and housing advocates.
The Opportunity
As a visionary and strategic leader of this innovative housing justice organization, you will ensure that JOIN continues to provide progressive, trauma-informed, evidence-based housing services. You will work collaboratively with a fiercely dedicated group of staff and board members. You’ll also work with a wide variety of cultural and multi-lingual communities and partner organizations. Staff, board, and Community Advisory Council members (comprised of people with lived experience with houselessness) will ask you to focus on these areas:
- Racial justice, equity, and inclusion—grounded in the principles of liberation.
- Strategic visioning and planning.
- Local and statewide advocacy for people who are houseless and for our organization.
- Community relations and fundraising.
- Staff support, organizational culture, and team building.
You will supervise five directors and an executive assistant. We will appreciate your approachability, passion for our mission, ability to find joy amid the hard work, and sense of humor.
Education, Experience, Core Competencies, and Qualities
Required
- Professional or lived experience in at least one culturally specific community
- Staff support, management, leadership, and team building experience; ability to lead team of 60+ staff members
- Minimum of five years of relevant experience as a director or manager in a nonprofit organization or government agency that provides human services
- Demonstrated success building relationships and collaborative efforts with individuals and communities of diverse races, ethnicities, faiths, cultures, languages, disabilities, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, citizenship or immigration statuses, sexual orientations, family statuses, and economic backgrounds, including people experiencing houselessness
- Track record in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within teams; understanding of what it means to be an anti-racist organization grounded in the principles of liberation
- Knowledge of houselessness, including its causes and effects
- Visionary leadership and management to support, protect, and enhance JOIN’s mission and bring about significant positive change for people who are houseless
- Strong networking and collaboration skills
- Strong public speaking skills
- Can facilitate difficult conversations and mediations in a respectful and constructive way
- Proficiency reading and evaluating financial statements
- Budgeting experience
- Ability to negotiate and manage large government contracts
- Strong fundraising track record, including grant writing experience, and familiarity with both private and public funding processes and sources
- Commitment to one-on-one donor stewardship
- Knowledge of trauma-informed services
- Experience in program design, implementation, evaluation, and data-driven decision-making
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Commitment to non-judgmental, non-violent, and holistic responses to the communities JOIN serves
- Passion for our work
Preferred
- Professional or lived experience with an assertive engagement approach, or something similar
- Direct service experience
Salary, Benefits, and Position Status Information
- $130,000 – $150,000, depending on experience
- Full-time, exempt employee status
- Mostly on-site
- 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employee and all dependents
- Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
- Employer-paid long- and short-term disability
- Employer-paid $50,000 life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Unmatched 403(b)
- 160 hours (20 days / 4 weeks) of PTO (vacation and sick time)
- 2 weeks of paid parental leave
- 1 week of paid bereavement leave
- Paid trauma leave
- 10 paid holidays plus paid winter break during office closure
- 8 hours/month of paid community involvement
- 8-week paid sabbatical after 7 years of employment
How to Apply
- Please send a cover letter and chronological resume to our recruitment consultant, Kathy Kniep, at [email protected], by August 3, 2023. In your cover letter, please answer these questions, supplying a one-paragraph answer to each:
- JOIN has a commitment to work toward becoming an anti-racist organization. What is your understanding of what that commitment means for the executive director role?
- As a housing organization, our work centers people who are houseless at both an institutional and an individual level. What is your understanding of the causes of houselessness?
- An email acknowledgement will be sent to all applicants within two business days. If you do not receive an acknowledgment within that timeframe, please contact Kathy Kniep: [email protected] / 503-309-3433.
- All inquiries will be handled confidentially.
- The position will remain open until filled.
- Not sure if you should apply? Please call Kathy Kniep with questions: 503-309-4433.
- Applications will be scored according to this 100-point matrix.
Equal Opportunity Employer
JOIN values the strengths that a diverse workforce offers and is committed to honoring the dignity of every individual.
