Overview Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking a Director of Shelter Safety and Background Checks in the Division of Housing Stabilization.

AGENCY MISSION: The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is charged with creating more homes in Massachusetts and lowering housing costs for residents. Formerly known as the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), EOHLC works with municipalities, local housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and development partners to provide affordable housing options, financial assistance, and other support to Massachusetts communities. The Division of Housing Stabilization (DHS) within EOHLC oversees programs that support individuals and households experiencing or at risk of experiencing housing instability. DHS supports programs and services for Massachusetts individuals and people with children (including pregnant people) seeking emergency housing, shelter programs and related services, resources for households at risk of foreclosure or eviction and individuals experiencing domestic violence. The mission of DHS is to make homelessness in Massachusetts rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Role Overview The DHS Director of Shelter Safety and Background Check (the Director) for the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program reports directly to the DHS Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The Director oversees the team that ensures safety in the Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter program through management of the CORI check and Warrant check processes. The Director serves as a primary subject matter expert on safety for the EA Family Shelter program, provides expert safety guidance to DHS senior leaders and contracted providers, reviews and updates safety protocols, and ensures day-to-day operations align with statutory, regulatory, and guidance requirements.

The Director will oversee the EA Hearing Specialists who gather and present evidence at Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter hearings where EA applicants and participants are appealing denials, terminations, non-compliances and other appeal types.

The Director and team utilize several technological systems, including but not limited to: Housing Help Hub (HHH), Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), iCORI, iSORI, MassCourts, secure shared and encrypted folders, and others as needed. The team runs various reports, updates tracking sheets, and fulfills ad hoc reporting requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities (not all inclusive)

Leadership and Oversight

The Director provides oversight and management of the core activities of the Shelter Safety, EA Background Check Unit, and the DHS EA Hearings Unit, ensuring effective communication and day-to-day partnership with other teams within DHS, including the EA Intake, Eligibility, and Placement team and the EA Family Shelter Services team.

Provides leadership, management, accountability, and coaching to the team.

CORI Checks at Intake and Eligibility – Before Placement

Manages the process by which all adults applying for EA Family Shelter consent to and complete a commissioner-level CORI check.

Reviews findings and relays eligibility and placement guidance to the Intake, Eligibility, and Placement team.

Manages the adverse decision process including noticing and follow-up.

Provides operational support or policy guidance regarding the eSORI check process.

Coordinates with the Family Shelter Services team regarding the roster of families whose members require enhanced oversight.

CORI Checks in Shelter – After Placement

Manages the process by which adults already placed in EA Family Shelter complete the CORI check process.

Ensures all persons who turn 18 while in shelter consent to and complete a commissioner-level CORI check; reviews findings and relays required actions.

Manages the adverse decision process including noticing and follow-up.

Ensures CORI checks are completed on a recurring basis for adults requiring enhanced oversight while in shelter.

Safety and Policy Protocol

Serves as a lead subject matter expert on safety for the EA Family Shelter program.

Provides expert guidance to DHS senior leaders and contracted providers administering shelter services.

Reviews and updates safety protocols and requirements as needed; ensures day-to-day operations align with statutory, regulatory, and guidance requirements.

Identifies and develops new safety policies for DHS, shelter staff, and clients.

Keeps the published CORI policy and the “Need to Know” list; maintains access lists for systems; tracks DCJIS CORI training; proposes protocol or technology improvements as needed.

Warrant Checks

Ensures that a check for open warrants is completed on a recurring cadence for all persons on the EA Contact List, in Rapid Shelter, or in Bridge Shelter.

Reporting & Escalations

Serves as the main escalation point for CORI and Warrant processes to the DHS COO or the DHS Assistant Undersecretary for Shelter Systems, or their designees.

Provides regular reporting to key stakeholder groups.

Hearings & Appeals

Provides oversight and management of the EA Hearings Specialists to ensure effective collaboration with DHS teams and the EOHLC Legal Hearings Unit.

Leads preparation for hearings, representation of DHS at hearings, and necessary follow-up after hearings, including issuing exit documents when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise staff delivering quality customer service within a trauma-informed service delivery model.

Experience managing safety programs in the public sector.

Experience working with State and Federal programs with complex regulations and policies; ability to develop effective implementation strategies.

Familiarity with the Massachusetts criminal justice system; basic knowledge of processes and terminology.

Prior experience processing and/or reviewing CORI records.

Prior experience requesting and/or reviewing court dockets, calendars, and case information via MassCourts.

Exceptional negotiation, conflict resolution, and coaching skills.

Ability to manage multiple tasks with planning, delegation, and communication.

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and large data sets.

Knowledge of program development, analysis, and evaluation; ability to anticipate problems and develop creative solutions.

Understanding of poverty issues and diverse, low-income populations.

Ability to create collaborative partnerships with multiple stakeholders.

Experience in project management with multiple workstreams.

Excellent verbal and written communication and reporting skills.

Experience working within the criminal justice system.

Comments Please upload resume and cover letter.

This position may follow a hybrid model of in-office and remote work.

Salary placement is determined by experience and education, subject to the Human Resources Division’s guidelines. Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified per Hiring Guidelines. Information provided may be published per the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

Pre-Offer Process and Entrance Requirements A background check will be completed as required by the Human Resources Division before hire.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least five years of relevant experience, with at least one year in a supervisory or managerial capacity. See substitutions for degree-related credit in the original posting for details.

Benefits and EEO Comprehensive benefits are offered. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis by law. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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