Overview

Director of Shelter Safety and Background Checks – 250006LU

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

Agency mission: The EOHLC is charged with creating more homes in Massachusetts and lowering housing costs for residents. The DHS oversees programs that support individuals and households experiencing or at risk of housing instability, including emergency housing, shelter programs, and related services.

The DHS Director of Shelter Safety and Background Checks serves as a primary subject matter expert on safety for the Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter program and reports to the DHS Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The Director leads the team responsible for safety in the EA Family Shelter program, CORI and Warrant checks, and EA hearings where applicable. The team uses systems such as Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) and other shared/encrypted folders, and performs ad hoc reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities (Not All Inclusive)

1. Leadership and Oversight: Provide oversight of the Shelter Safety, EA Background Check Unit, and the DHS EA Hearings Unit; ensure effective communication and day-to-day partnership with related teams (e.g., EA Intake, Eligibility, Placement, Field Operations) and other DHS units; mentor and coach team members.
2. CORI Checks at Intake and Eligibility – Before Placement: Manage consent and completion of commissioner-level CORI checks; review findings and advise Intake/Eligibility/Placement; manage adverse decision processes and support eSORI policy guidance; coordinate with Family Shelter Services regarding rosters requiring enhanced oversight.
3. CORI Checks in Shelter – After Placement: Oversee CORI checks for adults in EA Family Shelter after placement; ensure eligibility actions are taken when individuals turn 18; manage adverse decision processes; ensure recurring CORI checks where required.
4. Safety and Policy Protocol: Lead subject matter expert on safety for the EA Family Shelter; provide guidance to DHS leadership and contracted providers; review and update safety protocols to align with laws and guidance; develop new safety policies as needed; maintain CORI policy and access lists; track required training and ensure protocol alignment.
5. Warrant Checks: Ensure recurring open warrant checks for individuals on EA contact lists or in shelter programs.
6. Reporting & Escalations: Serve as escalation point for CORI and Warrant processes to DHS senior leaders; provide regular reporting to stakeholders.
7. Hearings & Appeals: Oversee EA Hearings Specialists; coordinate with DHS teams and the EOHLC Legal Hearings Unit; lead preparation, representation, and post-hearing follow-up as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Ability to lead and supervise staff delivering trauma-informed client services.
2. Experience managing safety programs in the public sector.
3. Experience with State and Federal programs with complex regulations; ability to develop effective implementation strategies.
4. Familiarity with Massachusetts criminal justice system; basic knowledge of court processes and terminology.
5. Prior experience processing and/or reviewing CORI records.
6. Experience requesting and/or reviewing court dockets and case information (MassCourts).
7. Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and coaching skills.
8. Ability to manage multiple tasks with planning, delegation, and communication.
9. Proficiency with Microsoft tools (Excel) and handling large datasets.
10. Knowledge of program development, analysis, and evaluation; ability to anticipate problems and devise creative solutions.
11. Understanding of poverty and diverse, low-income populations.
12. Experience building collaborative partnerships with multiple stakeholders (community orgs, coalitions, faith groups, service providers, and clients).
13. Experience in project management across multiple workstreams.
14. Excellent verbal and written communication and reporting skills.
15. Experience working within the criminal justice system.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have at least five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, public administration, or related fields, with at least one year in a project management or supervisory capacity. Substitutions: a related field certificate may substitute for one year of experience; a Bachelor's degree may substitute for two years; a Graduate degree may substitute for three years; a Doctorate may substitute for four years.

Pre-employment background checks will be conducted in accordance with Human Resources guidelines.

Additional Information

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. 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 covered by law.

Official Title: Program Manager VI

Primary Location: Administrative Services

Agency: Exec Office of Housing and Livable Communities

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Sep 12, 2025, 7:43:23 AM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 92,644.84 - 130,000.00 Yearly

Hybrid Work Schedule: Potentially Eligible

Contact for Diversity/ADA questions: Jessica Molina – 857-248-0160

Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)