Operations Associate

Job Description

PURPOSE. DIGNITY. ACTION.

Operations Associate

PURPOSE. DIGNITY. ACTION. (PDA)

PDA strives to build robust support for non-punitive, community-based solutions to many public safety issues.With neighborhood and public partners and in partnership with community members actively seeking to move past experiences of harm and injury, we design and deliver widely supported initiatives that promote safety, restoration, and racial equity.

Who We Are

Formed in 1969 as The Defender Association to provide high-quality legal defense for civil rights activists in Seattle, in 2013 we began to concentrate exclusively on alternative public safety models, when King County created an in-house public defense program. PDA remained independent to carry on the work of our Racial Disparity Project, which had helped to design LEAD, the nation’s first pre-booking diversion model for drug-related offenses. In 2021, we adopted a Co-Executive Director structure, recognizing the value of power-sharing, multiple voices, and perspectives at the leadership level. Our multicultural team of lawyers, organizers, project managers, social workers, direct service providers, and administrative staff blends professional and technical skills with lived experience of the systems we’re working to change.

CoLEAD Background

CoLEAD developed from the LEAD framework to provide intensive case management in non-congregate shelter facilities for people who are at high risk of exposure to the criminal legal system; all participants experience substance use disorder and high barriers to housing and establishing a lawful income source. CoLEAD connects hundreds of participants to primary care, prevents overdoses (no participant has died of an overdose since we launched in Spring 2020), establishes permanent housing plans, and provides legal system coordination under the LEAD model.

Position Description:

The Operations Associate supports the Director of Operations to ensure operations provide high-level resources, leadership, development, and staff training. This position reports to the PDA Director of Operations to ensure we are providing quality person-centered support organization wide.

Essential Job Functions:

PDA/CoLEAD Operations (50%)

Supports the work of the PDA Director of Operations and other members of the CoLEAD and PDA leadership team, focused on internal operations, special initiatives, program project management, and program personnel support.

Support the PDA Director of Operations in coordinating new employee onboarding communications with PDA leadership, Co-Executive Directors, CoLEAD leadership, and operational and finance staff.

Work closely with the CoLEAD Program Director, CoLEAD Manager, and CoLEAD Supervisors to provide program oversight, integrity, and person-centered care for all CoLEAD participants

Provide a consistent and regular on-site operations presence at sites with program staff

Coordinate with program leadership, project managers, staff, and program subcontractors including

Liaison with the We Deliver Care (WDC) Safety Team for program and training needs

Liaison with ReblX, including working with the ReblX Operations Team to support check-in meetings and facilities management

Oversee program operations and logistics including

Resolve operational issues submitted through our centralized operations ticketing system

Order program and harm reduction supplies, maintain proper inventory through our inventory system, and keep track of distribution.

Maintain the ORCA card distribution system for our participants

Distribute and track all gift cards for programs

Track all staff receipts, working with supervisors to make sure documentation is sent to operations promptly.

Liaison with other PDA workgroups to ensure coordination, including Finance and Accounting, Benefits, and Payroll

Other duties as assigned

Temporary Lodging Site Liaison & Site Operations (Site Control) (40%)

Ensure that CoLEAD complies with requirements for workplace health and safety. Communicate and train with staff to identify and report safety issues to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards

Coordinate with Director of Operations, CoLEAD Program Director, Facilities Management, hired security, and other CoLEAD staff to coordinate move-in and move-out of Temporary Lodging sites

Work with the Director of Operations to coordinate cross-functional disaster preparedness teams to ensure that CoLEAD has a plan in place for emergencies, including the supplies needed, at every site

Assist the Director of Operations in overseeing all stages of new site openings

Oversee room turnover and room occupancy status and assist with room audits at sites as necessary to ensure the room tracker and ExtendedReach are up to date and accurate.

Coordinate with the CoLEAD Manager to ensure that temporary lodging sites have operational support

Coordinate transportation and logistics to ensure timely operations and deliveries to all temporary shelter locations

Oversee food services, including centralizing food ordering and inventory system, as well as distribution of food to all sites

Submit and monitor all maintenance tickets through MaintainX submitted at each site, updating the Director of Operations as needed.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

General Operations Support (10%)

May be deployed to support PDA staff and operations team members at any of the organization's sites

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Essential Job Qualifications:

(Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience)

Experience:

Experience working independently on administrative projects

2 or more years of experience working in operations and administration that provides case management and/or outreach for residential services in a social services/human services program

Demonstrated knowledge of program management tools, and ability to work effectively managing multiple priorities

Knowledge and Skills:

Strong analytical skills and aptitude for detail

Ability to exercise independent judgment, apply strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and manage competing priorities using effective organizational strategies

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

Ability to converse and listen to people in various settings

Ability to use a computer/laptop as well as other standard office equipment

Frequently required to stand, walk, use fingers, hands, and arms

Ability to occasionally push, pull, lift, and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds

Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various sites, and meeting outside the site, walking up and down stairs will be required

Travel to sites and meetings around the county is necessary

Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present

Preferred Qualifications

Lived experience with criminal legal systems, including jails, law enforcement, and courts, as well as being unhoused

Experience in work related to residential programs, outreach programs, or in an institutional setting

Experience with services that are provided from a harm reduction perspective to individuals experiencing behavioral health disabilities

Experience working with a multicultural workforce with a variety of lived, professional, and academic experiences

Over five years of program operations experience in the human services field

Location

The PDA Office is in Seattle, WA.

Benefits include:

401 (k) match of up to 4% of salary, beginning after six months of employment

Annual, 2% of salary, profit sharing contribution to 401k, provided in most years

Generous medical and dental benefits for employees and family members

Flexible Spending Agreement for both medical and dependent care needs

15 days vacation per year, increasing annually up to 20 days vacation per year, after 5 years.

12 personal/sick days annually

Monthly $50 employer cell phone contribution if required by position

This is a Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt, at-will position; continuation in the position depends on both performance and funding.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PDA is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. PDA actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork, and productivity. PDA is committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board, and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious affiliation, marital status, sexual identity, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, those directly impacted by the criminal justice system, people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact .

How to Apply

Submit your cover letter and resume. Please note: Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. No phone calls, please.