Program Director Job Description

Job Duties

The key areas of responsibility for the Program Director include, but are not limited to:

  • Develop Sunday programming and plan and lead Sunday activities, as well as non-Sunday activities.
  • Interact with, and advocate for, Open Gate participants.
  • Encourage a sense of community among participants and volunteers.
  • Develop best practices for interacting with Open Gate participants and meet the ever-changing and increasing needs of the Houston homeless young adult community.
  • Meet at least once per calendar month with the Supervisor.
  • Attend monthly Open Gate board meetings, being prepared to contribute and discuss programs.
  • Attend training, workshops, and/or community events relevant to Open Gate programming, and communicate information to Board and volunteers as needed.
  • Collaborate with other agencies and organizations in the area to best meet the needs of our participants.
  • Communicate any concerns regarding staff, volunteers, programming, and/or participants with Supervisor in a timely and efficient manner so as to resolve any potential conflict that may interfere with Open Gate operations.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, clinical psychology, public policy, or a field related to working with homeless young adults;
    OR in the process of pursuing an advanced or professional degree in a relevant field, ideally having completed any ethics and/or professional conduct requirements;
    OR significant, directly related work experience.
  • Resumes, transcripts and/or proof of degrees, and professional and/or academic references.
  • Experience working with at risk persons and/or persons experiencing homelessness, ideally youth or young adults, including (but not limited to) LGBTQI+ persons.
  • Knowledge of Houston-area social services and organizations relevant to individuals experiencing homelessness, ideally youth and young adults.
  • Strong organizational and leadership skills, including ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally, in writing, and on social media. Experience with conducting training, workshops, and teaching is a plus.
  • Agreement with Bering’s Reconciling Congregation Statement.
  • Pass a criminal background check.
  • Able to work approximately 10 hours per week (but not more than 60 hours per month), including at least 4–5 hours on three Sunday afternoons every month.

Note: Open Gate takes a broad view of “homelessness,” including living on the streets, in emergency or other shelters, in agency-provided housing, or in temporary, unsafe, unreliable, unsustainable situations, etc. Open Gate currently serves persons 18–30 years old, as well as participants’ infants and young children.

Reconciling Congregation Statement

We proclaim that all people are created in the image of God and affirm that each person, regardless of age, economic status, faith history, ethnicity, gender, mental or physical ability, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, is a beloved child of God and worthy of God’s love and grace.

We support the full participation of all persons in every phase of church life. Through education and informal discussion, we will strive to better understand those who are different from ourselves to bring about a more accepting society.

We recognize ourselves to be a reconciling congregation within The Texas Annual Conference and choose to officially associate ourselves with the Reconciling Ministries Network within the United Methodist Church. We see this network as a sign of hope and through this association offer our witness to other congregations within our denomination to foster the spirit of reconciliation and movement toward inclusiveness.

By applying, you affirm that you have read, understood, and support Bering Memorial United Methodist Church’s Reconciling Congregation Statement.

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