Long Island Housing Services seeks Executive Director

The Executive Director must be an experienced and seasoned leader and manager who will provide oversight of the organization, engage in the broader fair housing community, and develop and maintain strong relationships with funding sources, including local, state and federal government.

Job Description for Long Island Housing Services Executive Director pdf

ORGANIZATION

Long Island Housing Services was founded in 1969, in the wake of the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the subsequent passage of the Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The organization was formed by a grassroots group of volunteers and civic and religious leaders. Its mission is to eliminate unlawful housing discrimination and promote decent and affordable housing through advocacy and education.

Long Island Housing Services (LIHS) is the only private HUD approved fair housing enforcement agency based on Long Island that offers services and advocacy in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Several significant accomplishments of the organization include:

  • Groundbreaking success in eliminating discriminatory residency preferences by municipal governments
  • 90-95% win rate in challenging discrimination in housing cases brought on behalf of individual complainants and by the agency based on testing
  • High degree of success in preventing mortgage foreclosures on Long Island with a combination of free housing counseling and free legal services.

For more information, please visit www.lifairhousing.org

POSITION

With the retirement of the current long-term ED, LIHS is seeking its next Executive Director.

The Executive Director must be an experienced and seasoned leader and manager who will provide oversight of the organization, engage in the broader fair housing community, and develop and maintain strong relationships with funding sources, including local, state and federal government.

The Executive Director must also have a strong and honed ability to motivate, develop, and manage staff. S/he must communicate openly and honestly, promoting inclusiveness, cooperation, and teamwork.

General Description of Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the LIHS staff, programs, operations, and execution of mission.
  • As a champion for equal housing for all people, s/he serves as the chief spokesperson, advocate and representative of LIHS both locally and nationally.
  • With an organizational culture of collegiality and consensus building, s/he will work with a team of 16 full-time and 3 part-time staff, along with testers, volunteers, and interns, all passionate and committed individuals who care deeply about the organization’s mission.
  • The ED should be familiar with fair housing and civil rights laws, administrative processes, and litigation and have a passion for advocacy and enforcement of equal housing opportunities for all.
  • Knowledge of the federal, state and foundation funding sources and compliance issues is important, as well as familiarity/expertise in other areas of resource development.

 

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree, J.D., or equivalent experience with a minimum of five years in a supervisory role at a nonprofit organization, government agency or fair housing organization.
  • Knowledge of Spanish is a plus, though not a requirement.
  • Strong background, through study or experience, in race and human relations in suburban communities. Knowledge of Long Island is a plus, but not required.
  • Demonstrated success as a fundraiser, including writing and administering successful grants.
  • Experience in working with a Board of Directors.
  • Effective and proven communication skills.

 

Salary and Benefits:

LIHS offers a competitive salary and health insurance.

Application Process:

The Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Adelphi University’s School of Social Work is conducting the Executive Search for LIHS’s Executive Director.

For full consideration, applicants must apply by October 6, 2017 by sending a cover letter indicating salary requirements, resume, and list of three professional references with contact information to: centerfornonprofitleadership@adelphi.edu.

We will not contact references without prior approval. All applications will be held in confidence.

LIHS is an EOE/Affirmative action employer.