Homelessness Response Manager

Homelessness Response Manager

Salary

$110,344.00 - $137,930.00 Annually

Location

City of San Luis Obispo, CA

Job Type

Regular Full Time

Department

Development Planning

Opening Date

10/20/2026

Closing Date

11/10/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

JOB DESCRIPTION

The City of San Luis Obispo is looking for a Homelessness Response Manager who demonstrates leadership, strategic thinking and the ability to develop and implement policies and programs to address homelessness.

Successful Candidate

The successful candidate for the Homelessness Response Manager is someone who can perform a variety of project management assignments related to the City's Homelessness Response efforts. They have a strong background in housing and homelessness issues facing the state and region with proven experience managing complex programs and leading multidisciplinary teams. This individual brings strategic thinking and sound judgment to challenging issues. They excel at interpreting and applying policies, facilitating interdepartmental collaboration, and providing clear, well-reasoned recommendations to advisory bodies and city council. They are a confident communicator who fosters constructive dialogue and consensus in diverse community settings.

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, December 1st, 2026, so please hold that date.

Community Impact

In the Homelessness Response Manager role, you will have a unique opportunity to create a meaningful impact on your community. You will interface with staff and leadership from every department within the City as well as external partners, stakeholders, and service providers to address homelessness in a cohesive and collaborative manner. You will shape policies that guide City staff's efforts to conduct outreach, enforcement, and encampment cleanups with consistency and compassion. You will also have the opportunity to create and lead new initiatives that positively impact community members experiencing homelessness, ranging from safe parking to permanent supportive housing.

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs a variety of professional assignments related to the City's homelessness response efforts; coordinates internal and external efforts related to homelessness and helps develop strategic and effective ways to invest City resources towards these efforts; organizes strategies and implements with other City staff in conjunction with government agencies, law enforcement, community stakeholders, and non-profit community-based organizations; recommends, promotes, and implements the Citys homelessness-related goals and citywide strategic plan to address homelessness; acts as a City liaison with external agencies, boards, and committees; and may supervise or lead staff as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

This is an advanced journey-level professional classification that oversees the City's homelessness response efforts and projects with great latitude for initiative and independent judgment. This classification is distinguished from other professional classifications by the specialized focus on homelessness response.

SUPERVISION

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives general direction from a Principal Planner

May provide direct supervision and/or technical or functional direction to professional, technical, administrative support, or intern staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Serves as the Citys primary contact, strategic advisor, and coordinator on homelessness issues impacting the city.
• Oversees and coordinates the work of the homelessness response field team, including outreach and encampment cleanups on City property.
• Develops, maintains, recommends, and implements policies, procedures, and standards for the City's homelessness response efforts.
• Reports to the Homelessness Response Steering Committee, which involves developing meeting agendas, facilitating meetings, and providing updates on partnerships, initiatives, funding opportunities, pilot programs, and policy recommendations.
• Responds to public inquiries regarding homelessness and homeless encampments.
• Collaborates and leads partnerships with other agencies regarding homeless services, grants, funding opportunities, pilot program initiatives, and communication strategies,
• Develops qualitative and quantitative measures to monitor and evaluate homelessness response effectiveness.
• Fosters relationships with key stakeholders, such as community and non-profit organizations, activists, homeless and housing service providers, and businesses.
• Conducts field visits with homelessness response team staff to assess needs, issues, and priorities to inform policy updates and advocacy efforts.
• Attends and facilitates training for the homelessness response team.
• Provides written analysis, evaluation, and recommendations regarding homelessness activities.
• Identifies and implements strategic, short- and long-range planning and frameworks to develop and achieve homelessness response goals; identifies resources needed to implement goals and objectives.
• Prepares and makes presentations to boards, City Council, commissions, community partners, and other groups regarding homelessness response efforts; facilitates and represents the City at meetings with members of the community and the public.
• Reviews and analyzes complex data; researches, analyzes, interprets, and prepares reports and recommendations on a variety of data related to homelessness.
• Performs various public relations activities, which may include development of communication materials and press releases.
• Prepares and recommends budgets and participates in preparation of budgets that support services.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City staff and external community partners.
• Tracks state and federal legislation relating to homelessness and funding.
• May provide direct supervision and/or technical or functional direction to lower-level or less-experienced staff as assigned.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to homelessness, including current case law.
• Best practices related to homeless services, outreach, case management, and programs.
• Principles of planning, project management, public administration, organization, and management.
• The principles and practices of researching and analyzing the economic feasibility of programs and projects.
• Best practices and community approaches to prevent and address homelessness, including policy development and program management.
• Methods of financing homelessness projects and programs.
• Marketing, public information, and promotional techniques used in homelessness response.
• Principles of work plan development and implementation.
• Functions and relationships between private, public, and non-profit sector groups that serve the homeless populations.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of research and statistical analysis.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various professional, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Economic and social public policy on impacts of homelessness.
• Principles of budgeting and public policy analysis.
• Principles and practices of supervision and team leadership.

Ability to:

• Think critically, strategically, and creatively to develop policies, programs, and initiatives to prevent and address homelessness.
• Evaluate and implement short- and long-term priorities.
• Communicate clearly and concisely to a variety of stakeholders.
• Display strong leadership skills and an aptitude for collaboration with multiple departments, organizations, and stakeholders to work toward defined goals and objectives.
• View events and possibilities from multiple perspectives, including departmental, citywide, and community.
• Analyze data trends and analysis related to homelessness.
• Assess complex ideas, problems, risks, and situations.
• Maintain adaptability, effectiveness, and openness in dynamic work environments.
• Exercise sound independent judgment and demonstrate initiative and creativity, with minimal supervision.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in social or behavioral sciences, community development, urban planning, business, public administration, or a related field;

and

Four years of increasingly responsible professional experience managing complex public policy projects requiring the use of effective analytical and organizational skills, including one year of experience related to homelessness response, housing programs, housing services, food security, mental health, or addiction.

or

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting - DOJ

Equal Opportunity & Language Access Notice

The City of San Luis Obispo values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to fostering a community where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and inclusion, and where everyone can thrive. Our job posting site is compatible with tools such as Google Translate, which applicants may use to view postings in their preferred language. Please note that all application materials and responses must be submitted in English, as English is the working language of the City.

La Ciudad de San Luis Obispo valora la diversidad, la equidad, la inclusión y el sentido de pertenencia. Estamos comprometidos a fomentar una comunidad donde todas las personas sean tratadas con dignidad, respeto e inclusión, y donde todos puedan prosperar. Nuestro sitio de publicación de empleos es compatible con herramientas como Google Translate, que los solicitantes pueden usar para ver las publicaciones en su idioma preferido. Tenga en cuenta que todos los materiales de la solicitud y las respuestas deben enviarse en inglés, ya que el inglés es el idioma de trabajo de la Ciudad.

For questions or assistance, please contact recruitment@slocity.org. Si tiene preguntas o necesita asistencia, por favor comuníquese con recruitment@slocity.org.

For a detailed spreadsheet of employee benefits by bargaining group, please view our Benefits Summary.

Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City participates only in the medicare portion of Social Security.

Health: the City has a cafeteria plan for health, dental and vision insurance and contributes towards medical insurance. Employees may choose from several health insurance options. There are also two dental plans to choose from. See the Benefits Summary link to determine the contribution amount.

Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: group term life and AD&D insurance is provided for all regular employees. The amount of coverage varies depending on the classification. Employees may purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for themselves and their dependents.

Vacation: employees receive 12 days per year increasing to 20 days after 20 years.

Holidays: employees receive 12-13 days per year depending on the classification.

Sick Leave: employees receive 12 days per year.

Administrative Leave: is a benefit available to management employees. The number of administrative leave hours varies depending on the classification.

Flexible Work Schedule: is available to many positions within the City organization.

Long Term Disability Insurance: is available for regular employees. The amount of benefit and contribution by employee varies by classification.

Deferred Compensation: is available for employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to supplement retirement.

Wellness Program: offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being.

Employee Assistance Program: a counseling and consultation service designed to help employees and eligible family members with a wide range of personal issues.

Flexible Benefits Program: available to help employees save taxes on: (1) Pre-tax health insurance premium deductions, (2) Unreimbursed/ uncovered medical expenses, and (3) Dependent care expenses.

Tuition Reimbursement: up to $1500 annually for job-related educational costs is available to employees who have passed probation.

Trip Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP): incentives are available for employees who voluntarily participate in alternative forms of transportation to and from work.

Computer Purchase Program: interest-free loans to employees who have passed probation and who purchase computers for personal use with City approved software configuration.

Professional Association for City Employees (PACE): voluntary organization for professional development training classes, monthly membership meetings with a variety of speakers, and social functions designed to facilitate interaction with employees from all departments in a relaxed setting away from work.

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• Masters degree or higher
• Bachelors degree
• Associates degree or vocational equivalent
• Some college
• High School/G.E.D.
• None of the above

02

Did you major in one of the following fields?

• Social or Behavioral Sciences
• Community Development
• Urban Planning
• Business Administration
• Public Administration
• Other Field - Related
• Other Field - Unrelated
• N/A - Did not attend college

03

If you answered "other related field" or "other unrelated field" to the previous question, please explain. Otherwise, please put "N/A".

04

How many years of progressively responsible professional experience do you have managing complex public policy projects that require strong analytical and organizational skills?

• 8 years or more
• 7 years to 7 years 11 months
• 6 years to 6 years 11 months
• 5 years to 5 years 11 months
• 4 years to 4 years 11 months
• 3 years to 3 years 11 months
• 2 years to 2 years 11 months
• 1 year to 1 year 11 months
• Less than 1 year
• No Experience

05

How many years of experience do you have specifically related to homelessness response, housing programs or services, food security, mental health, or addiction?

• 8 years or more
• 7 years to 7 years 11 months
• 6 years to 6 years 11 months
• 5 years to 5 years 11 months
• 4 years to 4 years 11 months
• 3 years to 3 years 11 months
• 2 years to 2 years 11 months
• 1 year to 1 year 11 months
• Less than 1 year
• No Experience

06

Please describe your progressively responsible experience in the areas listed above, including key duties, level of responsibility, and the types of projects or programs you supported.

Required Question

Employer City of San Luis Obispo

Address 990 Palm St

San Luis Obispo, California, 93401

Phone 805-781-7250

Website http://www.slocity.org