Data Coaching & Performance Advisor

About Community Solutions

Community Solutions is a non-profit organization that works to achieve a lasting end to homelessness that leaves no one behind. We envision a more equitable future where homelessness is never inevitable or a way of life, for anyone. Since 2015, we have led Built for Zero, a movement of more than 100 cities and counties using data to radically change how they work and the impact they can achieve — and proving that it is possible to make homelessness rare and brief. Nearly half of these communities have reduced homelessness and 14 have ended veteran or chronic homelessness. To help communities equitably and sustainably end homelessness, we are also testing strategies that can address gaps in housing, disrupt inflow into homelessness, and produce more racially equitable housing and homelessness systems.

Position Overview

This full-time position supports communities, individually or in cohorts, in achieving real-time, person-level data sets in service of ending homelessness. This is achieved through coaching, training, and referrals to technical assistance resources. The Data Coach & Performance Advisor is on Built for Zero’s Strategy and Evaluation team.

The Data Coach & Performance Advisor will:

• Coach communities to achieve and sustain Built for Zero’s Quality Data Standards—the development of their By-Name lists, tracking improvements through By-Name List scorecards with a focus on improving data infrastructure and using data to measure racial equity—as well as other data-related goals.
• Provide the coaching to a cohort of communities so they are able to track progress toward ending homelessness on at least a monthly basis.
• Develop tools, processes and strategies to address common barriers communities face, especially those related to being able to report timely, quality data.
• Train Built for Zero staff and communities on data and data visualization tools and concepts, such as performance dashboards and data accuracy.
• Provide data coaching interventions at community site visits and in-person conferences as needed.
• Support improvements to the Built for Zero internal performance management infrastructure.

Defining Success for this Position:

• Built for Zero communities have quality, real-time data and are supported in the use of Quality Improvement methodologies to set goals and measure progress.
• Built for Zero communities understand how to identify and clear any data or technology barriers keeping them from achieving a quality By Name List and tracking an end to homelessness.
• Built for Zero communities and internal BFZ staff are supported and trained on data and performance management concepts and tools.
• Built for Zero communities have a deep understanding of BFZ reporting fields, and are able to upload their data in a timely and accurate fashion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to Clear the Path framework for communities to use their data to end homelessness in their communities
  • Assess the technology gaps and data training needs of new and existing Built for Zero communities data staff/teams to further their data capacity
  • Co-design and conduct analyses to aid in effective development and deployment of appropriate strategies, to clear the path for Built for Zero communities
  • Implement support plans, and monitor outcomes and improvements related to building data capacity in Built fo Zero communities such as Tableau license and trainings
  • Identify and address the needs of communities who struggle to report timely, quality data.
  • Support work around creation of a community level data solution (client level data)
  • Contribute to building out data strategy to easily track real time data on inflow into homelessness
• Provide one-on-one data coaching support to a cohort of communities to help them achieve quality data standards and other data-related goals to be able to track and end to homelessness on (at least) a monthly basis
  • Prepare and conduct new community data orientation calls and/or bi-annual webinars.
  • Assist and coach new communities in the development of their By-Name Lists and track improvements through By-Name list scorecard tools with a focus on data infrastructure areas, and integrating a Racial Equity framework
  • Support and track community progress toward individual and aggregate data coaching goals including embedding community data in coaching sessions
  • Develop tools, processes and strategies to address common community barriers as they emerge.
• Provide data coaching interventions at on-sites and other in-person convenings such as Learning Sessions.
• Formally and informally train Built for Zero team members and participating communities on Data and Performance Management tools and concepts, such as the Performance Management Trackers and data reliability.
• Assist the Knowledge Manager in capturing best practices from high performing Built for Zero communities.
• Support improvements to the Built for Zero internal performance management infrastructure.

Key Knowledge and Skill Areas

• Data Analysis Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to perform data analysis, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, to guide strategic decision-making and operational improvements.
• Data Systems Knowledge: In-depth understanding of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) or similar databases, including data entry, management, and reporting functionalities.
• Performance Management: Experience in developing and implementing performance management systems that track progress against goals, identify operational bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement.
• Data Coaching and Capacity Building: Skills in training and mentoring community teams to enhance their data literacy and capacity for using data effectively in decision-making processes.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, data teams, and non-profit organizations, fostering collaboration and support for data-driven initiatives.
• Tool Development: Competence in developing tools and resources that assist communities in improving data quality and reliability. Preference for building custom HMIS reporting solutions.
• Equity and Inclusion: Knowledge of and commitment to embedding racial equity frameworks within data practices to ensure fair and unbiased outcomes.
• Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau and Salesforce, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Business Apps to streamline workflows and enhance data communication.

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of previous work experience in a professional environment.
• Preference for those who have experience working in family and/or youth systems.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Passion for justice, equity, and ending homelessness.
• Experience in utilizing and training end users on HMIS or comparable government databases.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel and Google Suite products.
• Ideal candidate has familiarity with the homeless services sector or related public health field(s).
• Ideal candidate has experience with data improvement coaching and possesses a professional coaching demeanor.
• Ideal candidate has experience with public speaking, facilitation, and providing consulting support to community stakeholders.
• Experience with data visualization, data analysis, and quantitative measurement is a plus.
• Comfort with systems and macro-level thinking.
• Must have the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced, dynamic team environment and demonstrate a willingness to shift easily between various responsibilities with diverse stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Software/Apps Used

• Microsoft Office
• Google Business Apps
• Asana
• Zoom
• Social media software and applications
• Salesforce
• Tableau
• Slack

Work Environment

This position can be located anywhere in the continental United States. The Built for Zero team has office space in Los Angeles, and New York City, but the position provides for the flexibility to work from a remote location without the standard support available at an office if such an arrangement meets the needs of Community Solutions.

Position and Salary

This position is grant-funded for two years with potential for renewal.

CS offers competitive salaries and benefits packages for every position. The salary range for this position is between$76,634-$97,921. The actual salary is commensurate with the candidate's experience and may go beyond the listed range.

Travel Requirements

Up to 5 days of travel per month may be required to attend semi-annual team retreats, community visits, and other on-site trainings or convenings.

Diversity and Inclusion

We strive for inclusivity and diversity by attracting extraordinary people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We seek to employ an all-star team of people who vary by their race and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, age, culture, religion, veteran status, physical and mental abilities. We promote equal opportunity in the recruitment, selection, training, compensation, promotion, and benefits of all employees.

COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all Community Solutions staff—full-time, part-time, and contracted. Vaccination documentation must be provided to Community Solutions. Vaccination information is completely confidential between the staff member and HR.

PLEASE NOTE:

We kindly ask applicants not to contact Community Solutions employees for updates on this role. Additionally, we are not accepting candidate resumes from recruitment firms.