Position Title: Operations Manager

Status: Regular Full Time, Exempt

Supervisor: Executive Director

Location: Ability to be in-person at our office in Burlington, VT and remotely (with potential for a hybrid work schedule)

Work Hours: Regular work hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with some flexibility

Compensation: Salary Range of $45,000-$55,000 plus benefits

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Executive Director Tom Dalton via email at tom@vcjr.org (please see below for information on what constitutes a complete application)

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled About Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform (VCJR):

VCJR is a charitable non-profit organization working every day to improve the health and safety of justice-involved people, their children and families, and our communities. To do this, we provide direct supportive services to justice-involved individuals and people who are high-risk for involvement in the criminal legal system including people living with high-risk substance use disorders. We work toward systemic change at the community, state and federal levels. VCJR takes advantage of the important synergy between policy advocacy, direct support services, academic research, leadership development among people with lived experience and public engagement to help make change happen.

The City of Burlington, Vermont has selected VCJR as the community service provider to establish and operate Vermont’s first Overdose Prevention Center (OPC). Over the coming months, VCJR will undergo significant growth as it works to integrate OPC services into our existing overdose prevention, harm reduction, drug treatment, medical support, recovery support and related services for people living with substance use disorders.

The Job at a Glance

This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative, people-centered operations professional who enjoys building systems from the ground up. As VCJR grows, the Operations Manager will help create the operational foundation that allows our people and programs to thrive.

This position is responsible, in collaboration with the Executive Director (ED), for ensuring all aspects of VCJR’s operations function smoothly and effectively. This includes leading operational systems development, supporting staff in their day-to-day operations needs, and stewarding operational readiness for growth.

In the early months of the job, the Operations Manager will have the thought partnership of external consulting support to build requisite operations systems and practices.

Job Responsibilities

Human Resources

Manage and support all Human Resources functions for our small staff:

• In collaboration with the ED, ensure compliance with labor laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA etc.) and state-specific regulations (Vermont wage and hour rules etc.)

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of employee pay and benefits

• Maintain and update personnel policies and employee handbook as needed

• Manage the full recruitment cycle, from posting through candidate selection and hiring

• Administer onboarding and offboarding processes

• Administer employee benefits programs and support employees with enrollment

• Identify needs for HR expertise; lead the process of identifying, contracting with, and

then managing relationships with external HR expertise as appropriate Facilities

Prepare and manage VCJR’s facilities to ensure effectiveness and safety:

• Work with the ED to identify, plan for, and implement the opening of a new VCJR facility, coordination with contractors and vendors, preparing operational systems, supporting regulatory and permitting needs, and ensuring the space is ready for launch

• Develop and maintain systems for facilities maintenance, safety, and vendor management

Risk

Ensure that VCJR manages and mitigates organizational risk

• Maintain and periodically review appropriate insurance coverage

• Ensure regulatory compliance by assisting the ED in completing required federal, state,

and local filings

• Assist the ED with contract management and contract compliance

• Identify needs for external technical expertise in areas such as data security; lead the process to identify, contract with, and then work with relevant vendors

Technology and Data

Ensure that VCJR has the technology needed for staff to succeed in their work

• Oversee effective organization of VCJR document management and database systems

• Identify and lead procurement of outsourced IT support; manage contracted IT vendors

to ensure quality service at a reasonable price

• Identify and lead technology systems improvement projects

• Ensure clear staff-facing policies and trainings on use of technology at VCJR

Organizational Operations & Board Support

• Support ED with board-related projects, including preparation of meeting materials, coordination of board tasks, and onboarding of new board members

• Build and maintain strong internal operational systems and communication practices across the organization

• Support organizational project management efforts and help staff implement consistent, effective operational workflows as the complexity of VCJR’s work and staff size grow

Financial Management

• Work with the ED to ensure the organization’s financial and grants management needs are being appropriately covered through outsourced financial management support

• Routinely collaborate with external financial management support to communicate VCJR’s evolving needs and provide necessary support, as requested, to ensure those needs are consistently being met

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Technical skills: Experience with at least some core areas of nonprofit operations – such as HR, technology, facilities management, risk and compliance, or vendor coordination

• Detail orientation: Ability to produce complete, accurate work; notices and corrects errors proactively

• Tech savvy: Comfortable using and adapting technology to organizational needs, with familiarity using Microsoft Office and cloud-based tools

• Customer service orientation: Builds positive working relationships with both internal and external partners and enjoys supporting others to excel in their roles

• Communication: Ability to convey technical information to others in an accessible way

• Proactive problem-solving: Identifies needs and gaps, prioritizes based on organizational goals, collaborates with others to understand their needs, and implements people-centered solutions

• Flexibility & adaptability: Ability to quickly change priorities and approaches, and to create systems and supports for staff that can evolve as organizational needs change

• Project management: Ability to plan and manage multiple complex projects, gather input, communicate progress, build buy-in, and navigate conflict as needed

• Builder Mindset: Thrives in environments where systems are emerging and enjoys creating new processes, structures, and operational foundations from scratch

• Independent, self-motivated and self-directed: Ability to work independently to meet deadlines and fulfill job responsibilities

Other

• Driving: Some driving is required including attendance at meetings and trainings (Note: Must provide your own vehicle with acceptable insurance and maintain a valid Vermont driver’s license and an acceptable driving record) (mileage reimbursed)

• Other job duties as assigned

Please apply for this job if you are interested, even if your experience does not meet 100% of the job description. We understand that experiences, skills, and qualifications come in many forms. The application and interview processes are designed to give you and us opportunities to explore how your unique set of skills, experience, and perspective fit with this position.

A resume and cover letter are both required. We invite you to share additional materials if you choose. This is not required. You’re welcome to send in anything else that would represent your ability to do this job, such as a video, an audio file, or an example of your work. Whether or not you send additional materials, or if you send more than one, is not indicative of a strong application. We offer this opportunity to support different ways of expression and communication. Please limit video/audio to less than 3 minutes in length.

Vermont is an at-will employment state and employment with VCJR is at will. This means that either the employee or VCJR may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause, provided that the reason is not prohibited by applicable law. Nothing in this job description, the employee handbook, organizational policies, or other communications is intended to create a contract of employment or a guarantee of continued employment.

VCJR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws with respect to employment, volunteer participation, participation in our programs or events, or the provision of services.

Updated 1-26-26