Director of Social Services - Liberty Plaza

Reports to: Shelter Director

Status: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Location: Jamaica, Queens

Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000

We are seeking an experienced and progressive Director of Social Services for our family shelter. This position oversees the Clinical and Social Services functions to optimize the quality of care to residents in accordance with DHS regulatory and accreditation requirements. The ideal candidate will develop and supervise two Social Service teams, each consisting of Social Workers, Case managers and Housing Specialists. The DSS will be responsible for implementing best practices to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the residents to ensure their ability to gain and maintain housing stability, and works closely with the Shelter Director to develop, implement, track, report, and evaluate measurable outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Hire and train shelter Social Worker, Case Managers, Housing Coordinator, and Peer Specialists.
• Oversee and provide leadership, guidance, direction, and supervision to Social Service and Housing teams to ensure accurate and timely completion of deliverables, targets, and benchmarks.
• Conduct and document one-on-one supervision of direct reporting staff to assess and improve work performance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and implement disciplinary actions as needed.
• Facilitate regular staff and clinical meetings.
• Attend mandatory DHS training and meetings.
• Ensure compliance with DHS and OTDA standards for client intake, assessments, and provision of services within mandated timeframes.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of charting requirements in compliance with DHS, OTDA and Lantern standards.
• Assist staff in developing individualized Independent Living Plans and Housing Plans for shelter residents.
• Ensure all clients receive needed medical services including physicals and ongoing medical care either at the shelter or through referrals to community-based providers.
• Provide and/or arrange for services to address the needs of mentally ill clients and, if necessary, refer clients for psychiatric assessment and treatment. Complete mental health assessments of shelter clients if necessary.
• Develop assessments, counseling methods, programming, and referral resources to ensure that clients coping with substance and alcohol use issues are fully supported in attaining harm reduction goals.
• Provide information and resources to assist clients in toward achieving housing goals.
• Work with clients and case managers in identifying community-based referrals for a client to continue treatment after leaving the shelter.
• Develop and implement crisis prevention and/or intervention strategies to ensure a safe and secure environment.
• Provide assistance and follow-up in regards to critical incidents with clients including the development of safety plans.
• Ensure shelter adheres to a Good Neighbor policy by working with social service staff to develop a guide of community resources where clients can appropriately spend leisure time during the day.
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• Master's in social work (MSW), Mental Health Counseling (MHC) or Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Please note license is required within 1 year (LMSW/LMHC/LMHT)
• Minimum of 1 year of social service supervisory experience.
• Experience with electronic case management systems and demonstrated ability to utilize and review data to inform best practices in service provision.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance abuse, and chronic homelessness is preferred.
• Ability to work well under pressure, including crisis situations, and be flexible with work schedule when necessary.
• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
  
  

Work Environment: This job operates in a shelter site and works with a population who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/ or kneel. Occasionally the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note

Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities. Lantern welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and experiences regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, pregnancy, religion, immigration status, veteran status, class, creed, mental or physical disability, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law.

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