Lead Social Worker - VSSR

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy.   To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

Job Title: Lead Social Worker - VSSR

Location: War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Schedule (Days and Hours): M-F 9am to 5pm

Reporting Type (In-person, Hybrid, or Remote): In-person

Employment Type (Non-exempt / Exempt) AND (Full-Time/Part-Time/ On-Call): Exempt

Salary Range (Hourly if Non-Exempt, Annual if Exempt): $90,000 - $100,000 per year

Summary (of position):

Under the direction and with the support of the Assistant Clinical Director for Residential Programs the Lead Social Worker is responsible for aiding in the delivery and oversight of clinical services within the Swords to Plowshares Residential Programs. These programs serve veterans with disabilities exiting homelessness. Duties of this position include supervision of staff, oversight of clinical programs, quality review, and the safety and well-being of veterans living in Swords to Plowshares properties.

Programs may include the following:

Fairfax Hotel

Stanford Hotel

Edwin M Lee Apartments

Maceo May Apartments

Jon W. Paulson Veteran’s Community

Veterans Commons

These programs represent a range of services focusing on supportive services for aging veterans in permanent supportive housing. Supportive Services in permanent settings focus on providing clinical support and case management for veterans who have secured Permanent Supportive Housing with an emphasis on retention of housing.

The Lead Social Worker – VSSR Is responsible for the implementation of the Veterans Support to Self-Reliance (VSSR) Pilot at Swords to Plowshares.  VSSR provides enhanced services to veterans in Permanent Supportive Housing including transportation services, cleaning and laundry services, peer support and mental health support.

Responsibilities:

• Provide staff training on the creation of treatment plans that are designed to improve the mental health and well-being of aging veterans. 
• Act as a resource for support services staff as they assist veterans to meet program goals regarding residential stability, increased skills or income, greater self-determination, connection with mainstream resources, payment of rent, and money management.
• Researching and providing support to case management staff in order to properly refer aging veterans to resources (i.e., medical services, Meals-on-Wheels, transportation, and SNAP benefits). 
• Assisting in the creation of tools to better track the progress of aging veterans living within permanent supportive housing.
• Evaluating onsite support services to ensure that they are meeting the needs of aging veterans.
• Oversight of staff charting and documentation
• Staff training and education
• Client assessment and referral overview
• Overview of assignment of client caseloads
• Crisis intervention
• Liaison to referring clinicians, and serving as clinical resource, including coordination of treatment with other providers, especially the VA, and the liaison work that is required to accomplish this. This also involves supporting staff in their communication with VA and other external partners
• The Lead Social Worker will also contribute to housing efforts which might include screening outside individuals for provisions of services and attending community meetings
• Case conference facilitation with staff
• Internal compliance management for the various grants funding the work of PSH staff
• Attend required meetings and trainings 
• Perform comparable related duties as required by management 

Supervisory Responsibilities (If Applicable)

The Lead Social Worker will directly supervise the following staff and share in on-call needs related to after hour’s coverage:

• Social Workers
• Case Management and/or Program Management staff working in PSH
• Peer Specialist staff as assigned

Desired Qualifications:

Experience & Education:

• Minimum of 2 years experience providing counseling and other services to people experiencing homelessness and/or those who are formerly homeless with complex care needs.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in multi-disciplinary treatment planning, individual and group psychotherapy, substance abuse counseling and crisis intervention.
• Minimum of a Masters degree in Counseling, Social Work or related field.
• Training in the use of DSM V in order to develop provisional diagnosis.
• Training and familiarity with treatment protocols in Substance abuse, PTSD, Major Depression, Anxiety Disorders and Schizophrenia.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency’s organizational values.
• A thorough understanding of the problems faced by veterans from all eras, especially Vietnam-era and current era veterans, including homelessness, substance abuse/dependence, and post-traumatic stress and adjustment disorders.
• Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills, including conflict resolution, crisis intervention, quality assurance, staff development, and performance appraisal.
• Effective time management skills
• Analytical and organizational ability. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Travel between sites is required (mileage reimbursed).
• Employee must be able to carry out the essential duties of the position within what can be considered reasonable accommodation.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employees who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for all benefits.

• 100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, and dental coverage. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)
• Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan immediate enrollment
• Generous annual paid time off

• 10 sick days
• 13 holidays
• 17 vacation days in the first year & progressive afterwards

• Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.
• 1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

*Employees who work on-call, in a temporary position, or less than 20 hours per week regularly are only eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, paid lunch hour, and San Francisco sick time. Vacation and sick time are pro-rated based upon full-time equivalent percentage.

 Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

  We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. We understand that the veteran community encompasses a multitude of identities, and we believe that our staff and board should as well. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at employeesupport@stp-sf.org. We’re here to help.

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000