Associate Social Services Director

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Associate Social Services Director

REPORTS TO: Director of Social Services/Director of Site Operations    

LOCATION: Los Angeles

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SALARY: $78,000 - $84,000

Social Services Director

The Associate Director of Social Services provides operational leadership and day-to-day oversight of social services within National Health Foundation’s Recuperative Care programs. Working under the direction of the Director of Social Services, this position supports the delivery of high-quality, client-centered services and ensures consistency in social services practices, documentation, discharge planning, staff performance, and program compliance across assigned locations.

The Associate Director serves as a key leadership resource for Social Services Managers, Coordinators, Associates, interns, and other program staff. The position assists the Director with implementing departmental goals, monitoring program performance, developing staff, resolving complex client and operational concerns, and maintaining effective relationships with hospitals, community partners, housing resources, and other service providers.

This position requires strong leadership, sound judgment, the ability to manage competing priorities, and experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, complex medical needs, behavioral health concerns, substance use disorders, and other barriers to housing stability.

Responsibilities and Initiatives

To support NHF’s Social Services and Recuperative Care programs, the Associate Director of Social Services will:

• Support the Director of Social Services in the overall administration and operation of the Social Services department.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, coaching, and support to Social Services Managers, Coordinators, Associates, interns, and other assigned staff.
• Provide leadership coverage and departmental support in the Director’s absence or as assigned.
• Assist managers with employee performance, workflow, productivity, accountability, and adherence to departmental expectations.
• Partner with People & Culture and the Director of Social Services regarding employee performance concerns, corrective action, training, and staff development.
• Participate in interviewing, onboarding, training, and development of Social Services staff.
• Identify training needs and provide ongoing coaching to strengthen case management, documentation, discharge planning, client engagement, and professional boundaries.
• Promote consistent practices and expectations across NHF Recuperative Care locations.

• Ensure clients receive appropriate, timely, and coordinated social services throughout their stay in the Recuperative Care program. 
• Provide guidance to staff in developing comprehensive and appropriate discharge plans.
• Support staff with complex client situations, crisis intervention, behavioral concerns, housing barriers, and other challenges affecting successful discharge.
• Review cases that require additional leadership intervention and assist staff in identifying appropriate resources and solutions.
• Maintain a small caseload when necessary to support program needs, staffing coverage, or special projects.
• Assist with housing navigation and linkage to community-based services and resources.
• Promote trauma-informed, respectful, and client-centered approaches to service delivery.

• Conduct routine quality assurance reviews of client files, documentation, and service delivery.
• Ensure client notes, assessments, service plans, discharge plans, and other required documentation are complete, timely, accurate, and consistent with program requirements.
• Monitor documentation within applicable databases, electronic charts, and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), when applicable.
• Identify documentation deficiencies and work with managers and staff to implement corrective action.
• Assist with internal audits and preparation for external monitoring, funder reviews, or program audits.
• Monitor trends and recurring concerns and recommend improvements to the Director of Social Services.
• Support consistency in social services policies, procedures, forms, and documentation standards across locations.

• Assist the Director in implementing departmental goals, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support compliance with contractual, grant, regulatory, and organizational requirements applicable to Social Services programs.
• Assist with LAHSA-funded programs and other grants or contracts as assigned.
• Monitor program deliverables, service expectations, and departmental performance indicators.
• Work collaboratively with Recuperative Care leadership, Nursing, Intake, Guest Services & Safety, and other departments to coordinate client care.
• Participate in leadership meetings, case conferences, program reviews, and interdisciplinary meetings as assigned.
• Assist in identifying operational challenges and developing solutions that support quality of care and program objectives.
• Provide leadership support across NHF Recuperative Care locations based on operational needs.

• Assist the Social Services team in establishing and maintaining partnerships with community organizations and resources that support clients during their stay and following discharge.
• Serve as a Social Services liaison with hospital social workers, case managers, housing providers, behavioral health providers, and community partners as assigned.
• Help resolve service coordination concerns between NHF, referring hospitals, and community partners.
• Identify resources related to housing, mental health, substance use treatment, benefits, transportation, healthcare, and other client needs.
• Represent NHF professionally at community meetings, collaborative meetings, and other external activities when assigned by the Director.

• Assist with developing programs, activities, groups, and resources that address client needs, including mental health, substance use recovery, housing stability, health education, and other social determinants of health.
• Support implementation and evaluation of departmental initiatives designed to improve client outcomes and quality of care.
• Identify service gaps and recommend opportunities for program improvement.
• Support the Director with special projects, program expansion, and organizational initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on the operational needs of NHF.

• The Associate Director of Social Services is expected to:
• Demonstrate sound judgment and professionalism when managing sensitive or complex situations.
• Model accountability, respectful communication, confidentiality, and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Provide consistent leadership and direction to staff.
• Address concerns promptly and elevate significant operational, employee, compliance, or client-care concerns to the Director of Social Services.
• Work collaboratively with site and departmental leadership while maintaining consistent Social Services standards across the organization.
• Support a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, teamwork, and quality client care.

Requirements

• Must have Licensure - LCSW.
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, Human Services, or a related field preferred .
• NHF would consider an MSW registered as an ASW (Associate Clinical Social Worker).
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in social services, case management, homeless services, healthcare, behavioral health, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience overseeing social services or case management staff.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, complex medical needs, and other barriers to housing stability strongly preferred.
• Experience working in recuperative care, medical respite, housing, healthcare, or a similar service environment preferred.
• Experience with HMIS, electronic client records, case management databases, or similar systems preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources, housing programs, benefits, behavioral health services, and other supportive services.
• Experience with quality assurance, chart review, program compliance, and staff development preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle complex crisis situations and effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with employees at all organizational levels and with external partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic database systems.

The duties of this position may require frequent standing and walking as well as extended periods of sitting. The employee may be required to bend, stoop, squat, reach, twist, kneel, and push or pull as necessary to perform assigned duties.

The employee must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and work within active client-care environments. Noise levels may be elevated in some program areas. The employee must be able to hear alarms, overhead announcements, and direct verbal communication.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position.

Benefits

National Health Foundation (NHF) is guided by a mission to improve the health of individuals and underserved communities by addressing the social determinants of health and bridging gaps in the healthcare system.

NHF recognizes that health begins where people live, learn, work, and play. Through its programs and partnerships, NHF works to remove barriers to health, support individuals experiencing homelessness, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for individuals to achieve their highest level of health.

The Associate Director of Social Services plays an important role in advancing this mission by helping ensure that clients receive consistent, compassionate, high-quality social services and are connected to the resources necessary to support successful transitions from recuperative care. Visit us to see what we do and the programs we offer.