Assistant Director of Social Services

Job Description

Job Description

Summary Job Description

The Assistant Director of Social Services provides programmatic and administrative leadership to the Social Services Department within the Residential Treatment Center (RTC). The Assistant Director assists in overseeing case planning, permanency planning, family engagement, discharge planning, documentation, regulatory compliance, and supervisory functions to ensure the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed, family-centered services that support positive outcomes for youth.

The position works collaboratively with Residential, Medical, Behavioral Health, Quality Improvement, and external stakeholders including OCFS, ACS, Family Court, and community providers.

About St. John’s

Founded in 1826 as a home for orphaned children, St. John’s has evolved into a nonprofit social services agency providing residential care to New York City youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We offer holistic, trauma-informed support to young people up to age 21. 

Our main campus in Rockaway Park, Queens, houses a Residential Treatment Center, Close to Home Non-Secure Placement programs, administrative offices, clinical services, and an on-site NYC Department of Education school. We also operate a Non-Secure Detention residence in Richmond Hill and Limited Secure Placement programs in Brooklyn and Staten Island. 

St. John’s is dedicated to helping youth heal, grow, and build the skills they need to achieve their goals and return to family or a stable, supportive environment as engaged members of their communities. 

Principle Responsibilities

Departmental Leadership

• Assist in directing the day-to-day operations of the Social Services Department.

• Provide supervision and guidance and support to Social Services staff to ensure quality case practice.

• Promote practices that advance positive outcomes in permanency, well-being, and safety for youth.

• Ensure comprehensive assessments, service plans, progress notes, and case documentation are completed timely and meet agency, ACS, and OCFS standards.

• Review and approve Family Assessment and Service Plans (FASPs), Permanency Hearing and Court reports, discharge plans, and other required documentation.

• Support staff in managing complex behavioral, family, permanency, and crisis situations.

• Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered practice. 

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address the individual needs of youth and families.

Permanency Planning

• Monitor permanency outcomes and ensure timely movement toward reunification, kinship, adoption, APPLA, or other approved permanency goals.

• Ensure meaningful family engagement throughout placement.

• Monitor visitation plans and family contact.

• Participate in permanency conferences and Family Team Conferences.

• Remove barriers delaying permanency.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:

  • NYS OCFS regulations

  • ACS Quality Assurance Standards

  • Medicaid/29-I documentation requirements (if applicable)

  • Justice Center and Critical Incident reporting requirements

  • Agency policy and procedures

  • COA Standards

• Monitor case records for quality and timeliness.

• Prepare for internal and external audits.

• Assist in corrective action planning.

Supervision

Supervise designated staff, which may include:

• Case Planner, MST and Fair Futures Supervisors and their direct reports in their absence. 

• Other assigned personnel

Responsibilities include:

• Performance evaluations

• Coaching

• Training

• Scheduling

• Staff development

• Progressive discipline

• Hiring participation

• Participate in agency committees.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist with departmental scheduling and coverage.

• Participate in hiring.

• Assist in budget oversight.

• Conduct case conferences.

• Participate in executive meetings.

• Participate in agency committees

• Represent the agency/department during internal and external reviews and convenings  

Required Qualifications and Experience

• MSW required with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience with some knowledge of child welfare, preferably in congregate care setting.

• Valid NYS Driver's license preferred.

• Mature, professional, leads by example, with a strong sense of purpose and performance expectations/service excellence. 

• Fidelity to trauma informed care when engaging with resident population and staff alike. 

• Strong writing and communication abilities.

• Proven supervisory success and basic child welfare knowledge. 

• Must be high energy with a bias for action.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.

Accessibility

Some job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may be designed to protect the safety and health of the employee, their fellow employees and the individuals being served and may therefore exclude some individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

St. John’s Residence for Boys provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected group status.