Director of Social Services

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Social Services Reports to: Program Director

Department: Social Services Pay Range: $80,000 - $85,000 annually [commensurate with experience]

FLSA Status: r Exempt Job Type: r Full-time

Benefits:  Medical/Dental/Vision

401K

PTO/Vacation Days

Location: Manhattan, NY

Program:

JOB OVERVIEW

The director of social services oversees case management, housing, and employment/benefits within the Social Services unit at transitional family residences for homeless families. This role includes providing crisis intervention services to residents, supervising staff, and offering support. The role may require availability during early evening hours and occasional weekends.

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES

The employee is expected to exemplify Midway Living’s policies and procedures with steadfast dedication, serving as a model of compliance within and beyond the organization. They embody the values and standards of Midway Living, setting an example for colleagues. With a meticulous approach to managing their workload, tasks are consistently completed promptly and efficiently. The employee demonstrates exemplary attendance and reliability, consistently arriving on time and rarely missing work, ensuring assignments are carried out with timeliness, accuracy, and thoroughness. Effective communication, both verbal and written, defines their interactions with superiors, colleagues, and external parties. They prioritize building and nurturing relationships, fostering productive collaborations with superiors and colleagues while maintaining professionalism and constructive engagement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Guide the Social Services team in delivering comprehensive service provision to clients via one-on-one and group sessions. 
• Conduct weekly or bi-weekly supervision sessions with all direct reports.
• Recruit and train new staff members.
• Prepare for, participate in, and/or lead internal and DHS client case conferences.
• Ensure that performance evaluations of direct reports are conducted after probationary period/annually, and that they are reviewed accordingly.
• Identify and enroll staff in relevant trainings and facilitate in-service training sessions.
• Collaborate with the program director and others to develop integrated programming.
• Collaborate with the housing specialist to identify suitable housing resources.
• Participate in reporting, investigating, and documenting all significant incidents to the program director, and relevant reporting agencies (DHS, ACS, NYPD, etc.), in compliance with all applicable regulations and laws.
• Enforce DHS/Midway Living rules, policies, and guidelines through proactive outreach and counseling with clients.
• Resolve conflicts between direct reports, program staff members, or staff and residents through mediation.
• Identify, assess, and establish service connections with community-based providers.
• Conduct bi-weekly orientation meetings for new residents.
• Participate in unit inspections to assess client household skills and activities of daily living (ADLs), and lead the team in addressing any clinical concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Assist in developing program activities such as weekly support groups and recreational events for residents.
• Plan, develop, and oversee group activities aimed at improving the skills and self-esteem of program participants.
• Provide direct client services as necessary, including covering cases during staff absences.
• Gather and provide statistical data to the program director to support both internal and external reporting needs.
• Respond promptly to requests for information from DHS, or any external entity, in consultation with the program director.
• Ensure that case files are well-organized, and client records are accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with all DHS specifications.
• Add supervisory notes to CARES. 
• Monitors the appropriateness, timeliness, and accuracy of clients' Independent Living Plans.
• Maintain and update the unit's resource database.
• Regularly update progress on the Midway Living portal.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in social work or a related field with at least three years of supervisory experience in Case Management; or a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five years of supervisory experience in Case Management
• Preferred experience working with homeless families and/or residential services

QUALIFICATIONS & PREFERRED SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal skills, managerial, and administrative skills
• Effective organizer and communicator
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to adapt to new software applications
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred
• Capable of working independently or collaboratively