Social Work Director

Social Work Director

The YWCA of the City of New York (YWCA NYC) is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Established in 1858, the YWCA NYC is one of the nation's oldest nonprofit organizations committed to the personal and social development of women, their families, and their communities. In honor of this history, and in service of our mission, the YWCA NYC currently provides leadership and advocacy training for young women through our Girls Initiatives program, and youth development through our Out-of-School Time (OST) program for elementary and middle school students in culturally diverse communities in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The YWCA-NYC's OST Programs empower the community by giving children the necessary tools to succeed in all facets of life. This is accomplished through creating strong partnerships with the schools, families, children, and community leaders. We strive to positively impact our school community by providing support to children academically, socially, culturally, and physically through a strong model of youth development.

We are seeking a Social Work Director to lead mental health services across our school-based OST programs for elementary and middle school students. The ideal candidate will be licensed (LMSW/LCSW), qualified to supervise MSW interns, and experienced providing individual, group, and family counseling to children and adolescents with diverse behavioral and mental health needs. This role will oversee our NYU partnership and internship program, coordinate mental health referrals and resources, and design/deliver training and professional development for out-of-school-time staff to strengthen trauma-informed, inclusive, and evidence-based practices.

Start Date: August 1, 2026 Schedule: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Job Type: Full-time, Salary Exempt Salary: $85K-$95K Location: Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mental health and wellness initiatives across COMPASS and SONYC programs, ensuring alignment with DYCD standards and YWCA expectations.
• Design and oversee implementation of SEL curriculum and restorative practices across after-school programs to increase youth wellbeing.
• Develop and maintain Crisis Navigation Plans, Mental Health Referral Plans, and DYCD-required student support protocols.
• Provide coaching and technical assistance in de-escalation, restorative approaches, crisis intervention, and support for students with behavioral or emotional needs.
• Facilitate professional development on trauma-informed care, youth mental health, restorative practices, SEL implementation, mandated reporting, behavioral intervention practices and crisis response.
• Oversee Tier supports implementation across programs.
• Track and monitor de-identified referral, intervention, and support service data in line with DYCD reporting requirements.
• Contribute to program evaluation, data collection, and continuous quality improvement.
• Coordinate referrals to internal and external mental health and social service providers.

Supervision & Practicum Instruction

• Supervise Practicum instruction and oversee all social work interns across programs (3–6 MSW interns): provide weekly individual supervision (minimum 1 hour per intern), review process recordings and written assignments, conduct mid- and end-term evaluations, and document supervision activities to meet university and CSWE requirements.
• Serve as primary liaison with university Practicum offices (ensure SIFI compliance), coordinate intern placements and learning plans, coach interns on clinical skills and ethical practice, and model anti-oppressive/ADEI supervision practices to ensure competency development and high-quality practicum experiences.
• Oversee student learning experiences, ensure assignments support MSW competencies, and mentor interns in anti-oppressive practice.
• Provide onsite coaching, modeling, and feedback to interns; coordinate seminar/instruction requirements.
• Coordinate with Inclusion Coordinator to support students with IEPs/504s and develop Individualized Accommodation Plans (IAPs).

Requirements

• Serve as a qualified Practicum Instructor: must be a graduate of an accredited MSW program, have at least two years post-graduate professional experience, hold current appropriate licensure (LMSW or LCSW), and have completed or be enrolled in Seminar in Practicum Instruction (SIFI).
• Minimum three (3) years post-master's clinical experience (direct services with children/adolescents preferred).
• Familiarity with special education practices and working with IEPs/504s.
• Strong communication, conflict management, data collection/analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
• Experience supervising MSW interns and providing practicum instruction in a university practicum context.
• Experience working in school settings and collaborating with NYC DOE/NYCPS staff and community providers.
• Commitment to anti-oppressive, ADEI practices and culturally responsive care.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Clearances & Training Requirements

• Maintain throughout employment: DCJS Sex Offender Registry (SOR) check, DOHMH clearance, NYS Central Register (SCR) clearance, NYS Staff Exclusion List (SEL), Criminal History Review.

The hours for this position will fluctuate depending on the school's needs, general operation hours can range from 9:00am – 7:00pm. This role requires occasional travel across New York City.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping all day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds. During fire drills, the employee, unless physically unable, will need to use the stairs to go to ground level from the fourth floor. Typing is required for composing emails and writing reports. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The YWCA of the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer and contractor. We provide equal employment and contracting opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibit 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 characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.