Director, Social Services

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE

Director of Social Services/Assistant Director is for the development and delivery on comprehensive social services to clients referred to Children Rescue Fund by the NYC DHS-Division of family services designed to stabilize homeless families by strengthening their independent living skills and achieving their rapid and successful placement into permanent housing. Serve as a member of the management team that works cooperatively to achieve program goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the human resources functions for the Social Services unit to develop a team of skilled, informed, professional staff, including recruitment, training, supervision, evaluation and staff scheduling in order to achieve the objectives of both CRF and Agency Funders.
• The Director of Social Services is directly responsible to ensure that each member of social services staff has hands-on working knowledge of all DHS Procedures, New York State Part 900 Regulations, OTDA, CRF Rules and Regulations, and all other pertinent laws/programs related to providing comprehensive social services and permanent housing to CRF clients.
• Coordinates and leads team meetings.
• Leads and coordinates client education and socialization groups; and case conferences.
• Ensure the timely collection, preparation and analysis of client and program information, to generate routine and as needed reports, to evaluate program performance and to facilitate short and long-term planning.
• Oversee and supervise Social Services Department in the utilization of the DHS Client Assistance and Re-Housing System (CARES) System regarding Intake, Shelter Assessment, Service Plans/Independent Living Plans, Provider Housing, Transfers and Client Responsibility, Incident Reports, case conferences, meeting DHS Housing Placement Targets.
• Utilizing the DHS CARES System Supervisory functions to monitor delivery of services to clients and completion of work by Case Management staff.
• Supervise the Social Service Department to ensure effective facilitation of job establishment by the utilization of job training and employment referrals.
• Ensure that the families are living in a safe, clean and hazard free environment by ensuring that the casework staff are conducting weekly/bi-weekly unit inspections. Communicating and documenting of all observations and maintenance repairs that need to be addressed.
• Intervene or direct staff intervention in appropriate situations to resolve problems effectively.
• Work in collaboration with other departments (safety security, building operations, CCC, Childcare departments) to develop independent skills workshops.
• Coordinate an interagency network of both on- and off-site providers to ensure families’ receipt of appropriate medical, nutritional, educational and specialized mental health assistance.
• Work in collaboration with the Program Directors to develop and implement social service policies and procedures to guide and direct the delivery of services, including relocation goals and strategies.
• Perform other duties and special projects as required including serving on-call for a one-week period each quarter.
• Will be required to work evenings.

MEASURABLE AREAS

• Ability to team lead and provide effective supervision, guidance and oversight of subordinates.
• Timely report of critical/priority one incidents to DHS
• Ability to respond and troubleshoot crisis situations.
• Comply and promote compliance with all agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture.
• Closely monitor open/closed Public Assistance cases on a weekly basis.
• Closely monitor certified (housing) and high-income families.
• Closely monitor all apartments viewed/visited by clients weekly (in the absence of the housing coordinator)
• Closely monitor and track appointments kept/missed, specifically as it relates to ILP’s and housing related matters (in the absence of a casework supervisor and/or housing coordinator).
• Work towards the achievement of DHS weekly, monthly and quarterly target goals of moving families into permanent housing in conjunction with social services department.
• Closely monitor special population such as newborn, ACS, medical, mental health and domestic violence case, up to sex offenders.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitate effective communication with other staff within an interdisciplinary context, participate in and contribute to staff meetings and the development of policies and procedures.
• Participate in training and staff-development activities to acquire and maintain both interpersonal and operational skills necessary for successful job performance.
• Serve as a Super User in the DHS CARES System to assist the program staff with trouble-shooting problems in the system.
• Ensure that staff attends CORE trainings within (6) months of employment, such as the ACS Mandated Reporter Training, CARES Getting Started, CARES Assessments, CARES Independent Living Planning, CARES Incident Reporting, Safe Sleep Training, Mental Health First Aide Training and Intimate Partner Violence.
• Director of Social Services must be on 24 call 7 days a week for Priority one incidents.
• Comply and promote compliance with all agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture.
• On occasion will be required to attend community board meetings.

PRINCIPAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Frequent significant contact with paid and volunteer staff designed to ensure effective performance and professional growth.
• Regular contact with other department personnel and providers to ensure program services are effectively delivered to clients.
• Regular contact with clients on complex issues that require expertise or processing by a senior professional.
• Regular significant contact with other agencies in order to ensure clients receive needed services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Social Work preferred.
• NYS Licensure (LCSW or LMSW) Required.
• Minimum of three (3) years as a Social Worker and two years’ experience in a supervisory and administrative capacity, including experience in clinical interventions with families and disadvantaged populations, group work practice, substance abuse issues and housing programs.
• Skill in supervising the work of professionals including their development.
• Skill in securing client entitlements through knowledge of housing regulations and homeless programs.
• Excellent analytical, evaluative, and human service management skills.
• Excellent organizational and supervisory skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills coupled with strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in MS Office, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (including Physical Demands)

• May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule.
• Travelling throughout various locations in the New York City area.

• Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EEO Statement – Children’s Rescue Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

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