Director of Social Services - Rockaway Terrac - Lantern Community Services Inc

Reports to: Shelter Director

Status: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Location: Far Rockaway, NY

Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000

We are seeking an experienced and progressive Director of Social Services for our family shelter. This position oversees the Clinical and Social Services functions to optimize the quality of care to residents in accordance with DHS regulatory and accreditation requirements. The ideal candidate will develop and supervise two Social Service teams, each consisting of Social Workers, Case managers and Housing Specialists. The DSS will be responsible for implementing best practices to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the residents to ensure their ability to gain and maintain housing stability, and works closely with the Shelter Director to develop, implement, track, report, and evaluate measurable outcomes.

Essential Functions:

• Design and Management: Develop and oversee a comprehensive social service program tailored to support the diverse needs of residents, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centered services.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to address the multifaceted needs of the shelter population, fostering a holistic approach to care.
• Therapeutic Interventions: Provide therapeutic interventions to assist residents in coping with social and psychological challenges, including chronic illnesses, disabilities, and the effects of institutionalization.
• Documentation: Maintain meticulous and accurate written documentation in resident files, adhering to organizational policies and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
• Evaluations and Assessments: Conduct thorough initial evaluations and assessments of residents' psychosocial needs, ensuring comprehensive and required documentation is completed.
• Liaison Role: Act as a liaison among residents, families, and external agencies to advocate for and uphold residents' rights, facilitating effective communication and support.
• Policy Adherence: Function in a managerial capacity, strictly adhering to all shelter policies and procedures, and ensuring staff compliance.
• Administrative Tasks: Complete essential administrative tasks, including necessary forms, reports, and other documentation, maintaining organizational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Discharge Planning: Facilitate discharge planning processes, developing organized and effective discharge plans for all residents to ensure smooth transitions and continued support.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure the shelter complies with all legal, safety, health, fire, and sanitation codes. Be thoroughly familiar with and effectively execute the shelter's fire, safety, and disaster plans.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master's in social work (MSW) or Mental Health Counseling (MHC) REQUIRED. Please note license required within 1 year (LMSW/LMHC)
• Minimum of 2 years of social service supervisory experience REQUIRED.
• Significant experience in a DHS Shelter, CARES and/or Salesforce proficiency PREFERRED.
• Experience with families, migrant population, etc. highly preferred
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish, French, etc.)

Work Environment: This job operates in a shelter site and works with a population who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/ or kneel. Occasionally the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note:

Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities. Lantern welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and experiences regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, pregnancy, religion, immigration status, veteran status, class, creed, mental or physical disability, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law.