Job Title: Director of Social Services

Reports to: Shelter Director

Status: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Location: Ozone Park, Queens

Objective:

We are seeking an experienced and progressive Director of Social Services for our men's mental health 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 Manager(s), Housing Specialists and Peer Engagement 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:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  Plan and direct a comprehensive social service program which provides support services for residents.
• Participate in an interdisciplinary team approach to better serve the needs of the shelter population.
• Provide for therapeutic intervention to help residents cope with the social and psychological aspects of their illnesses, impairments, or disabilities as well as their feelings about institutionalization and separation from family, community, physical and emotional loss.
• Maintain written documentation in the resident(s) folder per the organizations policy.
• Perform an initial evaluation/assessment of each resident's psychosocial needs. Written documentation is required for each resident.
• Act as a liaison between residents, families and outside agencies to ensure the resident rights are maintained and upheld.
• Function in a management capacity and adheres to all policies and procedures of the shelter.
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms and reports
• Facilitate discharge planning including the development of an organized discharge plan for all residents.
• Ensure that the shelter adheres to legal, safety, health, fire and sanitation codes by being familiar with his/her role in carrying out the shelter's fire, safety and disaster plans
  

Required Education and Experience:

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field, LMSW preferred.

• 2-3 years of experience working in a shelter setting.
• 2-3 years of supervisory experience required.
• Experience with electronic case management systems and demonstrated ability to utilize and review data to inform best practices in service provision.
• Knowledge of mental health, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and chronic homelessness is required.
• Ability to work well under pressure, including crisis situations, and be flexible with work schedule when necessary.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
  

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.