Director of Social Services for Homeless Shelter
Summary:
The Director of Social Services is responsible for the overall management and direction of a comprehensive program of social services for a single men’s, women’s or family shelter with the goal of expeditious placement of residents into permanent housing and providing assistance in becoming self-sufficient. Services include assessments, counseling, service planning, and developing and monitoring linkages with programs that provide entitlements and medical, educational, substance abuse, employment, and mental health services. educational, substance abuse, employment, and mental health services. He/she will oversee the day-to-day operation of social services at the work site. He/she will need to work collaboratively with other on-site departments to facilitate effective methods of problem solving and the alignment of strategies.
Responsibilities:
The Director of Social Services is responsible for, but not limited to:
- Provide and ensure delivery of quality services to all clients through direct supervision of a team of Case Managers, Housing Specialists, Recreational Specialist, Social Service Supervisors, Program Coordinator and Employment Specialists
- Coordinate all case management services, including assessments and development and implementation of service plans
- Ensures that staff appropriately identifies the needs of the clients, provide appropriate referrals and ensure case managers follow up with resources
- Ensure assessments, service plans and interactions with the clients are appropriately documented.
- Act as the point person with subcontractors and/or service providers including, but not limited to, medical providers, mental health providers, substance abuse providers and employment services providers
- Identify changing program needs and program gaps and develop new services, service directions, and/or programs to meet client needs
- Ensure all reports are submitted accurately and in a timely manner
- Responsible for ensuring monthly housing targets are met
- Monitor demographic reports to ensure consistency with ILP compliance
- Ensure all employees in Social Services department receive all mandated training and any courses which are indicated for additional professional growth and development as a department or as individuals
- Organize onsite and offsite training opportunities for professional development of staff
- Facilitate weekly meetings with social service staff to address client issues and progress
- Ensure adherence to all requisite regulations and DHS policies and procedures
- Act as a liaison with other department directors
- Provide crisis intervention and stabilization as needed
Professional & Personal Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field with 2+ years of direct social service experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Service, or related field with 4+ years of direct social service experience
- Associate’s degree with 6 plus years of direct social service experience
- Ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends as needed
- Excellent and demonstrated writing ability
- Fluent in English and Spanish a plus
- Strong assessment, direct practice, counseling, supervision, community outreach, group leadership and program development experience preferred
- Advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel and database management skills.
- Knowledge of community resources
- Ability to solve problems, make decisions, resolve conflicts and listen
- Ability to deal calmly in crisis situations
- Proven ability to work collaboratively well with diverse groups
- Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively under pressure
- Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, and efficient
- Maturity, integrity, and sound judgment
