Director of Social Services

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a site-specific social service plan tailored to the needs of the 133 formerly homeless residents with verified mental illness
• Conduct at least two engagements per resident per month, including one in-home visit, to support housing retention, wellness, and community integration
• Serve as the lead coordinator with Breaking Ground and Women In Need, overseeing service delivery and ensuring contractual obligations and performance benchmarks are met
• Track, monitor, and report on resident engagement, incident response, and service provider effectiveness
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with residents to promote a culture of safety, accountability, and respect
• Collaborate with property management and compliance teams to address lease violations, nonpayment issues, and tenant concerns in a trauma-informed and housing-first approach
• Coordinate with additional CityFHEPS applicants placed through the housing lottery who may not have a set-aside preference but will need guidance and supportive services as they transition into housing
• Facilitate regular case conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings to align property management and social service goals
• Lead crisis response planning and coordinate with external agencies (EMS, mental health, and housing stability partners) as needed
• Identify service gaps and propose solutions, including staff training, process improvements, or external referrals
• Maintain up-to-date records, assessments, and documentation in compliance with privacy and confidentiality regulations
• Participate in audits, reviews, and reporting requirements related to funding or oversight entities

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Psychology, Public Health, or a related field preferred; Bachelor’s degree required
• 5+ years of experience working with vulnerable or formerly homeless populations, particularly those with mental illness
• Strong understanding of supportive housing, housing-first practices, and trauma-informed care
• Experience managing or coordinating with contracted social service providers in a residential setting
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Strong organizational and data management abilities; proficiency with Microsoft Office and client case management systems
• Familiarity with NYC housing systems and public agency partnerships (e.g., DHS, HPD, HRA)
• Bilingual Spanish/English a plus