Director of Social Work Services

About the Role

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund (Fresh Air) has been a leading youth development organization providing transformative opportunities for children and young adults from New York City's underserved communities. Rooted in the belief that access to nature and outdoor experiences can change lives, Fresh Air connects young people to the outdoors while providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and exploration. Through free summer camp and school-year leadership development, educational enrichment, and career exploration programs, Fresh Air helps young people develop the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive. Serving more than 1.8 million children throughout its history, Fresh Air remains committed to expanding access to life-changing experiences that empower young people to reach their full potential. At Fresh Air, employees are driven by purpose, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating opportunities that help young people succeed.

Position Summary

The Director of Social Work Services is a clinical leader responsible for all work that will ensure the emotional, social, and psychological well-being of all Fresh Air youth participants (ages 8–16) and program staff. This is a full-time position based in New York City, with specific on-site requirements during the summer residential camping season.

Responsibilities

School-Year:

• Working with the Enrollment Team to recruit youth for camp
• Meeting with parents as needed to support enrollment
• Creating and continually refining training for all social work staff and camping staff regarding social work
• Creating and refining protocols for social work staff
• Hiring of all summer social work staff
• As necessary, assist with interviewing camp and school-year program staff

Summer:

• Clinical Team Leadership: Provide direct administrative and clinical supervision to a team of 12 camp social workers. Conduct daily case consultations, manage rotation schedules, and coordinate 24/7 crisis response coverage across the camp property
• Crisis Management & Intervention: Act as the final escalation point for severe mental health crises, extreme homesickness, self-harm risks, behavior flare-ups, and emotional trauma. Implement immediate stabilization strategies
• Overnight Camp Operations: Oversee clinical approaches to unique residential challenges, including bedtime anxiety, overnight cabin dynamics, peer conflicts, and socialization barriers across diverse age groups (8–16)
• Pre-Camp Staff Orientation: Design and deliver comprehensive training modules for social work staff, general camp counselors, and specialized staff. Topics include behavior management, active listening, mandatory reporting protocols, and youth boundary rules
• Parent & Family Communication: Lead sensitive, high-level communications with parents and legal guardians regarding camper adjustments, severe behavioral challenges, mental health incidents, and coordinated care transitions
• Documentation & Compliance: Establish and maintain secure, confidential digital logging systems for all clinical interactions, incident reports, behavioral contracts, and communication logs in accordance with professional ethical standards

Qualifications

• Licensure: Must be licensed in NY as an LCSW or as a qualified licensed psychologist
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of post-graduate, youth-focused clinical work, with at least 2 years in a direct supervisor, administrator, or clinical coordinator framework
• Residential Knowledge: Prior experience working within a residential framework, such as an overnight summer camp, boarding school, or youth residential treatment program, is highly desirable
• Core Skills: Exceptional crisis de-escalation skills, comprehensive knowledge of child and adolescent developmental milestones, strong administrative capabilities, and the stamina to thrive in a high-energy, 24/7 environment
• Vaccinations: Must meet applicable vaccination requirements, including polio, MMR, TDap, and varicella, and comply with any additional requirements as public health issues arise

Benefits

The Fresh Air Fund offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and employer and employee retirement contribution plans.

Pay

The salary for this position is $110,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

From mid-August – mid-June, this position requires three days a week in the NYC office. From mid-June through mid-August, it requires 24/7 on-site presence at Sharpe Reservation (Fishkill, NY) and Camp Junior (Harriman State Park).