SHELTER DIRECTOR

Applicants must be permanent in the Administrative Director of Social Services civil service title or be permanent in a comparable title eligible for 6.1.9 title change or be reachable with the score of 100 on the open competitive Administrative Director of Social Services exam (#1121).

About the role

The New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is the largest organization in the United States dedicated to preventing and addressing homelessness. In partnership with other City agencies and nonprofit organizations, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it begins, reduce street homelessness, provide temporary shelter, and connect individuals and families to stable housing—all with a focus on accountability, empathy, and equity. The Division of Shelter Operations oversees the day-to-day operations of the Agency’s Single Adult, Adult Families, and Families with Children shelter systems, both directly run and contracted providers.

This position functions as the Shelter Director, ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of DHS clients and on-site staff while monitoring the physical site for cleanliness. The role oversees full compliance with all applicable legal mandates, agency standards, and regulatory requirements, including NYC Building Department codes, NYC Fire Department regulations, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) rules, NYS Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) regulations, and the Callahan Consent Decree governing clients' shelter rights.

The Shelter Director guarantees effective management of program capacity, oversees timely bed assignments, and coordinates with Vacancy Control to report shelter census and bed availability. They manage the provision of Social Services, ensuring programmatic goals are met, clients’ needs are addressed, and independent living plans are developed and executed. The role includes participating in weekly case conferences, managing external relationships with community groups, and supervising administrative functions to ensure adherence to City and Agency policies.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, safety, and welfare of DHS clients and on-site staff.
• Monitor the physical site to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness.
• Oversee compliance with legal mandates, agency standards, and regulatory requirements (e.g., NYC Building Department codes, NYC Fire Department regulations, OTDA rules, PESH regulations, Callahan Consent Decree).
• Manage program capacity and oversee timely bed assignments for new and returning clients.
• Coordinate with Vacancy Control to report shelter census and bed availability.
• Provide direction and support to ensure programmatic goals and clients’ social service needs are met.
• Develop, monitor, and execute independent living plans for clients.
• Participate in weekly case conferences with social services staff to address and resolve deficiencies.
• Manage external relationships with community groups and the local Community Board to address concerns and promote good relations.
• Supervise administrative functions to ensure adherence to City and Agency policies (e.g., time and leave regulations, absence control, overtime allocations).
• Foster compliance with the Agency Code of Conduct and enforce applicable City, State, and Federal directives.

Schedule

Based on 24/7 coverage hours/shift: 8am–4pm, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four years of progressively responsible experience in a large governmental agency, business firm, civic, or community organization operating in the area of social services, including one year at the administrative or managerial level. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute as follows:

• A master’s degree in accounting, business, child welfare, counseling, economics, education, finance, human resources, labor relations, management, management science, nursing, operations research, organizational behavior, personnel or public administration, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, statistics, and/or urban studies may substitute for two years of experience.
• Graduate education beyond the baccalaureate degree may substitute at the rate of 30 semester credits for each year of experience, up to a maximum of three years.
• A valid New York State Registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) may substitute for three years of experience. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree and one year of administrative or managerial experience.

Preferred Skills

• Extensive Social Services background.
• Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Fire Safety Coordinator Training is a plus.

Pay

$75,443.00 – $119,696.00

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Public Service Loan Forgiveness may be available for prospective employees of the City of New York. New York City residency is not required for this position.