Director of Social Services

The Director of Social Services is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic oversight of social service operations within the shelter. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, client-centered, and trauma-informed services that support residents in achieving stability, independence, and successful housing outcomes. 

Reporting to the Site Director, the Director of Social Services supervises social services staff and oversees all aspects of case management, service planning, and program implementation. The position ensures compliance with all applicable city, state, and agency regulations, including DHS, OTDA, and HASA requirements, while maintaining accurate documentation, audit readiness, and performance standards. 

The Director of Social Services collaborates closely with operations and interdisciplinary teams to promote a safe, supportive, and coordinated service environment. Through strong leadership, data-driven decision-making, and continuous quality improvement, this role advances program effectiveness and ensures that services are responsive to the diverse needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

• Collaborate with site leadership to assess program effectiveness, identify service gaps, and support the development of strategies to address performance challenges. 
• Builds and maintains partnerships with external agencies to support client referrals and access to additional services. 
• Engages in ongoing professional development through training, seminars, and courses related to homelessness services, cultural competency, counseling, and workforce development. 
• Compiles, submits reports and supporting documentation in alignment with internal and external funding requirements. 
• Conduct consistent, structured supervision with staff and support professional development. 
• Facilitate staff meetings, and monthly Client Community meeting and attend Community Board Meetings. 
• Contributes to data collection efforts to measure productivity and prepares monthly, quarterly and annual statistical reports. 
• Oversee Social Service staff including but not limited to Case Managers and Housing Specialists, ensuring clients receive high-quality, trauma-informed client-centered appropriate services.
• Provide hands-on support in complex or urgent situations, guiding staff in connecting clients facing critical needs to resources that help preserve housing stability. 
• Lead the Social Services team in all aspects of service provision to our clients, including but not limited to facilitating Case Conferences, CARES Reviews and case audits. 
• Oversee incident reporting, service plan reviews, assessments, and program records. 
• Identify, evaluate, and establish service linkages with community-based providers. 
• Enforce DHS/HSNY rules, policies, and guidelines through staff outreach and client counseling. 
• Facilitate and mediate conflicts between staff members or between staff and residents to ensure a safe, professional, and supportive environment. 
• Report, investigate, and document all significant incidents to the Shelter Director, HSNY Executive Team, and applicable agencies (DHS, ACS, NYPD, etc.). 
• Respond in a timely manner to requests for information from HSNY, DHS, or external entities in consultation with the Shelter Director. 
• Participate in weekly/bi-weekly supervision sessions with the Shelter Director. 
• Ensure performance evaluations of direct reports are completed annually or at the end of the probationary period for new hires. 
• Carry a caseload and provide coverage as needed to ensure continuity of services. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for emergencies, maintaining 24/7 on-call availability or coordinating shared coverage with the Site Director.  
• Assume all duties as required in the absence of the Shelter Director. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree is required, with at least three years of supervisory experience preferred. Candidates must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Spanish (written and spoken) is highly desirable. Knowledge in at least one of the following areas is required: homelessness, criminal justice, HIV/AIDS, or substance use. Knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint and other database programs Familiarity with the CARES database and prior related training is considered an asset. 

SKILLS  

• Strong work Ethic, initiative for quality service, ability to multitask, solid computer skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively. 

Adheres to Housing Solutions of New York Policies and Procedures. Acts as a role model within and outside the agency. Performs duties as workload necessitates.

Attendance and dependability; the employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work.

Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate and through manner and is conscientious about assignments.

Communication and Contact: the employee communicate both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside Housing Solutions of New York.

Relationships with others; the employee works and communicates effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside Housing Solutions of New York.

The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

Employee adheres to mission statement and guiding principals.

The work environment described here is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, use hands or fingers, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, kneel, talk, or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and distance vision. Must be able to travel within the five boroughs of New York City using all modes of public transportation. 

Send your resume to [recruitment@hsofny.org] with the name of the position in the subject line.