Director of Social Services ( Temporary )

SUMMARY

The Director of Social Services (DSS) provides executive leadership and full accountability for all social services, case management, housing services, resident engagement, and program compliance within a 24-hour New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter. The DSS also oversees the delivery of trauma informed, culturally responsive, resident centered services while ensuring full compliance with NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Human Resources Administration (HRA), New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), and Cherokee Federal policies and procedures. The DSS serves as the senior leader for the Social Services Department and is responsible for supervising Community Associate Supervisors (Case Management Supervisors), Housing Specialists, Recreational Specialists, Case Managers, and other assigned staff. The Director develops high performing teams, establishes systems of accountability, monitors program performance, ensures documentation quality, and drives measurable resident outcomes through housing placement, independent living planning, and successful exits from shelter.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes the following:

Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and accountability for all social service operations within the shelter.

• Supervise Community Associate Supervisors, Housing Specialists, Recreational Specialists, Case Managers, and assigned social service personnel.

• Conduct regular supervision, coaching, performance evaluations, corrective action, professional development planning, and succession planning.

• Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration, professionalism, continuous improvement, and resident centered service delivery.

• Build and maintain strong interdisciplinary partnerships with Operations, Security, Facilities, Administration, and external providers.

Program Management

• Oversee all case management functions including intake, psychosocial assessments, Independent Living Plans (ILPs), progress notes, referrals, case conferences, housing planning, discharge planning, and aftercare.

• Ensure all residents receive timely and comprehensive services in accordance with DHS standards and contractual requirements.

• Ensure residents are actively engaged in service planning and housing readiness activities.

• Monitor staff caseload distribution and workload management to ensure quality service delivery.

Performance Management

Develop, monitor, and improve departmental performance through routine analysis of key performance indicators including:

• Independent Living Plan (ILP) completion rates
• Timeliness of psychosocial assessments
• Progress note compliance
• Housing placements/Housing package submission quality/ Housing package return rates
• CARES documentation compliance/ HOME system compliance
• HRA housing subsidy outcomes/ HRA supportive housing referrals
• CAPS/CAPCAP documentation
• Client engagement
• Length of stay/ Recidivism
• Resident exits/Audit findings
• Staff productivity

Develop corrective action plans whenever performance indicators fall below DHS or Cherokee expectations.

Housing Services

• Oversee all housing placement initiatives and permanent housing strategies.
• Supervise Housing Specialists and monitor housing productivity.
• Ensure all housing packages are complete, accurate, and submitted timely.
• Monitor CityFHEPS, supportive housing, NYCHA, HPD, SOTA (where applicable), and other housing subsidy applications.
• Build collaborative relationships with brokers, landlords, supportive housing providers, HRA, HPD, and community partners to maximize housing opportunities.

Documentation and Quality Assurance

• Ensure all documentation meets DHS, HRA, OTDA, and agency standards.
• Conduct routine chart audits.
• Review ILPs, psychosocial assessments, progress notes, referrals, housing packages, CARES documentation, and case records.
• Develop quality improvement initiatives based on audit findings.
• Monitor documentation timeliness and accuracy through ongoing quality assurance reviews.

The DSS is accountable for achieving and sustaining DHS performance standards related to documentation quality, housing outcomes, subsidy approvals, audit readiness, and resident engagement.

Community Partnerships

Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with:

• Department of Homeless Services (DHS)/Human Resources Administration (HRA)/Administration for Children's Services (ACS)/ Department of Education (DOE)/Office of Mental Health (OMH)

• OASAS

• Hospitals

• Behavioral Health Providers

• Immigration Legal Services

• Community Based Organizations/ Community Partners

• Workforce Development Programs

• Housing Providers

• Faith Based Organizations

Incident Management/Follow-up

• Ensure all social service related incidents are documented and managed in accordance with DHS Incident Management Guidelines.

• Coordinate incident follow up with the DHS Serious Incident Unit (SIU).

• Ensure required documentation, investigations, resident follow up, and corrective actions are completed timely.

• Participate in interdisciplinary incident reviews and quality improvement initiatives.

Staff Development

• Mentor emerging leaders within the department.

• Develop training plans to improve documentation quality, housing outcomes, resident engagement, and regula