Assistant Director of Social Services - Good Shepherd Services

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year – and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success.  At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain’s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference! 

Benefits/Perks:

• For LMSW, ability to work towards LCSW licensure hours
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Generous paid time off (Including 5 Self-Care Days/Floating Holidays, 12 Sick Days, 15 Vacation Days, and 11 Holidays)
• Healthcare Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Pet Care)
• 403(b) Plan (GSS contributes 3% of your salary to your 403(b) plan after 3 years of service, with contributions increasing over time)

In the context of youth-centered, family-focused practice to promote safety, permanency and well-being, the Assistant Director of Social Services provides comprehensive leadership and oversight of casework practice in the residential rapid intervention center and group residence. The Assistant Director of Social Services is responsible for the direct oversight of program case planners and monitoring all aspects of their job duties and tasks. The Assistant Director of Social Services is also responsible for assessing training needs, professional development and high-quality case work practice integration. The Assistant Director of Social Services will ensure all case management services are being fulfilled and consistent with Good Shepherd Services’ philosophy and within city and state mandates. The Assistant Director of Social Services is also responsible for the supervision of the Educational/ Vocational Specialist and the Mentoring Coordinator. Additional duties below.

Reports to:    Director of Social Services

Location:       337 East 17th St., New York, New York 10003

Hours:           35 Hours- Exempt 

Salary:           $81,000 to $95,000 Annually. Based on post graduate experience and NYS LMSW.

Major Duties:   

• Supervise residential program case planners in the full range of services leading to the best plan for each youth, assuring high attention to safety, permanency and well-being throughout all aspects of their work with youth and family.
• Train and orient new case planners to all aspects of case planning: responsibilities, city and state mandates, GSS frameworks and best-practices, paperwork, report-writing and accurate documentation into CNNX.
• Assure case planners are fully equipped to conduct home visits with families/significant others of youth after admission for observation, monitoring purposes and to facilitate reconciliation, reunification and permanency.
• Supervise case planners’ assessment of safety and risk of youth and family while at home and assure home safety assessments are completed accurately and in a timely manner. Provide weekly individual supervision and bi-weekly group supervision to case planners.
• Provide a detailed review of weekly case work contacts monthly, cross-reference in CNNX and provide feedback to case planners on the outcome of the review. Complete monthly supervisory notes in CNNX.
• Monitor case planners’ calendars and assist with organized planning to ensure compliance with all contact requirements and paperwork timeliness – including, but not limited to, case work contacts, FASP, PHR, PYA completion and submission, AWOL procedures are being followed appropriately, and diligent efforts are being made by case planner to assure high quality case planning practice.
• Provide thorough review of case planner paperwork and reports for accuracy and assure safety, permanency and well-being indicators are being assessed and properly aligned to documentation. Coordinate with Senior Quality Coordinator and Program Evaluation and Planning.
• Network with community contacts for the purpose of making needed service referrals to the best quality of providers.
• Participate in department and program meetings including Treatment Team, Service Plan Reviews, Residential Life Team Meetings and Trauma Informed Planning meetings.
• Advocate for participants and staff with New York Children’s Services and the Courts as needed.
• Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools such as safety plans, community meetings, psycho-education groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences and self-care in the department/program to create a nonviolent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a nonviolent and trauma sensitive culture.
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) Framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment.
• Utilize Sanctuary Model principals in the supervisory practice.
• Assist with stabilization, respite and crisis management and provide on-call services throughout the evenings and weekends, when necessary.
• Work closely with ACS Office of Placement to review and approve referrals and intake; coordinate intake efforts within the department 24/7, structuring and supporting an on-call schedule.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• LMSW required with strong organization and communication skills, flexible and able to make independent decisions. 
• LCSW Preferred. 
• Supervisory experience required; 3 to 5 years strongly preferred.
• Must have a strong working knowledge of case work practice within ACS child welfare system.
• Experience in CNNX (Connections), LTS (Legal Tracking System), PHR (Permanency Hearing Reports), FASP (Family Assessment and Service Plan), etc.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and on-call availability when required.
• Ability to be flexible to provide emergency coverage when needed (e.g., conduct home visits, attend court hearings, etc.)
• Ability to use public transportation to travel throughout New York City.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth development and trauma-informed perspective.

ed, youth development and trauma-informed perspective.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.