Assistant Director, Programs, Safe Options Support (SOS), The Rockaways

Breaking Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Breaking Ground seeks an Assistant Director, Programs for the Safe Options Support (SOS) contract. The role leads the SOS team, coordinates outreach, and supports housing placement strategies using CTI, Harm Reduction, and Motivational Interviewing.

Collaboration with nursing staff, external providers, and city agencies is essential. Key duties include supervising Clinical Coordinators and Community Health Specialists, guiding crisis interventions, and ensuring policy-compliant operations.

Qualifications

• NYS Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) required; LMSW must be obtained within six months.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience.
• In-depth understanding of Housing First, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction and CTI models.
• Experience with crisis intervention, risk assessments and incident management.
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to delegate and motivate staff to achieve deliverables.
• Strong verbal and written communication with diverse populations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Access-based databases.
• Valid NY driver’s license preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SOS team operations and outreach activities in [LOCATION].
• Supervise Clinical Coordinators and Community Health Specialist.
• Provide structured supervision meetings and ensure program quality.
• Coordinate crisis interventions and risk assessments with on-site teams.
• Engage external partners and city agencies to support service planning.
• Ensure timely documentation and incident management reporting.
• Support Housing First, Harm Reduction, and CTI-based practices.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Crisis intervention

Risk assessments

Incident management

Communication skills

Education

NYS Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Access-based databases

Job description

Reporting to the Director, Programs, theAssistant Director, Programs, Safe Options Support (SOS) oversees the Safe Options Support (SOS) contract serving the LOCATION. Utilizing Critical Time Intervention (CTI), Harm Reduction, Recovery Orientation, Motivational Interviewing, and Peer Support, the Assistant Director oversees the time-limited street-homelessness intervention program to help support a client’s journey from homelessness to housing.

The Assistant Director supervises Clinical Coordinators and Community Health Specialist; manages daily outreach activities and operations; and partners with the registered nurse, Street to Home programs, external outreach providers, city agencies, and community stakeholders.

The Assistant Director supports Harm Reduction and Housing First strategies and other best-practice clinical interventions. The Assistant Director provides leadership to the program by informing decision making, implementing policies and procedures, and facilitating effective communication.

The Assistant Director works primarily during business hours Monday-Friday, with off hours availability in case of emergency or for special projects/initiatives. The position requires oversight of 24/7 operations and flexibility in work schedule as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage daily program components for Safe Options Support (SOS) team in [LOCATION] including outreach and housing placement activities including special operations and joint initiatives with city agencies and other stakeholders


• Utilize outreach and engagement strategies to identify areas where individuals are staying on the street, especially around transit hubs, and provide services to support these individuals


• Supervise Clinical Coordinators and Community Health Specialist


• Provide regular, structured supervision meetings


• Ensure high quality service delivery by supporting best practice interventions with street homeless populations, collaborating with on-site psychiatric/street medicine team, and providing crisis intervention, including 958 removals and risk assessments


• Promote effective strategies for effective outreach, case management, and placement of clients following Housing First, Harm Reduction, Critical Time Intervention (CTI), Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care models of practice


• Provide support and guidance to front line staff in managing difficult situations and successfully de-escalating conflict


• Provide guidance for incident management, crisis interventions, risk assessments, and ensure all documentation is submitted to appropriate oversight entities in a timely manner


• With direction from the Director, respond and engage with external partners, including service partners, government representatives, community stakeholders, hospital personnel, and other agencies to ensure responsive and effective service planning and program operations


• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• NYS Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) required. Must obtain LMSW within first six months of employment


• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience


• Thorough clinical understanding of relevant service delivery concepts and structures including Housing First, client centered motivational interviewing, Harm Reduction models, behavioral and medical health systems, and the ability to access and negotiate the full range of services for recipients


• Experience with crisis intervention, including, risk assessments and incident management


• Ability to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders


• Demonstrated success in working in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities


• Ability to delegate and motivate staff to achieve deliverables


• Ability to communicate (verbally and written) with diverse populations and stakeholders


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams; familiarity with Access-based databases and the ability to learn new programs are required


• Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground is preferred


• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred