Director of Social Services

Knollwood Community; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Paid holidays

CEU support

Job summary

Knollwood Life Plan Community in Washington, DC, seeks a Director of Social Services to lead a comprehensive psychosocial program for residents and families. The role partners with an interdisciplinary team to advocate for resident rights and coordinate MDS assessments, care plans, and transitions.

The ideal candidate holds an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program with an active DC LICSW license (LGSW considered with supervised hours).

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Active District of Columbia LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) license.
• Candidates holding a DC LGSW and actively accruing supervised hours toward LICSW may be considered.
• Minimum two years of social work experience in long-term care, a CCRC, or a geriatric healthcare setting.
• Working knowledge of CMS Conditions of Participation for social services (42 CFR §483.40) and DC DOH long-term care requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead MDS assessment and care plan coordination.
• Coordinate discharge planning for skilled nursing residents; manage transitions with families and facilities.
• Advocate for resident rights; document and resolve grievances.
• Provide brief counseling for adjustment, grief, depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
• Guide residents and families through Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, and long-term care insurance with Business Office support.
• Bring psychosocial leadership to care conferences, family meetings, and transitions.

Skills

MSW degree

LICSW license

LGSW candidate

Long-term care

CMS COP knowledge

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

MSW CSWE-accredited

Tools

DC DOH LTC requirements

Job description

Director of Social Services

Vacancy Posting | Office of People Operations | Knollwood Life Plan Community

Non - Union Position | Supervisory Classification — NLRA §2(11)

Department Social Services

Reports To Licensed Nursing Home Administrator

Status Full-Time, Salaried | FLSA Exempt — Administrative

Schedule Monday–Friday, with on-call participation as assigned

Location 6200 Oregon Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015 (on-site)

Pay Range $115,000-125,500 annually

Posting Date 07/17/2026

Make a Meaningful Difference Every Day

At Knollwood community, our skilled nursing and rehabilitation center is focused on exceptional care that extends beyond clinical excellence-it includes supporting the emotional, social, and personal needs of every resident and guest we serve. We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Director of Social Services who will champion resident advocacy, lead a dedicated social services program, and partner with our interdisciplinary team to create an environment where residents and families feel supported, respected, and empowered. This is an opportunity to lead with purpose, inspire others, and make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

What You Will Own

• MDS assessment and care plan coordination
• Care transitions and discharge planning. Lead discharge planning for all skilled nursing residents. Coordinate with families, receiving facilities, home health, and payers. Issue NOMNC and related notices.
• Resident rights advocacy. Serve as Knollwood's Resident Rights advocate. Receive, document, and drive resolution of resident and family grievances.
• Clinical counseling. Provide brief counseling for adjustment, grief, depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline; refer to psychiatric services when clinical need exceeds scope.
• Benefits and resource navigation. Guide residents and families through Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, and long-term care insurance in partnership with the Business Office.
• Interdisciplinary leadership. Bring the psychosocial voice to every care conference, family meeting, and transition decision on campus.

Your First 90 Days

• Day 30 — Full psychosocial caseload review completed across all care levels; gaps in MDS social service documentation identified and a correction plan submitted to the Director of Nursing.
• Day 60 — Discharge planning workflow mapped end to end; NOMNC issuance is timely and documented; grievance intake and tracking running on a single, auditable log.
• Day 90 — Annual Resident Rights education plan built and scheduled; you are the recognized psychosocial authority at the IDT table.

What You Bring

Required

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Active District of Columbia LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) license.
• Candidates holding a DC LGSW and actively accruing supervised hours toward LICSW may be considered.
• Minimum two years of social work experience in long-term care, a CCRC, or a geriatric healthcare setting.
• Working knowledge of CMS Conditions of Participation for social services (42 CFR §483.40) and DC DOH long-term care requirements.

Preferred

• Familiarity with DC Medicaid and waiver programs and the DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman process.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $88,000 – $113,500 annually. The posted range reflects Knollwood's good-faith projection of what it would pay for this role at the time of posting, as required by the DC Wage Transparency Act. The range is benchmarked to the 2026–2027 HCS CCRC Salary & Benefits Report (Director of Social Services), Maryland and regional cuts.

Healthcare benefits: Knollwood offers medical, dental, and vision coverage to eligible employees, along with a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off, and paid holidays. Full plan details are provided before your first interview, consistent with the DC Wage Transparency Act.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employer-supported continuing education toward DC licensure renewal