Director of Social Services - Laurel Hall

Lantern Community Services Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lantern Community Services Inc in Queens, NY, seeks a Director of Social Services for our single adult male shelter to oversee Clinical and Social Services, ensuring housing stability and compliance with DHS standards.

The role leads Social Workers, Case Managers, Housing Specialists, and Peer Engagement Specialists; develops programs, tracks outcomes, and collaborates with Shelter Director to deliver person-centered care. Requires MSW and 8+ years leadership in homeless services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field required.
• MSW or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum eight years in social services with progressive management experience.
• Five+ years of managerial experience in shelter operations or related programs.
• Experience using electronic case management systems and data to improve services.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel) and CARES familiarity.
• Knowledge of mental health, substance use, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness issues.
• Strong writing, speaking, and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Social Workers, Case Managers, Housing Coordinators, and Peer Specialists.
• Provide regular supervision, performance evaluations, and meetings.
• Attend DHS trainings and ensure program compliance.
• Ensure client intake, assessments, service delivery, and documentation meet DHS standards.
• Develop Individual Living Plans and Housing Plans to promote stability.
• Coordinate medical, mental health, and substance use referrals.
• Develop counseling approaches and community resources to support housing readiness.
• Implement crisis prevention and intervention strategies.
• Follow up on critical incidents and assist with safety planning.
• Maintain partnerships with community agencies and uphold Good Neighbor policies.

Skills

Leadership

Staff Supervision

Crisis Management

Communication

Program Development

Data-driven decisions

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work

MSW

Graduate degree in related field

Tools

CARES

Microsoft Excel

Electronic Case Management Systems

Job description

Director of Social Services - Laurel Hall

Lantern Community Services Inc Queens, New York, United States

About this position

Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Shelter Director
Location: Queens, NY
Status & Hours: Full-time, Mon‑Fri 9 am to 5 pm. Hours may vary and include on‑call responsibilities. Lantern staff may be asked to change work schedule and hours depending on the operational needs of the site and the agency.

Who We Are: Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. If you believe a steady home can be the start of everything else, you’ll fit right in with our mission‑first team. Lantern was also recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York - a great place to do meaningful work with people who care!

Where You Will Work: Ozone Park, Queens.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and progressive Director of Social Services for our single adult male shelter in Queens. This position oversees the Clinical and Social Services functions to optimize the quality of care to residents in accordance with DHS regulatory and accreditation requirements. The ideal candidate will develop and supervise the Social Services team, consisting of Social Workers, Case Managers, Housing Specialists, and Peer Engagement Specialists. The DSS will be responsible for implementing best practices to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of residents, ensuring their ability to gain and maintain housing stability, and will work closely with the Shelter Director to develop, implement, track, report, and evaluate measurable outcomes.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Hire, train, and supervise Social Workers, Case Managers, Housing Coordinators, and Peer Specialists to ensure timely completion of program goals, deliverables, and benchmarks.


• Provide leadership through regular supervision, performance evaluations, disciplinary support as needed, and facilitation of staff and clinical meetings.


• Attend all mandatory DHS trainings and meetings to maintain program compliance and best practices.


• Ensure adherence to DHS, OTDA, and Lantern standards for client intake, assessments, service delivery, and documentation within required timeframes.


• Support staff in developing individualized Independent Living Plans and Housing Plans that promote long‑term stability and successful transitions to permanent housing.


• Coordinate access to necessary medical, mental health, and substance use services, including referrals for psychiatric assessment, treatment, and community‑based care.


• Develop counseling approaches, programming, and referral resources that support residents in achieving harm reduction, wellness, and housing readiness goals.


• Implement crisis prevention and intervention strategies to maintain a safe and secure shelter environment.


• Provide follow‑up on critical incidents, assist with safety planning, and ensure residents are connected to appropriate supports during times of crisis.


• Maintain strong relationships with community partners and ensure the shelter upholds a Good Neighbor policy by connecting residents with daytime resources, supportive services, and constructive community‑based activities.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social work, social services, or a related field required


• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in social services, case management, counseling, direct advocacy, or a related human services setting


• At least five (5) years of documented progressive managerial experience in social services, shelter operations, case management, or related human services programs


• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), Mental Health Counseling (MHC), or Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) from an accredited institution


• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in social services, case management, counseling, direct advocacy, or a related human services setting


• At least three (3) years of documented progressive managerial experience in social services, shelter operations, case management, or related human services programs


• Experience using electronic case management systems and applying data to inform best practices and improve service delivery


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel required) and comfort working in databases such as CARES


• Strong knowledge of mental health, substance use, HIV/AIDS, and issues impacting individuals experiencing chronic homelessness preferred


• Ability to work effectively under pressure, respond to crisis situations, and maintain flexibility with scheduling as needed


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities.

Work Environment: This job operates in a shelter site and works with the female population who experience mental illness, addiction, disability, HIV, and other chronic illnesses.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel. Occasionally, the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note: Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners. By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy, and just communities.