Senior Director of Social Services & Housing

Cherokee Federal

New York (NY)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Cherokee Federal is seeking a Director of Social Services for a 24‑hour NYC DHS shelter. The role provides executive leadership for social services, case management, housing services, resident engagement, and program compliance, ensuring trauma-informed, culturally responsive, resident‑centered care consistent with DHS, HRA, OTDA, and Cherokee policies.

Reporting to the Site Director, the DSS will supervise supervisors and staff, develop high‑performing teams, monitor performance indicators,

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Sociology, or related field required.
Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) or related Human Services field strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
Oversee all case management functions including intake, psychosocial assessments, ILPs, progress notes, referrals, housing planning, discharge planning, and aftercare.
Ensure 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.
Develop, monitor, and improve departmental performance through routine analysis of key performance indicators.
Develop corrective action plans whenever performance indicators fall below DHS or Cherokee expectations.
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, and other housing subsidy applications.
Build collaborative relationships with brokers, landlords, supportive housing providers, HRA, HPD, and community partners to maximize housing opportunities.
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.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with DHS/HRA/ACS/DOE/OMH, Hospitals, Community Based Organizations, and other partners.
Ensure all social service related incidents are documented and managed in accordance with DHS guidelines.
Coordinate incident follow up with DHS SIU.
Provide after hours consultation, incident response, operational decisions.