Social Services Manager

Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Social Services Manager to lead a team in delivering essential support to vulnerable populations. This role involves overseeing casework staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and actively engaging with clients to facilitate access to vital resources. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in social services, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to fostering a compassionate and effective work environment. Join a mission-driven organization that makes a tangible difference in the lives of those in need, while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive workplace culture.

Benefits

Major Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Pre-tax Commuter Benefits

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

403(b) with Employer Contribution

Generous Vacation

Sick Leave

Holidays

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with relevant experience in social services.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee casework staff, ensuring professional service delivery.
• Provide supervision and support to staff in client assistance and documentation.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Leadership

Cultural Sensitivity

Client-focused Approach

Flexibility

Multitasking

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Related Field

Bachelor’s Degree with 3+ Years Experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Met Council is America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. We fight poverty through comprehensive social services and by treating each client with compassion, integrity, and respect. Our programs are staffed by experts who help over 325,000 clients each year and advocate on behalf of all needy New Yorkers. Our services include 100% affordable housing at 21 locations, family violence services, Holocaust survivor assistance, geriatric social work, crisis intervention and the largest free kosher food distribution program in the world. Our network of 120 food pantries, affordable housing sites, and JCCs provide services directly in neighborhoods across New York City.

Position Summary:

The Social Services Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing all casework staff. The manager will ensure that staff are providing professional, timely and appropriate services to program clients, including assessments, applications, follow-up and program referrals, advice, and guidance. Additionally, they will assist staff in making reasonable efforts to obtain the cooperation of outside agencies.

The Social Services Manager will provide weekly group supervision, and individual case supervision as needed, to all casework staff and will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of all casework staff, including, scheduling, attendance, coverage, documentation, and reporting.

The Social Services Manager will intervene and/or take on the most challenging clients from program staff as/when needed and will provide/arrange for coverage as/when needed.

• Supervise staff members determining client eligibility to apply for various government benefits and entitlements, as well as Met Council assistance and other programs.
• Support staff ensuring applications and documentation submitted for assistance for other programs are complete and comprehensive per criteria.
• Ensure program staff are documenting in the CRM in a correct and timely manner on the client work and contact communication they are doing.
• Provide direct assistance to the most challenging clients in completing applications, as well as gathering required documentation for submission of application, if necessary.
• Ensure casework staff are providing client application follow-up support and assistance, as well as ensuring that appropriate information and referrals are shared with clients.
• Stay updated on the most current programs and entitlements and their respective eligibility guidelines.
• Educate staff on information and referrals to resources and services in the community.
• Active outreach to communities to educate members on Met Council programs.
• Participate in weekly supervision and other grant meetings as required.
• Monitor all client data entered into the electronic database systems as well as additional tracking and shared electronic systems to ensure proper data collection.
• Efficiently track and report on all relevant or requested data for agency and government grant reporting requirements.
• Recognize and adhere to professional roles and boundaries when supervising staff.
• Attend outside meetings and represent agency in meetings as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Deep understanding and knowledge of local community services and resources
• Leadership and managerial experiences in a New York City community-based or social/health services organization preferred
• Familiarity with and experience working in non-profit systems, social services or care/case management preferred
• Excellent computer literacy and word processing skills, including experience with Microsoft Word and Excel, Microsoft Teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to both assess and build relationships with individuals as well as manage and control one's own reactions to complex and challenging conversations on the phone and in person
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others to foster teamwork and create a pleasant work environment.
• Ability to comply with grant demands and criteria, including attention to detail
• Client, ethics, and integrity-focused approach to interventions
• Ability to adapt to changes and reasonable flexibility in schedule
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Strong organizational skills and the capability to multitask, set priorities and monitor progress towards goals.

Skill and Education:

• Master’s degree or Bachelor's degree with at least three years of experience in social or human services or related field (social work, human services, community/public health, sociology, psychology, mental health counseling, or related field).
• Licensed in social work, mental health counseling, or related field (preferred).
• Experience with staff supervision (preferred).
• Clerical/administrative work experience (preferred).
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Patience, compassion, and courtesy.
• Bi-lingual Yiddish a plus.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to function effectively within a fast-paced environment and make appropriate and safe decisions.
• Must be able to work in a busy environment with a sensitive population.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity especially to insular, immigrant and minority groups.

Physical Demands:

• Required Constantly: Walking, sitting, grasping, bending, stooping, squatting, computer input, finger dexterity and coordination of hand, eye and foot.
• Required Frequently: Standing and climbing stairs; carrying laptop & files (approx. 8-10 lbs).
• Required Occasionally: Reaching above the shoulder, and lifting 5-25 pounds, pushing and pulling.

Compensation: $70,000 to $80,000 per year.

Benefits: Major medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits; FSA; 403(b) with employer contribution; plus generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.