Director of Social Services

The Social Services Director will ensure that the LAYC provides high quality mental health and substance used treatment services to youth and families in DC. The Social Services Director will focus on recruiting and retaining a clinical workforce that is trauma-informed and culturally competent – to support emotional growth and excellent outcomes for youth and their families.

Reporting to the Chief Program Officer (CPO), the Social Services Director will play a significant role by overseeing and enhancing the clinical and administrative functions necessary to maintain and expand LAYC’s impact as a DBH Certified Core Services Provider of Behavioral Health Services. A key member of the leadership team, s/he will be a strategic thought partner to LAYC’s Senior Leadership Team.

Specifically, the Social Services Director develops implements, directs, coordinates, oversees, and evaluates day-to-day operations of LAYC’s Social Services Department.

JOIN US AND SUPPORT YOUTH TO LIVE, WORK, AND STUDY WITH DIGNITY, HOPE, AND JOY!

LAYC/MMYC is an organization that makes a difference in our community. We invite you to join our talented staff and become a part of an organization that is known for its commitment to excellence, mission, and respect for youth. We value diversity as a strength, with 85% of our staff identifying as people of color. We p rioritize recruiting and supporting staff who have shared life experiences as our youth.

LAYC/MMYC’s mission is to empower a diverse population of youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through multicultural, comprehensive, and innovative programs that address youths' social, academic, and career needs. To achieve that mission, LAYC/MMYC provides services and opportunities to approximately 5,000 individuals annually to support academic achievement, promote healthy behaviors, and guide youth toward successful adulthood. LAYC/MMYC also conducts advocacy and public policy work to broaden opportunities for youth.

Competitive Benefits

• In addition to a friendly work environment, we are pleased to offer the following benefits to our employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans with prescription coverage.
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Voluntary long-term disability and supplemental life insurance
• Matching 401(k) program beginning at hire.
• Twenty (20) days paid vacation leave per year, 12 days paid sick leave per year, 12 paid holidays per year.
• Eight weeks paid parental leave, including adoption and foster care.
• Health club discounts
• One day per week of telework (eligible after first 60 days).
• Education Assistance
  
  

Essential Responsibilities

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Contribute to the achievement of LAYC’s and the Social Services Department’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Participate in LAYC Leadership Team Meetings
• Maintain Social Services Department’s certification with DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and accreditation with Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
• Develop and maintain departmental budget.
• Establish and maintain contracts with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations
• Work with CPO to provide insight into department performance. Provide actionable information to the senior team as requested.
• Represent LAYC externally, particularly in meetings with DC Department of Behavioral Health, DC Coordinating Committee on School Based Behavioral Health, DC Behavioral Health Association, and other funders, school principals, and other community providers.
  
  

Grants + Data

• Work in partnership with grants + data team to develop federal, state, and private grant and contract applications through development of program design, budget creation and outcome development that reflects the needs of LAYC/MMYC's target population;
• Ensure compliance with contract and grant agreements related to administrative, budget, and outcomes requirements;
• Support and champion LAYC’s culture of data as the lead onsite advocate and maintain consistent communication with grants + data related to data collection, entry, or data base system successes and/orissues;
• Oversee data entry through consistent monitoring of data reports run by program managers and enforcing LAYC/MMYC’s data entry policy with all staff;
• Interpret and use data on an ongoing basis to improve LAYC/MMYC Prince George’s County-based programs; and
• Evaluate the need new programs and recommend appropriate time to discontinue programs no longer beneficial to the population served.
  
  

Operations

• Lead, and drive results for the office and school-based behavioral health programs
• Oversee operations of LAYC’s electronic health record and build and maintain an effective relationship with LAYC’s Billing Specialist
• Work closely with supervisors to track staff productivity and with finance department to track revenue from grants and billable services
• Upgrade and implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, standards, and procedures for the Social Services Department
• Design and implement operational and systems improvements to drive efficiency
• Manage reporting to government partners, external organizations, key funders
• Train new staff on use of Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS)
  
  

Team Development/Leadership

• Manage and lead a team of 18 staff members, including consultant community support specialists
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to clinical supervisors
• Supervise Medical Director
• Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development.
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments for direct reports in the Social Services Department
• Mentor and develop staff in Social Services Department using a supportive and collaborative approach
  
  

Work Environment

• The workplace is fast paced.
• Travel will be required including to the various LAYC sites and schools in the DMV area.
  
  

Education & Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling or related field
• Active Independent Clinical License to practice in DC (LICSW or LPC)
• Addictions Certification a plus
• Minimum five-years’ experience in providing/supervising clinical services to adolescents/young adults.
• Minimum of five-years’ experience in staff supervision
• Experience in project development and implementation
  
  

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong mentoring and coaching experience with a team with diverse levels of expertise.
• Strong management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.
• Self–reliant and result oriented manager.
• Excellent judgement and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with government partners, funders, young people and families.
• Knowledge of InSync, and FAS Outcomes databases a plus
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of community and local resources.
• Complete criminal and child abuse/neglect clearances.
• Flexible, energetic, positive individual with commitment to youth development in a high quality, respectful environment.
• Ability to work well and communicate with culturally diverse populations.
• LAYC/MMYC requires the COVID-19 vaccine of all its employees. You will be asked to provide proof of vaccination at the time of your interview and at your onboarding.
  
  

Physical Requirements

This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 10 lbs. May require the ability to travel locally and/or regionally.

LAYC/MMYC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing opportunities without regard to age, race, color, pregnancy, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or status within any other protected group.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume.