Title: Team Leader (LMSW)
Location: New York City Area
Reports: Director of Social Services
Classification: Exempt
Employment Type: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Role Summary: The Team Leader (LMSW) provides administrative leadership, program oversight, service coordination, and direct supportive assistance to clients within the Transitional Housing Program. Utilizing a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and person-centered approach, the Team Leader supports individuals experiencing serious mental illness, homelessness, substance use disorders, and other complex psychosocial challenges. The Team Leader serves as an operational and resource specialist for program staff, coordinates multidisciplinary service delivery, provides daily guidance and coaching to Program staff, and ensures clients receive comprehensive services that promote housing stability, recovery, community integration, and overall well-being. This position combines direct client support with leadership responsibilities to ensure program effectiveness and positive client outcomes.
Primary Job Responsibilities/Duties:
The job duties of the Team Leader include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
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Provide day-to-day administrative guidance, task consultation, and general support to social workers and other program personnel.
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Maintain a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to service delivery and promote partnerships among housing, medical, behavioral health, and community service providers.
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Coordinate training, informational workshops, and skill-building coaching for program staff regarding crisis de-escalation, substance use education, risk screening, and client engagement strategies.
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Participate in program development, quality improvement initiatives, and the implementation of operational best practices.
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Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive case records in CARES and the client’s chart.
- Assist program leadership in monitoring service delivery, documentation compliance, and client milestones.
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Complete comprehensive non-clinical biopsychosocial intakes, housing readiness inventories, risk screenings, and ongoing program reviews.
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Interview clients and family members, as appropriate, to identify immediate resource needs and determine appropriate non-clinical plans of action.
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Develop and monitor individualized housing and service plans designed to promote recovery, independent living, and housing stability.
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Identify clients requiring specialized external medical or psychological interventions and coordinate resource delivery accordingly.
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Assist clients in establishing short-term and long-term personal goals and monitor progress toward goal attainment.
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Provide supportive guidance, immediate crisis de-escalation, psychoeducation, and recovery-oriented life-skills assistance.
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Evaluate urgent facility situations and implement appropriate de-escalation protocols to ensure client safety and well-being.
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Conduct safety planning for high-risk clients and coordinate emergency community responses when necessary.
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Assist in identifying vulnerable individuals and develop action plans to prevent further housing instability or social deterioration.
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Facilitate individual and group informational sessions focused on life skills, coping strategies, wellness, community integration, and relapse education.
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Facilitate linkages to community-based behavioral health, medical, vocational, housing, educational, and social
- service resources.
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Coordinate services among external healthcare providers, psychiatric clinics, hospitals, community organizations, and government agencies.
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Advocate for clients to obtain the public benefits, health insurance, and community services necessary to achieve recovery and housing goals.
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Make direct referrals to appropriate governmental, nonprofit, and community-based organizations.
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Follow up with external referral sources and providers regarding client participation and progress.
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Maintain comprehensive and timely program documentation including intakes, service plans, progress notes, referrals, incident reports, and discharge summaries.
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Prepare written reports that accurately capture screening findings, program recommendations, non-clinical interventions, and milestone outcomes.
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Ensure all client files comply with agency, Department of Homeless Services, and other applicable regulatory standards.
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Participate in administrative audits, chart reviews, case conferences, and quality assurance activities.
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Complete all required documentation within established agency timeframes.
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Confer and consult with professional and technical personnel to implement a holistic approach to client care.
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Participate actively in team meetings, administrative supervision sessions, and agency committees.
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Foster a safe, respectful, recovery-focused, and trauma-informed residential environment.
Physical Requirements:
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Ability to walk, stand, kneel, crouch, and bend over.
- Ability to lift, carry, reach, and handle objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods.
- Ability to travel to different locations within New York City, as needed.
Work Environment / Schedule Requirements:
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May at times be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays based on organizational needs, deadlines, or events.
Qualifications:
- Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited school of social work is required.
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Current New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) is required.
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Current New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is preferred.
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License must be maintained throughout employment.
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Minimum of two (2) years of post-graduate experience working within transitional housing, residential services, homeless shelters, or community-based social services.
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Previous experience providing behavioral health, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, or supportive services to individuals experiencing mental illness, homelessness, substance use disorders, or complex psychosocial challenges is preferred.
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Demonstrated experience working with individuals experiencing serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders (SUD), chronic homelessness, or co-occurring disorders.
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Experience in an administrative supervisory, team leader, or senior casework role within a social services setting is preferred.
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Demonstrated knowledge of mental health, emotional and behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, trauma, recovery principles, and crisis intervention practices.
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Expertise in strengths-based, solution-focused, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches to service delivery.
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Knowledge of housing, behavioral health, social service, and community resource systems that can be used to support members of vulnerable populations.
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Ability to coordinate services across multiple agencies and disciplines with a collaborative team approach.
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Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor, train, and support staff in achieving program goals and positive client outcomes.
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Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare detailed reports.
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Strong problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and function effectively in a fast-paced environment.
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Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working with diverse populations.
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Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, integrity, and sound judgment in all interactions.
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Bilingual skills are strongly preferred.
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Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English for administrative purposes.
- Must pass drug screening test to be appointed.
- This position may be subject to a series of checks before and/or after appointment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
NAICA is an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment. As such, discrimination in any aspect of hiring or employment based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), or other applicable legally protected characteristics is strictly prohibited.
Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. NAICA will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. NAICA also offers reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Applicants seeking an accommodation for any part of the application or interview process should contact Human Resources by sending an email to [email protected] with the Subject “Reasonable Accommodation Request.”
Competitive Benefits Package
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Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision Benefits for full-time employees
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plans
- Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
- Paid Holidays and Vacation
- Paid Time-off
- Vol Life Insurance and AD&D
- Term Life and AD&D insurance
- Long Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program support (EAP)
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Aflac: Short-Term Disability, CA, Accident and Hospital
- Employee Discount Program
False Statements
Misrepresentation of your experience, skills, education, or other qualifications, or submission of false/fraudulent information or documentation during or after the application process may result in the rejection of your application or termination of your employment.
At-Will Employment Disclaimer
While we sincerely hope to form a long and mutually beneficial working relationship, NAICA is an at-will employer. Therefore, employment is subject to termination at any time, with or without notice or cause, at the discretion of you or the organization.
Physical Requirements:
-
Ability to walk, stand, kneel, crouch, and bend over.
- Ability to lift, carry, reach, and handle objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods.
- Ability to travel to different locations within New York City, as needed.
Work Environment / Schedule Requirements:
-
May at times be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays based on organizational needs, deadlines, or events.
Qualifications:
- Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited school of social work is required.
-
Current New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) is required.
-
Current New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is preferred.
-
License must be maintained throughout employment.
-
Minimum of two (2) years of post-graduate experience working within transitional housing, residential services, homeless shelters, or community-based social services.
-
Previous experience providing behavioral health, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, or supportive services to individuals experiencing mental illness, homelessness, substance use disorders, or complex psychosocial challenges is preferred.
-
Demonstrated experience working with individuals experiencing serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders (SUD), chronic homelessness, or co-occurring disorders.
-
Experience in an administrative supervisory, team leader, or senior casework role within a social services setting is preferred.
-
Demonstrated knowledge of mental health, emotional and behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, trauma, recovery principles, and crisis intervention practices.
-
Expertise in strengths-based, solution-focused, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches to service delivery.
-
Knowledge of housing, behavioral health, social service, and community resource systems that can be used to support members of vulnerable populations.
-
Ability to coordinate services across multiple agencies and disciplines with a collaborative team approach.
-
Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor, train, and support staff in achieving program goals and positive client outcomes.
-
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare detailed reports.
-
Strong problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills.
-
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and function effectively in a fast-paced environment.
-
Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working with diverse populations.
-
Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, integrity, and sound judgment in all interactions.
-
Bilingual skills are strongly preferred.
-
Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English for administrative purposes.
- Must pass drug screening test to be appointed.
- This position may be subject to a series of checks before and/or after appointment.
