About Covenant House New York

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

About the role

The Deputy Director (LCSW) will need to be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment where processes and protocols are being developed and refined as the program is operating. Flexibility, a willingness to be available by email or phone in off-hours, and excellent communication and problem-solving abilities are critical to successfully fulfilling the requirements of this position.

What you'll do

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Manages a team that effectuates healing and positive change in the lives of young people in the form of safety, basic needs, positive relationships, health, employment, education, life skills and transition to Stable Housing.
• Conducts mental health evaluations for youth applying for Supportive Housing, and residing in shelter, transitional and/or permanent housing.
• Provides weekly individual clinical supervision to a team of full-time social workers and MSW interns.
• Manages the performance evaluation and professional development of a team of professional staff.
• Helps to create and implement group therapy to young people enrolled in CHNY’s mental health day treatment program.
• Train, support, and manage a team of social workers in group therapy practices.
• Provide individual crisis management to clients and on an as needed basis.
• Serves as a champion of new initiatives and evidence-based models that are implemented within the program site and lead their implementation with the staff.
• Embraces a data-driven culture that is outcomes-oriented and creatively responsive to programmatic challenges.
• Provides patient advocacy and information assistance.
• Serve as counsel to staff members to determine appropriate treatment and case plan for clients.
• Be the main point person for psychiatric hospital referrals and collaboration with residential leadership around this.
• Attends case review, team meetings and administrative meetings.
• Consults with the Psychiatrist to assist youth in their understanding and use of psychotropic medication by providing consultation on medication decisions and managing side effects.
• Networks and acts as liaison to community agencies to maximize utilization and benefits for the youth.
• Oversees data management systems and ensures that all documentation is completed in ETO and in eCW (Electronic Health Records) in a timely manner.
• Assures and guides quality of clinical practice in respective discipline.
• Maintains consistent communication across programs to ensure coordination and optimization of therapeutic services for each youth.
• Collaborates with Director and Administrator on grants and grant reports.
• Meets regularly with Director to discuss concerns, reflect on practice and client needs, and carry out plans for young people.
• Always reflects CHNY’s values and principles on social media.
• Always upholds CHNY’s mission, vision and principles, standards of conduct, policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Master’s in Social Work (MSW) required.
• LCSW licensure in NYS required
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in social services/providing counseling/clinical services to at risk youth.
• Experience providing counseling and case work with at risk youth required.
• Knowledge of trauma and mental health issues facing multi-stressed youth and families.
• Experience working in a shelter or residential setting preferred.
• Knowledge of external and social service systems.
• Solid assessment, interviewing and crisis intervention skills. Flexible work schedule to include evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) and experience supervising interns preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation.
• Must be able to see, hear, touch, feel, lift (up to 20 lbs.) and stand for short periods of time.