job Director of Clinical Services

Position Title: Director of Clinical Services

Supervised By: Sr. Director of Program Services 

Supervises: Client Resource Coordinators, Program Interns 

Department: Programs 

Status: Full Time, Exempt, On-site

About us: Sarah's Circle is a non-profit organization working to end homelessness for women in Chicago. Located in Uptown, Sarah's Circle has provided support for thousands of women since 1979.

This position supports clients and staff in all of our programs, including Interim Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and a drop-in Daytime Support Center. For more information about Sarah's Circle, visit  https://sarahs-circle.org/ 

Summary

This position utilizes clinical social work expertise to support the organization in the provision of supportive services that effectively engage clients facing barriers due to trauma and/or mental illness. The position serves as a resource to housing case managers in all programs, providing consultative support to assess and address barriers. The position maintains a regular presence in all client programs, providing direct client services including conflict resolution, crisis de-escalation, and participation in client meetings and appointments, as needed. The position researches, engages, and coordinates education, training, and staff development opportunities to guide and equip staff to respond to challenging client situations with a trauma informed approach. This position also supervises the Client Resource Coordinators, ensuring a full schedule of client engagement and wellness activities. In collaboration with the Sr. Director of Program Services, this position evaluates and plans programs, working to continuously improve client experience and maintain program alignment with Sarah’s Circle’s commitment to providing services “in a non-intrusive setting which respects each individual’s privacy and fosters change by nurturing the women’s own sense of worth and individual dignity.”

Program Consultation and Guidance

• Work closely with case managers, program managers, and the Sr. Director of Program Services to achieve and improve program and housing goals and objectives.
• Utilize clinical expertise to provide guidance and support to housing case managers so that they may effectively engage clients experiencing trauma and/or mental illness in services that align with program and housing goals and objectives. 
• Maintain contact with program and housing operations, activities and participants through regular presence in program and housing space and participation in program and housing events. 
• Provide direct client services including participation in client meetings when requested by case managers. Accompany clients to appointments, as needed, to serve as an advocate and assist them in accessing services. 
• Lead de-escalation of client conflicts or mental health crises when they are escalated by front line staff or case managers.  
• Conduct crisis intervention follow-up assessments and debriefs with staff when appropriate.
• Direct and monitor all aspects of the petitioning process for individuals requiring involuntary evaluation or treatment, ensuring clinical appropriateness, regulatory compliance, accurate documentation, interdepartmental coordination, and effective collaboration with legal, judicial, and community stakeholders. Monitor and manage follow-up to support clients’ successful reintegration into programs and services or their transition to the next level of care following treatment.
• Respond to client grievances when appropriate according to Sarah’s Circle’s grievance procedure.
• Provide written and verbal guidance to staff regarding the handling of situations that arise within the programs, adhering to best practices and a trauma-informed approach.    
• Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Program Services and the Director of Human Resources, to assess education, skill development and training needs of staff of residential programs and case management.
• Hold regularly scheduled group meetings with case managers to discuss client issues and provide training in trauma-informed best practices that equip staff to successfully engage clients in services.   
• Advise the Senior Director of Program Services of emerging trends in program, population and/or services and make recommendations of program development, implementation, evaluation and research.  
• Serve as a resource for program staff experiencing workplace stress, vicarious trauma, and burnout. Provide individual coaching that emphasizes healthy boundaries, self-care, and encourage staff to seek external resources when needed. 
• Develop and oversee program internship program. Recruit, select, and schedule social work interns that are appropriate for a placement at Sarah’s Circle. Provide clinical supervision to interns pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) and staff pursuing licensure (LCSW).

Participant-Centered Planning and Evaluation

• Work with program managers and the Senior Director of Program Services to implement and maintain a process for participant-centered planning, evaluation and continuous quality improvement
• Conduct annual client surveys for all programs, analyzing gathered data, developing action plans in coordination with Senior Director of Program Services, and communicating results with staff and key stakeholders. 
• Provide oversight of the client engagement and wellness programming managed by the Client Resource Manager, ensuring a full schedule of activities and effective collaboration with community partners.
• Serve as point person for community partners conducting on-site specialized research and projects, such as Narrative Exposure Therapy and Traumatic Brain Injury research. 

Agency Leadership

• Provide leadership to annual planning process and strategic planning including utilization of agency’s physical and financial resources.
• Act with other agency leaders in executing policies or operating decisions on matters of agency wide concern.

Other

• Supervise assigned staff, including recruitment and selection; scheduling and job assignment; counseling/coaching; development and training; performance evaluation; and recommending salary, disciplinary and other personnel actions in accord with relevant policies and procedures.
• Maintain required professional and job skills, including continuing education for clinical licensure. Attend and participate in required educational programs and staff meetings.
• Represent Sarah’s Circle’s mission and values to clients, visitors, and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Attendance at Required Meetings

• All Staff meetings 
• Program Committee Meetings (quarterly)
• Supervision (weekly)
• Board of Director Meetings (periodic attendance required)
• Monthly case manager meetings 

Attendance Required at Events

• Winter Walk and other events as requested

Competencies

• Dependability: able to work independently, submits accurate documentation, and seeks guidance when needed.
• Teamwork: establishes collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers, provides leadership when appropriate
• Receptiveness: accepts feedback, takes ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly (written and verbally), seeks solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
• Integrity: keeps sensitive information confidential and adheres to personnel policies
• Initiative: brings questions to supervisor and seeks opportunities for further development

Requirements

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in social work required
• Active professional licensure as an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required

Job Experience 

• 8+ years of progressive experience in social work or related field, including experience with program planning and direct service
• 3+ years of supervisory experience preferred
• Experience working with the homeless population, women facing situations of vulnerability, or the shelter system strongly preferred 

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of program planning, administration, and evaluation
• Conflict management and crisis intervention skills
• Excellent team building and coaching skills
• Knowledge of systemic, societal issues relating to homelessness, and knowledge of resources in areas of homelessness, mental illness and addictions 
• Proficiency in Microsoft office software
• Knowledge of basic applied research methods
• Strong organizational skills & oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with Board members

Additional Requirements 

• Sarah’s Circle housing programs operate 24/7. This position requires a flexible schedule with frequent evening and weekend hours 
• Ability to lift approximately 20lbs
• Ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling materials
• Ability to travel locally between multiple locations
• Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through administrative updates compliant with federal law