Director of Social Work Services

The Fresh Air Fund•York, NY

6d•$110,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Social Work Services is the clinical leader responsible for supporting the emotional, social, and psychological well-being of Fresh Air youth participants ages 8–16 and program staff. During the summer residential camping season, the Director supervises and guides 12 camp social workers, serves as the primary escalation point for mental health crises, and works with social workers, camp administration, medical personnel, and parents to foster a supportive, inclusive, and emotionally safe camp community. During the school year, the Director supports camp screening and enrollment, hires summer social workers, develops and updates staff training, and provides social work support to participants and staff in school-year programs. This is a full-time position based in New York City. From approximately mid-August through mid-June, it currently requires three days per week in the NYC office; employees may also work from the office on other days. Fresh Air may change its remote work policy. From approximately mid-June through mid-August, the position requires 24/7 on-site presence at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY, and Camp Junior in Harriman State Park during staff training and camp sessions.

Requirements

Must be licensed in New York as an LCSW or as a qualified licensed psychologist.
At least 5 years of post-graduate, youth-focused clinical work.
At least 2 years in a direct supervisor, administrator, or clinical coordinator framework.
Exceptional crisis de-escalation skills.
Comprehensive knowledge of child and adolescent developmental milestones.
Strong administrative capabilities.
Stamina to thrive in a high-energy, 24/7 environment.
Camp staff must meet applicable vaccination requirements under federal, state, and local laws and be fully vaccinated against polio, MMR, TDap, and varicella; proof of vaccination or immunity, or approved exemptions, is required as a condition of employment. Additional vaccinations may be required as new public health issues arise.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working in a residential setting such as an overnight summer camp, boarding school, or youth residential treatment program.

Responsibilities

Work with the Enrollment Team to recruit youth for camp.
Meet with parents as needed to support enrollment.
Create and continually refine social-work training for social work and camping staff.
Create and refine protocols for social work staff.
Hire all summer social work staff.
Assist with interviewing camp and school-year program staff as necessary.
Provide direct administrative and clinical supervision to 12 camp social workers.
Conduct daily case consultations, manage rotation schedules, and coordinate 24/7 crisis-response coverage across the camp property.
Serve as the final escalation point for severe mental health crises, extreme homesickness, self-harm risks, behavioral flare-ups, and emotional trauma, and implement immediate stabilization strategies.
Oversee clinical approaches to residential challenges, including bedtime anxiety, overnight cabin dynamics, peer conflicts, and socialization barriers across ages 8–16.
Design and deliver pre-camp training for social work staff, camp counselors, and specialized staff on behavior management, active listening, mandatory reporting, and youth boundary rules.
Lead sensitive communications with parents and legal guardians about camper adjustments, severe behavioral challenges, mental health incidents, and coordinated care transitions.
Establish and maintain secure, confidential digital logs for clinical interactions, incident reports, behavioral contracts, and communication logs in accordance with professional ethical standards.
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.