Senior Director of Mental Health Program

Job Title: Senior Director of Mental Health Program

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hybrid – 2-3 days in office (combination of Long Island City and Downtown Brooklyn)

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary: $110,000 - $125,000

About AAFSC

The Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization established in 1994 to provide culturally and linguistically competent, trauma-informed social services. Our mission is to empower immigrants and refugees with the tools they need to acclimate successfully to the world around them and become active participants in their communities. While our doors are open to all, AAFSC has developed cultural and linguistic expertise in serving members of NYC’s Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, Muslim, and South Asian (AMENAMSA) immigrant and refugee communities. AAFSC promotes mental and physical well-being and community power. We ensure families are knowledgeable about their rights and equipped to participate in civic society with confidence and security. We help prevent child abuse, and work to end domestic- and gender-based violence. We provide the tools for learners of every age to succeed. Finally, we help lift up the voices and needs of under-represented communities and champion gender-, racial-, restorative-, and immigrant justice.  

About AAFSC’s Mental Health Counseling Program 

AAFSC’s mental health counseling program provides in-language and culturally competent mental health support to AAFSC’s communities through individual counseling, couples counseling, support groups, and community education. Our services—delivered in Arabic, Bangla, Urdu, and English—reached more than 200 clients last year and are among the most in-demand offering at AAFSC.  

About the Program Director Role 

The Program Director will be responsible for clinical, operational, fiscal and administrative oversight of the Mental Health program.  The ideal candidate is a seasoned manager who has experience leading or developing community-based mental health counseling programs. This individual will work with agency leadership and the program team to help set and realize a vision for AAFSC’s expanding counseling program. The Program Director will ensure best clinical and program management practices are implemented and carried out, providing support, coaching, and professional development to program staff along the way. 

A successful candidate will also bring experience managing multiple grant funding streams for a mental health counseling program, including demonstrated experience meeting grant/funder requirements and reporting periodically on progress. A highly qualified candidate will bring knowledge of funders and funding streams (public and philanthropic) for community mental health counseling services in the NYC region.  

Specific Responsibilities

Clinical:

• Ensures overall clinical, operational and fiscal oversight.  
• Works to develop, codify, and implement culturally responsive approaches to clinical care for the underserved populations this program reaches.  
• Supervises clinicians, who have primary responsibility for service delivery. This currently includes administrative management of six full-time clinicians and three mental health interns, and as well as the clinical supervision of 3-6three clinicians.  
• Assists staff in utilizing established, effective interventions to achieve defined, meaningful outcomes.  
• Provides leadership and vision to assist staff in achieving goals, continually improving performance and meeting challenges proactively and effectively.  
• Ensures that programmatic systems are in place to meet all clients’ safety and service needs, in a manner that is non-stigmatizing, trauma-informed, and patient-centered.  
• Works to develop, codify, and implement culturally responsive approaches to clinical care for the underserved populations this program reaches.  
• Ensures that physical facilities/sites meet appropriate safety and aesthetic standards. 
• Ensures appropriate training and supervision is provided to all staff; develops and provides training.  
• Ensures compliance with internal and external policies, procedures and regulations. 
• Available and on-call to assist in managing and responding to urgent situations.  

Program Development:

• Manages multiple streams of grant funding, including ensuring that we meet grant/funder requirements and reporting periodically on progress.
• Collaborates with other direct service programs at AAFSC to ensure integration of services through referrals as appropriate, and to contribute to the refinement of a holistic, wrap-around service approach.
• Can identify and help respond to opportunities to expand services; works on and helps prepare grant applications and responses to funding solicitations; implements new program initiatives and projects.
• Collaborates with other direct service programs at AAFSC to ensure integration of services through referrals as appropriate, and to contribute to the refinement of a holistic, wrap-around service approach.
• Contributes to the professional development of all AAFSC staff by serving as an expert and training resource on subject matters relevant to mental health and trauma-informed care.
• Ensures relationships with partners and community representatives/groups are established, developed and maintained.
• Ensures development and adherence to program budgets and maintains programs’ fiscal viability.
• Utilizes data to inform planning, service delivery and overall management.
• Participates in agency and external committees and initiatives.  

Position Requirements:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) plus five years of supervisory/managerial experience.
• Experience working in community treatment and support service programs.
• Excellent communication skills, self-starter with the ability to work independently, able to prioritize, and to interact with all levels of staff, both internally and externally.
• Familiarity with a range of therapeutic interventions: play therapy, family therapy, trauma informed care, CBT, DBT, ACT and psychodynamic approaches to treatment.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local documentation requirements, including but not limited to collaborative documentation, treatment planning, progress notes, and assessments/screenings.
• Job contingent upon pre-employment background check.
• U.S. Work Authorization is required. 

Please include a cover letter introducing yourself and explaining how your experience makes you a good fit for the role. 

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Ideal additional qualifications:

• Experience standing up or expanding a community-based mental health program, preferably in NYC.
• Knowledge and/or experience in NYC social, legal, correctional service systems and programs.
• Experience and comfort working with Restorative Justice modalities is a big plus.
• SIFI Field Instructor Certified with Field Supervisory experience with Social Work and/or LMHC interns a plus.
• Language skills in Arabic, Bangla or Urdu, while helpful, are not required.
• Interest and understanding of Restorative Justice practices or an enthusiastic interest in being trained.
• Experience working with our priority communities and lived experience that reflects our clients is highly desirable. 

Please include a cover letter introducing yourself and explaining how your experience makes you a good fit for the role. 

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Compensation & Benefits:

• The expected compensation for this role will fall within the range of $110,000 - $125,000
• AAFSC prides itself in supporting its team in and outside of the workplace. We offer 29 paid days off each year which includes 10 vacation days, 14 paid holidays, and 5 floating. We also provide 12 sick days. In addition, we offer:
• Fully paid medical and vision insurance coverage to each employee, subsidized coverage to family members, and highly discounted dental coverage.
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b tax-deferred retirement plan. AAFSCNY will match up to 5% of employee contributions.
• Several other supplemental insurance programs are also available.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. Individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.