DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES
Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund (Fresh Air) has been a leading youth development organization providing transformative opportunities for children and young adults from New York City's underserved communities. Rooted in the belief that access to nature and outdoor experiences can change lives, Fresh Air connects young people to the outdoors while providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership development and exploration. Through free summer camp and school-year leadership development, educational enrichment and career exploration programs, Fresh Air helps young people develop the skills, confidence and connections they need to thrive.
Serving more than 1.8 million children throughout its history, Fresh Air remains committed to expanding access to life-changing experiences that empower young people to reach their full potential. At Fresh Air, employees are driven by purpose, collaboration and a shared commitment to creating opportunities that help young people succeed.
Position Summary
The Director of Social Work Services is clinical leader responsible for all work that will ensure the emotional, social, and psychological well-being of all Fresh Air youth participants (ages 8–16) and program staff. During the summer residential camping season, the Director provides direct clinical supervision and guidance to a team of 12 camp social workers who reside at Fresh Air’s six residential summer camps. Serving as the primary on-site escalation point for mental health crises, the Director works closely with those social workers, camp administration, medical personnel, and parents to ensure a supportive, inclusive, and emotionally safe camp community. During the school year, this job is responsible for assisting screening youth for camp, hiring summer social workers, providing enrollment assistant for families, creating/updating training for the social work staff and camping staff, and providing any needed social work support to participants and staff in school-year programs.
This is a full-time position based in New York City. From mid-August – mid-June, it currently requires three days a week in the NYC office. Fresh Air’s NYC office is open and available all week, and all employees are permitted and encouraged to come to the office to work. Fresh Air may modify its remote work policy generally or with respect to any position at any time. From approximately mid-June through mid-August, this position requires 24/7 on-site presence at Sharpe Reservation (Fishkill, NY) and Camp Junior (Harriman State Park) while summer staff training is occurring and while camp is in session.
Responsibilities
School-Year
- Working with the Enrollment Team to recruit youth for camp
- Meeting with parents as needed to support enrollment
- Creating and continually refining training for all social work staff and camping staff regarding social work
- Creating and refining protocols for social work staff
- Hiring of all summer social work staff
- As necessary, assist with interviewing camp and school-year program staff
Summer
- Clinical Team Leadership: Provide direct administrative and clinical supervision to a team of 12 camp social workers. Conduct daily case consultations, manage rotation schedules, and coordinate 24/7 crisis response coverage across the camp property
- Crisis Management & Intervention: Act as the final escalation point for severe mental health crises, extreme homesickness, self-harm risks, behavior flare-ups, and emotional trauma. Implement immediate stabilization strategies
- Overnight Camp Operations: Oversee clinical approaches to unique residential challenges, including bedtime anxiety, overnight cabin dynamics, peer conflicts, and socialization barriers across diverse age groups (8–16)
- Pre-Camp Staff Orientation: Design and deliver comprehensive training modules for social work staff, general camp counselors and specialized staff. Topics include behavior management, active listening, mandatory reporting protocols, and youth boundary rules
- Parent & Family Communication: Lead sensitive, high-level communications with parents and legal guardians regarding camper adjustments, severe behavioral challenges, mental health incidents, and coordinated care transitions
- Documentation & Compliance: Establish and maintain secure, confidential digital logging systems for all clinical interactions, incident reports, behavioral contracts, and communication logs in accordance with professional ethical standards
Additional responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
- Licensure: Must be licensed in NY as an LCSW or as a qualified licensed psychologist
- Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of post-graduate, youth-focused clinical work, with at least 2 years in a direct supervisor, administrator, or clinical coordinator framework
- Residential Knowledge: Prior experience working within a residential framework, such as an overnight summer camp, boarding school, or youth residential treatment program, is highly desirable
- Core Skills: Exceptional crisis de-escalation skills, comprehensive knowledge of child and adolescent developmental milestones, strong administrative capabilities, and the stamina to thrive in a high-energy, 24/7 environment
- Vaccinations: As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and to protecting the participants we serve, Fresh Air requires all camp staff to meet applicable vaccination requirements in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, and to be fully vaccinated against polio, MMR, TDap, and varicella. As new public health issues arise, Fresh Air may require additional vaccinations. Proof of vaccinations or immunity, or approved exemptions, will be required as a condition of employment.
Salary & Benefits
The salary for this “at-will” position is $110,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience. The Fresh Air Fund offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and employer and employee retirement contribution plans.
Application Instructions: To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter. We are hiring on a rolling basis and encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible. No calls or recruiters, please.
The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply.
The Fresh Air Fund New York, New York, USA Office
New York, NY, United States
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