Director of Social Services and Outreach

The Riverside Church

Position Description

Job Title: Director of Social Services and Outreach
Reports to: Minister for Justice, Advocacy, and Change
Department: Mission and Social Justice
FLSA: Exempt
Classification: Full-time; Benefits Eligible
Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000

Who is Riverside Church?

We are an interdenominational, interracial, international, open, welcoming, and affirming church and congregation. The history of The Riverside Church reflects a transformation from a predominantly white Protestant congregation to a multiracial and multicultural church that has been at the vanguard of social justice advocacy, liberation theologies, and LGBTQ+ ministries with a witness that effects the full flourishing of all people. The programs at Riverside Church reflect the diversity of our congregation, city, and world. Love and justice are at the heart of Riverside Church and ever present in our work and witness. At Riverside, God is the God of the oppressed who stands with the poor and the outcast. We believe social services is a ministry and that the offerings from Riverside Church must transform individuals, communities, and systems. We want to work collaboratively with a director to build relationships within our community and neighborhood that are mutual and supportive.

Who are you?

Riverside seeks a collaborative and creative director of social services and outreach with expansive ideas and a vision for what is possible in this new era of church – someone who can take the church to the streets. Someone who can lean into a vision where:

• Riverside affirms and asserts itself as a beacon of hope and light.
• Riverside seeks to speak truth to power in solidarity with those excluded on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.
• Riverside’s acts of justice and service intend to outweigh all the traditions and factions that no longer serve.
• Riverside leads with integrity and relevance.

In this role, you will have the freedom to imagine what is possible and to stretch the boundaries of what has been. Your vision of service and outreach will build connections, invite people into the Riverside Church community and help take the Riverside Church message of service, love, and justice outside the building. You will have an understanding of the intrinsic connection between human dignity and social service. You will approach your work from a standpoint that values interpersonal relationships and appreciates the role of spiritual care in the work of social services.

Job Summary:

To work collaboratively and creatively with the Riverside Church social services team to identify strategic partnerships outside the church. To engage the congregation, lay leaders, ministerial staff, and community in implementing Riverside’s social service programs, campaigns, and initiatives. To foster understanding and engagement at the Riverside Church for local needs and outreach efforts. To achieve well-defined social service outcomes by leading members in establishing program priorities. To serve as the church’s representative to the marginalized in our community, while advocating for social justice, inside and outside of the church.

Job Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Management

• Provides staff leadership and management to the ministries within the social services program.
  1. Food Pantry
     • Corbin Hill Food Project Partnership
  2. Clothing Pantry
  3. Direct Aid
  4. Semi-Annual Clothing Sales
  5. Barber Training Program (currently on hiatus)
  6. Shower Program (currently on hiatus)
  7. Safe Haven Shelter (currently on hiatus)
• Designs and develops strategies for executing the church’s social service priorities.
• Leverages successful, outcome-based coalitions using excellent community organizing skills.
• Accesses/builds an extensive network of contacts in other congregations and social service organizations on the local, state and national level.
• Collaborates with other staff members and lay leaders to integrate social service work into other programmatic areas of the church.

Social Service Leadership

• Works with the Minister for Justice, Advocacy, and Change and the Social Services Committee, to identify and prioritize key areas of engagement connected to the church’s vision.
• Communicates priorities to the Mission and Social Justice Commission and congregation.
• Works with the Minister for Congregational Care and Older Adults to provide services and/or referrals for church members in need.
• Works with the Minister of Justice, Advocacy and Change to educate and equip members to examine and challenge existing social orders.
• Inspires and invites active engagement of the congregation in social service initiatives aimed at change.
• Facilitates training of congregants and other community members for effective engagement in social service work.

Administration

• Offers oversight to self-help groups and initiatives like Alcoholics Anonymous
• Develops process for social work case management and/or referrals.
• Develops and manages social service process related functions.
• Develops and manages the social services annual budget in collaboration with the Minister for Justice, Advocacy, and Change and the Social Services Committee.
• Serves as a staff liaison to the Mission and Social Justice Commission regarding social services.
• Partners with the Communications Department to develop and implement a communications plan for social service initiatives.
• Tracks effectiveness of programs, money, time, and impact.
• Serves as the Riverside point of contact for those seeking direct aid from the church.
• Creates and maintains a “living database” of social service and outreach opportunities in which church members can engage.
• Takes on other responsibilities as assigned by the Minister for Justice, Advocacy, and Change.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Spanish-language skills (speaking and writing) required.
• LMSW preferred; LCSW helpful.
• M.Div. degree preferred; theological training helpful.
• Experience with staff and program management required.
• Demonstrated skill in administration and budgeting required.
• Ability to cultivate meaningful relationships within communities, including partnerships with the public and private sectors.
• Experience with community organizing.
• Experience serving marginalized communities.
• Ability to develop and manage effective community-based programs.
• Connections and/or partnerships with reputable social work and social services institutions.
• Experience in a congregation or an organizational setting with a multi-cultural membership and a diverse staff.
• Excellent English and Spanish communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to interact collaboratively.

Technology Requirements:

Laptop and Cell phone provided.

Our organization offers a wide range of comprehensive benefits, including generous time off and a strong emphasis on achieving a great work-life balance.

TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee or applicant for employment shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are constantly striving to make our organization anti-racist. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. As an employee, you become part of that mission.

No relocation or sponsorship provided.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.