Social Service Director

Social Services Director Ballard Center | Seattle, Washington Salary: $80160.40 - $83,200, based on experience and licensure

Help people through some of life's most important moments.

The best Social Services Directors don't just complete assessments or coordinate discharges.

They calm worried families.

They advocate for residents who can't always advocate for themselves.

They bring order to complicated situations, help people navigate difficult transitions, and make sure every resident is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

If that sounds like why you chose this profession, we'd love to meet you.

At Ballard Center , you'll be more than a department head—you'll be a trusted leader, an essential member of our interdisciplinary team, and someone whose ideas genuinely help shape the future of our facility.

Why you'll love working here

We believe great resident care starts with great people.

That's why we're committed to creating a workplace where every department works together, every voice is respected, and everyone is focused on one goal—helping our residents live their best lives.

When You Join Ballard Center, You'll Find

• A collaborative leadership team that values your expertise
• Direct access to the Administrator and executive leadership
• An interdisciplinary team that works together—not in silos
• The opportunity to improve processes instead of simply maintaining them
• A department where your ideas are welcomed and your leadership matters
• A culture built around teamwork, compassion, accountability, and continuous improvement

We know the work isn't always easy.

But we also know it's incredibly rewarding when you have the right people beside you.

The work you already know

You've Probably Been The One Who

• Helped a nervous family finally feel at peace with a care decision.
• Coordinated a complicated discharge that everyone thought would fall apart.
• Advocated for a resident whose voice wasn't being heard.
• Worked through difficult conversations with empathy, professionalism, and patience.
• Noticed subtle changes in a resident before anyone else did.

That's the kind of work we value.

Because behind every successful care plan is someone who truly understands people.

What you'll do

As our Social Services Director , you'll lead the psychosocial and discharge planning program for our 142-bed skilled nursing facility .

You'll report directly to the Administrator and serve as a valued member of the facility leadership team, helping guide resident-centered decisions every day.

Resident & Family Support

• Complete psychosocial assessments
• Develop individualized psychosocial care plans
• Assist residents as they adjust to placement
• Facilitate family meetings and care conferences
• Support residents and loved ones through difficult life transitions

Discharge Planning

• Coordinate safe, successful discharges
• Partner with hospitals, home health agencies, HCS, DDA, assisted living communities, adult family homes, hospice providers, and community organizations
• Ensure residents have the resources they need for successful transitions

Resident Advocacy

• Protect resident rights and dignity
• Manage grievances and follow-up
• Support Resident Council initiatives
• Coordinate advance directives, POLST documentation, guardianship, and representative payee needs

Care Planning & Compliance

• Complete MDS Section Q referrals
• Coordinate PASRR Level I and II requirements
• Maintain compliance with federal regulations and Washington State requirements
• Manage transfer, discharge, and bed-hold notices
• Coordinate Ombudsman and DSHS notifications
• Participate in survey readiness and Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI)

Behavioral Health Collaboration

Work closely with nursing, rehabilitation, providers, psychiatric services, and families to support residents experiencing behavioral health challenges using trauma-informed, resident-centered approaches.

Leadership & Team Development

As the leader of the Social Services department, you'll oversee and mentor our Social Services Assistant , fostering a collaborative, resident-centered team that delivers exceptional support to residents and families.

You'll provide day-to-day guidance, help prioritize departmental responsibilities, ensure regulatory compliance, and create an environment where your team can grow professionally while delivering outstanding service.

Working closely with facility leadership, you'll have the opportunity to strengthen department processes, improve resident outcomes, and help shape the future of Social Services at Ballard Center.

What success looks like

Success isn't measured by paperwork alone.

It's measured by residents and families who feel supported, respected, and heard.

In This Role, Success Means

• Residents receive compassionate, individualized support.
• Families know who to call and trust the answers they receive.
• Discharges are coordinated safely and efficiently.
• Regulatory requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Survey readiness is maintained year-round—not just before survey.
• The Social Services department is viewed as an essential partner across the entire facility.

Required We're excited to meet someone who has:

• Bachelor's degree in: Social Work, Human Services, or a related field

• Two or more years of experience in skilled nursing or post-acute care social services

• Experience leading or supporting a Social Services department

• Knowledge of:

• Federal Requirements of Participation

• WAC 388-97

• PASRR

• DSHS regulations

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman process

• Experience using PointClickCare or another electronic medical record

Preferred

• MSW
• Washington credential (LSWAIC, LASW, or LICSW)
• Supervisory experience
• Survey and Plan of Correction experience

Most importantly...

We're looking for someone who leads with compassion, communicates with confidence, stays organized under pressure, and believes every resident deserves exceptional care.

What we offer

Competitive Compensation

• $80,160.40 to $83,200 Annually

Excellent Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

Invest in Your Future

We're committed to helping our team grow.

We Offer

• Continuing education opportunities
• CEU and license renewal reimbursement
• Leadership development
• Career advancement opportunities throughout our organization

Flexible Pay

Need access to your earnings before payday?

With UKG Wallet , you can access earned wages when you need them.

Why Ballard Center?

We're proud to serve the Ballard community with compassionate, high-quality skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.

Every day, our team works together to improve lives—not just through exceptional clinical care, but by creating an environment where residents feel respected, supported, and at home.

We're building something special, and we'd love for you to be part of it.

Let's talk.

Not every great Social Services Director is actively searching for a new position.

If you're simply curious about the opportunity, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation—no résumé or application required.

We'd love to tell you more about our team, our residents, and where we're headed.

Apply today—or reach out to start the conversation. Ballard Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.