Social Workers (MSW), Brooklyn Legal Services

at  Legal Services NYC

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.
LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. Further, LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and aims to create a work environment where everyone can bring their full selves to the work.
Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS) seeks a full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) to join an interdisciplinary team of legal advocates.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated passion for social justice and commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with PLWHA and/or LGBTQ people;
• Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse ages, and national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Master of Social Work degree and New York State LMSW license (license will be required within one year from date of hire);
• Experience and comfort working with people who experience mental health-, medical-, and trauma related conditions;
• Case management and client advocacy experience with vulnerable community members;
• Familiarity with New York City institutions and social service systems;
• Experience providing crisis intervention and short-term, supportive counseling;
• Ability to work both independently to self-manage day-to-day schedule with clients and as part of a collaborative team;
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, communication and oral presentation skills;
• Outstanding organizational, planning, and time management skills;
• Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) certified, (preferred)
• Experience working as a social worker in a legal environment or as part of an interdisciplinary team (preferred);
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, internet research, etc., and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies; and
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish or other language(s) commonly spoken by our client communities (preferred).

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested individuals should submit a résumé, cover letter, and two writing samples below. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls please.
BLS offers an excellent benefits package, hybrid remote work policy, and highly competitive public interest salary. Clinical social work supervision provided. We offer excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision plans; contributions to a 403(b) plan; generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience (determined by Collective Bargaining Agreement). Staff members who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320. Brooklyn Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer: people of color; women; people with disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people; and people over the age of 40 are welcome and encouraged to apply. We are committed to race, gender, and economic justice in our work and within our workplace.
Inclusion Statement: Studies have shown that women and people of color are more hesitant than others to apply for jobs where they fear they may not fully meet every single qualification listed. While this list of qualifications represents the qualities that we are looking for in an applicant, we are looking for the best candidate for the job. If you are interested in this position and have substantial relevant experience, we encourage you to apply even if you do not fully meet every criterion listed above.
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reason.

Salary Range (Dependent on years of experience):

• 1-10 years: $62,805 -$85,108
• 11-20 years: $87,256 - $104,721
• 21+ years: $109,961 - $120,073

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.
Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply

The Social Worker will provide a range of services including but not limited to:

• Partner with an interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive legal representation, determine case strategy for clients, address clients’ non-legal needs, and assist clients in understanding the legal process;
• Collaborate with other Unit staff in developing social work frameworks and crisis intervention tools;
• Advocate for clients in a variety of fora, including, but not limited to, housing court, Supreme Court, the Commission on Human Rights, the Human Resources Administration, supportive housing providers, and hospitals;
• Support clients in identifying and addressing medical, mental health, housing, education and social service needs;
• Provide supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and community referrals to culturally- and linguistically-appropriate services;
• Identify and establish relationships with other community services needed to assist our clients;
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and evaluations of clients to assist in their legal case;
• Prepare service plans and provide clients with court accompaniment, advocacy, and counseling support;
• Complete home visits to clients to assess client needs, housing conditions, and to provide case management assistance;
• Collaborate with other BLS social work staff to develop and share relevant resources and trainings to colleagues;
• Attend community events, provide community education, and trainings, as necessary;
• Prepare data reports, as necessary.