Social Worker

Ideal Start Date: March 10th, 2025 

How to Apply 

Please email a cover letter (no more than two pages), resume, and three references to jobs@artsneworleans.org. Include your name and Social Worker in the subject line. Resumes submitted without a cover letter or sent by a job service will not be reviewed. 

Social Worker Job Description 

Arts New Orleans is hiring a full-time Social Worker to join its Young Artist Movement (YAM) program team. The Social Worker will support juvenile system-involved youth in the YAM Juvenile Diversion Program.  

We seek an individual with strong experience working with youth and their families, as well as a deep understanding of the New Orleans community and culture. 

The Social Worker will provide case management support tailored to youth participants’ needs, including: family support, school visits, connections to community resources, and support with navigating social and justice systems. The Social Worker will identify the wraparound services that are necessary to support both students and their families to eliminate enabling and/or disempowering circumstances that perpetuate risky behaviors. The Social Worker will work on a team with the Director of Youth Education and an Art Therapist who will provide therapeutic counseling and mental health support.  

The ideal candidate will have a deep appreciation for the value of the arts in promoting wellbeing for youth and their communities. 

Job Qualifications 

• Must embrace the mission of Arts New Orleans 
• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) required 
• Licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), with a preference for extensive field experience working in the New Orleans community 
• 3 years of experience in working with New Orleans youth in community, school, or non-profit capacities, with a preference for candidates who have worked with system-involved youth  
• Strong ability to communicate with youth and their families in a relatable and culturally relevant manner 
• Compassion for youth and their families who have been impacted by the criminal justice system 
• Strong knowledge of restorative approaches and trauma-informed practices 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills 
• Self-starter capable of managing responsibilities independently, while also working collaboratively to coordinate holistic support for youth 

Job Responsibilities 

• Provide case management support tailored to youth participants’ and their families’ needs, including: 
• Family support and communication, including home visits 
• School visits  
• Connections to community resources, including financial assistance and other supports 
• Support with navigating social and justice systems 
• Please note that the Social Worker will NOT be required to conduct clinical therapy sessions. Therapy will be provided by the Art Therapist.  
• Participate in YAM Juvenile Diversion Program sessions   
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Youth Education and Art Therapist to coordinate holistic support for youth 
• Provide crisis intervention support and respond to urgent situations involving youth participants, such as trauma, grief, or conflict. 
• Use restorative methods and practices to navigate conflicts with youth and their families (such as restorative circles) and participate in professional development opportunities on restorative practices  
• Provide an additional 4 weeks of follow-up support to youth and their families after the completion of the 12-week diversion program, including supporting students in their transition to the mainstream YAM program, another youth program, or integrating back into the setting of their home/community environments 
• Facilitate a youth-centered approach in which diversion participants are central in developing their own goals for participation, including: 
• Assisting youth participants and their parents/guardians with creating a shared goal tracker to be circulated between YAM Juvenile Diversion program staff, home, school, and referring juvenile system partner to monitor progress at YAM while in diversion.  
• Supporting youth in creating a personal follow-up tracker that they can use beyond their involvement in diversion  
• Build strong relationships with families to promote collaboration and trust and serve as a family advocate, ensuring parents are informed and engaged in their child’s participation and well-being. 
• Maintain confidentiality while working with youth 
• Maintain accurate and organized records and materials in Sharepoint  
• Keep copies of all receipts and document all expenses  
• Ensure timely and thorough completion of all paperwork as required for grant reporting and juvenile legal system referring agencies  
• Participate in bi-weekly Arts New Orleans staff meetings on Thursdays, 10am-12pm 
• Support Arts New Orleans events (such as LUNA Fête) as required 

Schedule 

The Social Worker’s schedule will be decided with their supervisor, the Director of Youth Education, in line with the YAM Juvenile Diversion Program schedule and based upon the availability of youth and families served.  

Weekday evenings and Saturdays will be required. During the school year, the YAM Juvenile Diversion program meets on Mondays/Wednesdays 4:30-7pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm.  

Salary & Benefits 

• This is a full-time employee position (40 hours/week)   
• Salary range is $55,000 - $65,000, commensurate with experience and other qualifications 
• Arts New Orleans pays 100% of team members' health insurance 
• 403(b) retirement plan through Mutual of America, with Arts New Orleans matching 2% of your total salary 
• Flexible vacation 

This full-time position is funded by a two-year grant that will end in December 2026. We are actively fundraising to sustain this position beyond the grant term. 

How We Work 

The Arts New Orleans team primarily works remotely, although we have a studio where team members often work and staff meetings are held. This job requires attendance at evening and/or weekend meetings, events or workshops. Arts New Orleans is involved in numerous community activations, including monthly art markets, openings at our Salon Gallery, and public art unveilings. Additionally, team members regularly attend performances, gallery openings, art festivals, and other cultural activities! 

Is Our Social Worker Role a Good Fit for You? 

If you are passionate about making a difference in the arts, possess the outlined skills and qualifications, and thrive in a remote-first environment that values autonomy and connection, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity. 

Application Deadline 

Applications can be submitted until February 7, 2025, but we encourage candidates to submit their application as soon as possible. Interviews will be scheduled February 17-19, 2025.  

About Arts New Orleans & the Young Artist Movement Program 

Now in its fourth decade, the Arts Council of New Orleans (dba Arts New Orleans) is a private, nonprofit organization that supports arts and culture in the city. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in New Orleans by supporting, activating, and investing in our city's greatest natural resource: our artists, cultural producers, and creative community. 

The Young Artist Movement (YAM) Juvenile Diversion Program is an innovative program designed to engage juvenile system-involved youth in community-centered public art projects. Using the transformative power of arts and culture, the 12-week program aims to reduce recidivism and mitigate the negative impacts of prolonged juvenile system involvement. Key components include: 

1. Creative Workforce Development: Participants work alongside professional artists, creating public murals and sculptures while developing creative, professional, and leadership skills. Youth receive stipends to support consistent attendance. 
2. Restorative Approaches: The program emphasizes communication, trust-building, and conflict resolution through restorative practices. 
3. Wraparound Support: An Art Therapist provides therapeutic counseling, while a Social Worker offers tailored case management, including family support, school liaison services, and assistance navigating social and justice systems. Homework help is also provided. 
4. Mentorship: Dedicated YAM staff, professional artists, and youth leaders mentor participants throughout the creative process. 

The program accommodates 10 youth per cohort, offering flexible entry points for year-round referrals. Youth are referred to the program through juvenile legal system agencies, such as the District Attorney’s office, Juvenile Court, or law enforcement. 

Upon completion, diversion participants can join the main YAM program and pursue leadership roles within the diversion program. By enhancing young people's lives through the arts, the program aims to improve public safety as a natural byproduct.  

Learn more at YAM: https://www.artsneworleans.org/collection/young-artist-movement-yam/.