Social Worker

Company Overview:

Since 1968, Brooklyn A has provided free legal services for low-income residents of Brooklyn, pursuing neighborhood-based mission of justice, empowerment and community development. For over half a century, we have utilized an array of legal and advocacy strategies—community organizing, affirmative civil rights litigation, and eviction defense to defend the rights of individuals and families. Collaboration with the city, state, and federal officials to enforce housing laws and develop legislative solutions is also an integral part of our strategy.  Brooklyn A has three core programs—Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) Program, Consumer & Economic Advocacy (CEA) Program, and Community & Economic Development (CED) Program—each of which has unique initiatives and plays a vital community role to ensure basic needs are met and fundamental rights affirmed.

Position Summary:

The PAH-Queens Social Worker who will be responsible for referral services and limited counseling to clients in support of or related to their legal issues. They will advocate on behalf of clients to obtain services and entitlements. The Social Worker will develop, conduct, and participate in community outreach, education, and training which may occur during evenings and weekends. They will strategize and support staff attorneys and other advocates on how to best interact with and support clients with medical, mental health and other special needs and prepare necessary reports, proposals, and other documents relating to the work.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Provide social services needs assessments and oversee client services planning and implementing, and case management functions;
• Advocate on behalf of clients to secure appropriate and timely benefits, entitlements, and services from social and governmental agencies;
• Develop referral resources and provide clients with referrals appropriate to their service needs as related to the legal case, and maintaining liaisons with referral resources, service providers, community agencies, private and public institutions;
• Assist clients in identifying service needs, which may include but not be limited to medical, mental health or additional specific social service concerns and preparing clients for engaging in services;
• Develop service plans for and prepare clients to more effectively advocate on their own behalf;
• Provide supportive counseling, crisis intervention, education and emergency safety planning to clients and designated collateral parties as needed;
• Confer and consult with attorneys and their clients on social work advocacy relevant to legal matters;
• Accompany vulnerable clients to various venues relating to legal case or supporting referrals, e.g. court, appointments with administrative agencies and / or community-based organizations;
• Develop, conduct, and participate in outreach, education, and training with community groups and agencies which may occur during evening and weekends;
• Prepare necessary reports, proposals, and other documents relating to work;
• Prepare letters, complete forms, and request documents to secure services for Brooklyn A clients.;
• Supervise graduate level Social Work students, where permissible
• Attend meetings and perform administrative tasks, such as timekeeping and case notes; and
• As an emerging team leader, provide feedback, mentorship and present to staff on best practices.

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s degree in social work, Counseling or related field preferred;
• New York State Certification in social work or licensed social worker preferred;
• Minimum 3 years’ working with clients who have emergency housing issues, loss of employment, physical impairment / disability, mental illness, experiencing intimate partner violence, and substance abuse, etc.;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, local organizations and people in desperate crisis;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with client/tenants of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
• Ability to write with minimal error memorandum, correspondence, and other documentation;
• Excellent advocacy skills in English, bi-lingual Spanish or other language preferred;
• Ability to work independently with strong motivation, to manage a high case load, track case data, meet deadlines, and to be flexible;
• Computer proficiency sufficient to independently review and generate case notes and reports
• Maintain up-to-date client information in Brooklyn A’s case management system to ensure accurate data collection and statistical tracking;
• Collaborate as needed with program managers and development team to write narrative reports for grant and contracts;
• Basic knowledge of New York City and State housing laws and rules, as well as government benefits eligibility and processes; and
• Thorough commitment to Brooklyn A’s mission.

Compensation & Benefits 

Annual salary $70,000-$78,000, dependent on experience. Benefits highlights - 27 days vacation; employer paid health, dental and vision insurance; employer contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave. 

To apply:  

If you are interested in this position, you must submit your resume and a cover letter telling us why your experiences would make you a good fit for this role. This is a hybrid position based in Queens -- in-office 3 days/remote work 2 days. 

Brooklyn A is a diverse team that is committed to recruiting, supporting, retaining, and promoting a talented staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences that share the organization's commitment to racial, economic and social justice. At Brooklyn A, diversity encompasses a variety of characteristics, lifestyles, and perspectives, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, disability, socio-economic status, and family status. We firmly believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is essential to both the quality of our client services and the personal satisfaction of our staff.   

  
We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and with lived experiences in the communities we serve.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed.  

Salary : $70,000 - $78,000