BSW Social Worker, Denver

Job Title: BSW - Social Worker

Location: Denver

Classification: Non-exempt

Reports To: Manager, Client Support Services

Salary Range: $50, 670 - $78,336 plus $4,200 yearly stipend. Salary commensurate with experience.

Organization Overview:
Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen offices
providing civil legal assistance to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal
assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer
protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others.

CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 90
years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals
throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about
substantive, transformational change in the lives of those we serve.

Position Summary:
The Client Support Services (CSS) unit at CLS works with clients receiving civil legal assistance from CLS attorneys.

CSS staff work as an interdisciplinary member of the legal team to provide resources, case management, and/or

brief supportive services to assist clients with achieving positive legal outcomes and developing skills for ongoing

stability. In addition to providing direct client services, CSS staff conducts community outreach, builds and

maintains community partnerships, and provides education to CLS staff on topics including best practices for

working with clients, trauma informed care, and staff resilience.

This position will partner with the Denver Housing Unit (DHU) to provide interdisciplinary services to clients

facing evictions and housing problems. The social worker in this position requires demonstrated high quality

social work skills, empathy, ability to adapt, and self-motivated approach to provide holistic services to clients.

Work in this position will also include direct work with vulnerable clients who may experience mental health

and substance use problems that affect their daily functioning and ability to communicate and complete tasks

related to their legal case. The social worker in this position should feel comfortable meeting clients in the

community, in their homes, and at courthouses. This position will staff a legal clinic in Arapahoe County 1x per

week.

Essential Duties:

• Interview adult clients and assess legal, social, possible medical, psychological, and other needs to assist

them to better navigate the legal process, using the social determinants of health.

• Provide brief, limited, advocacy and support to address clients’ needs to refer to and coordinate

counseling, medical and mental health treatment, housing, public benefits, and other social services.

Jan 2024

• Coordinate communication with and advocate on behalf of adult clients to law enforcement, victim

advocates, government agencies, social service agencies, educational institutions, medical and legal

professionals, and others to help clients understand and navigate systems.

• Consult and collaborate with CLS attorneys, paralegals, and others to resolve client support matters and

ensure CLS clients are served in meaningful ways beyond the delivery of legal services.

• Knowledge and understanding of systemic issues related to housing,

• Act as a resource expert at CLS’s Arapahoe Eviction clinic and support clients seeking legal services.

• Collaborate and coordinate with internal and external programs to facilitate client referrals and to

ensure continuity of care. Serve as a liaison with collaborating agencies and other teams within the

organization, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with organizations and groups

who serve our target population.

• Maintain up-to-date client support information in CLS’s case management system to ensure accurate

data collection and statistical tracking of support services provided.

• Keep current with area resources available and relevant to clients’ needs including building and

maintaining connections with new resources and community-based partnerships.

• Adhere to Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, including rules regarding the attorney-client privilege

and client confidentiality.

• Design/Lead/Participate in CLS statewide training and other educational activities regarding trauma

informed care, boundary setting, de-escalation methods, and educating non-social workers about the

Client Support Services unit.

• Occasional evening and weekend hours, as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a School of Social Work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education

• 1 years of direct work with vulnerable clients in the community

• A sensitivity to the needs of low-income individuals, seniors, individuals with disabilities, minorities, and

individuals with limited English proficiency is required

• Ability to travel to clients’ homes, community organizations, and/or courthouses

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.

• Thrive working in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, interns, and volunteers in a team-centered environment

Preferred Qualifications:
• 1 years' experience working with individuals facing legal problems

• Previous experience providing direct services in the community

• Familiarity with systems-related housing problems

• Self-motivated and innovative

• Strong organization and leadership skills

• Fluency in Spanish

Jan 2024

Compensation and Benefits:
We offer a generous plan that includes 100% employer paid premiums for employee health, dental, vision,
life, and long-term disability insurance as well as partial employer paid premiums for spouses/dependents,
based on a sliding scale. We also offer Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, a 403(b)
retirement account, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, CLS offers a $350.00 monthly
stipend (to be used as you choose), generous paid time-off and 12.5 paid holidays per year. CLS values its
employees’ commitment to working hard for the population it serves and recognizes the importance of
work/life balance; therefore, we offer flexible work schedules and hybrid work arrangements as appropriate.
We promote and foster a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe work environment, striving to
be a “Best Place to Work” in Colorado.

How to Apply:
Please email a copy of your resume and cover letter to hiring@colegalserv.org. Please include “BSW Social
Worker - Denver” in the subject line.

Note: Please mention how you heard about the job announcement in your email.

Please no solicitations from recruitment firms.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:
CLS embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed
to building and retaining a workforce that respects and empowers each individual and represents a variety of
diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for this
position.

Jan 2024