MSW Social Worker for Housing Advocacy Practice

BRONX LEGAL SERVICES SEEKS

MSW SOCIAL WORKER

FOR HOUSING ADVOCACY PRACTICE

Description

Bronx Legal Services seeks a full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) to join its housing advocacy practice. Our housing practice focuses on preserving affordable housing in the Bronx for low- to moderate-income tenants. In an effort to achieve this goal, we represent individuals in Housing Court proceedings, challenge rent overcharges in various forums, bring individual and group HPs against landlords to obtain repairs for tenants, and file affirmative litigation. We have ties to tenant organizing groups in the communities we serve and work together with them to ensure that our practice reflects the needs and desires of these communities. The housing practice Social Worker will join the Social Work Unit at Bronx Legal Services and collaborate closely with housing attorneys, paralegals, and other advocates.

About Bronx Legal Services

Bronx Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) and provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the presenting legal needs of Bronx’ diverse, low-income communities. LSNYC’s mission is to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals. LSNYC provides numerous opportunities for growth and professional development.

Experience and Qualifications

The Social Worker will be responsible for assisting people who are at risk of eviction. Responsibilities will include:

· Providing case management support to individuals and families at risk of eviction and displacement.

· Comfort in conducting regular home visits, with client consent, to assess housing conditions, client needs, and provide case management assistance as needed.

· Comfort in accompanying clients in-field, as per their consent, to assist with advocacy and accessible needs.

· Providing psychosocial assessments for individuals with a wide range of mental health, substance use, and psychosocial concerns, to assist clients in accessing necessary services and supports, or for the purpose of determining litigation options.

· Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team is preferred but not required

· Drafting supportive affidavits, appearing in court, and testifying on behalf of clients, with their consent, regarding psychosocial assessments.

· Providing crisis intervention and referrals to culturally appropriate services to address immediate client needs

· Identifying and establishing relationships with social, medical, and other services needed to assist our clients.

· Advocating on behalf of our clients to access public benefits, social services, and medical care, in addition to other systems impacting our clients

Qualifications include:

· Master of Social Work degree, New York State license preferred (will be required as soon as is feasible upon date of hire).

· 1-2 years post graduate experience working with and/or on behalf of people who experience mental health, substance use, and trauma-related conditions.

· Experience working with clients in-community and in their homes.

· A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.

· SIFI certified, preferred, but not required.

· Experience providing case management to vulnerable populations.

· Familiarity with New York City (NYC) social service systems.

· Experience providing client advocacy related to housing and homelessness

· Knowledge of various housing resources and vouchers available through social services.

· Experience providing short-term counseling and crisis intervention.

· Experience conducting psychosocial assessments.

· Outstanding organizational, planning, and time management skills.

· Excellent interpersonal skills.

· Outstanding communication, research, and writing skills.

· Fluency in Spanish, or another language spoken in the communities we serve, preferred but not required.

How to Apply

Bronx Legal Services acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description’s qualifications. We understand that the ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed above or be equally proficient in each area; we especially encourage applicants who are impacted by LSNYC’s work to submit their application anyway.

This is a hybrid in-office/remote work position with 50% in-office and/or field work required. This is a union position and clinical supervision toward the C credential is provided and guaranteed as per union contract. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys advocacy and has a strong interest in advancing housing rights and combatting homelessness. Link to apply is below. We are seeking to fill this position ASAP.

The salary range for this position is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The salary range is $70,512 - $145,980, dependent on years of post-MSW social work experience.

Competitive benefits package including hybrid remote work policy, excellent medical, pre-tax flexible benefits and retirement plans along with generous annual (23-28 days) and sick leave (18 days). Clinical supervision and the ability to earn hours toward social work clinical credential provided.

To apply for the position, send your resume, cover letter, recent writing sample, and names of three (3) professional references to:

The subject line should read: Housing Social Worker

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please, no telephone calls and no mailed applications.

Bronx Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people over the age of forty are all welcome and encouraged to apply.