The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice has an opening for a Social Worker in the Brooklyn Office of the Aging. The Brooklyn Office for the Aging provides a broad range of civil legal services for senior citizens, with an emphasis on housing (especially rent regulation and government housing subsidy issues), government benefits (such as Social Security/SSI disability and non-disability issues, SCRIE, public assistance), health law (Medicare, Medicaid, home care, nursing home), family law, consumer law, guardianship, and advanced directives. The Social Worker is part of an interdisciplinary team and also carries an individual caseload wherein they provide advocacy and counseling services on behalf of seniors.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
* Perform initial needs assessment screening
* Provide short-term social service assistance and refer clients to outside agencies for short- and long-term social service assistance
* Perform crisis intervention and short-term counseling
* Help clients navigate social welfare systems and develop casework plans in conjunction with the attorneys that include providing housing-related benefits assistance
* Provide public assistance advocacy, fill out ongoing rental assistance and one shot rental assistance applications, and advocate for workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, Medicaid, and charitable grants
* Network with mental health, vocational, and educational agencies
* Advocate with City, State, and federal agencies
* Training, community outreach, and education for individuals, local community-based organizations, and the elderly at senior citizen centers
* Policy advocacy
* This position may require home visits to homebound clients, off-site intake, and evening hours as needed
SECONDARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
* Other duties as assigned
* Candidates must have an MSW degree and New York State certification in social work (LMSW); candidates with pending certification will also be considered
* Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people and immigrants is strongly desired
* Ability to interface with court personnel and immigration judges
* Ability to negotiate with community-based treatment providers
* Ability to develop treatment plans quickly
* Strong organizational and court advocacy skills
* Excellent writing, verbal, organization, and computer skills
* Ability to work within a team model
* Interest in research
* Ability to handle a high volume of individual cases and respond to the needs of community-based organizations
* Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required
The Legal Aid Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer -- Women, People of Color, Gays and Lesbians, Transgender People, Veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
If you have any questions about this posting email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.