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Posted by: Lucy Freeman - 1/14/2020
Job Expires: 2/5/2020
Director of Social Work

The Urban Justice Center Mental Health Project (MHP) seeks a passionate full-time Director of Social Work to co-lead our direct advocacy services and community education team. The Director ensures the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive services for MHP's clients. The Director oversees MHP's direct advocacy service practice areas that include Social Security disability applications, discharge planning advocacy from psychiatric hospitals, public benefits, supportive housing applications, placement in supportive housing programs, and advocacy for people living homeless shelters. The Director also oversees MHP's in-house and external community education, outreach, and programming.

Who Are We?

MHP is a team of attorneys, social workers, advocates, and peer specialists dedicated to disrupting and dismantling the cycle of hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration that traps low-income New Yorkers with serious mental health concerns. We intervene at all parts of this cycle: we work to secure financial and medical benefits to prevent homelessness and hospitalization; we provide peer advocacy and social work support to empower clients in the community; we collaborate on impact litigation; we ensure proper discharge planning occurs prior to release from jail and psychiatric hospitals; we connect people to the appropriate organizations through advice and referrals; and we host community workshops to educate people about their rights and how to advocate for themselves and their peers.

Requirements:

  • NYS Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) Certification
  • Five years post-MSW degree experience providing advocacy, in-depth needs assessments, crisis intervention, and comprehensive case management
  • Experience providing supervision of comprehensive case management and advocacy, crisis intervention, program management, and program development
  • Experience working in a legal setting and/or experience working collaboratively with attorneys
  • Experience working with individuals with serious mental health concerns and individuals who have been impacted by the criminal legal system
  • Strong anti-oppression, anti-racist, and social justice analysis and lens

Responsibilities:

Social Work Program Coordination and Development

  • Co-lead an interdisciplinary team providing advocacy services and/or workshops for people with mental health concerns and history of incarceration
  • Develop systems for efficient and effective client intake
  • Develop an outreach strategy to inform the mental health community about MHP's work
  • Coordinate MHP's Community Advisory Board

Staff and Intern Supervision and Development

  • Supervise and support two Social Workers, one Peer Specialist, and other staff as necessary
  • Recruit and supervise MSW graduate students
  • Support staff navigating challenges with clients
  • Provide trainings on suicidal ideation and other topics as needed for staff and interns

Direct Work

  • Carry a small caseload of clients in need of advocacy services and/or social work support
  • Provide assessments for suicidal ideation and crisis interventions for clients
  • Assist with monthly Open Mic events for MHP's clients (this will require working one evening per month)
  • Facilitate workshops in the community about various topics related to mental health, including reentry into the community from the criminal legal system

Grant Management

  • Oversee the advocacy team's compliance with City and State grants
  • Assist with reporting about deliverables to funders
  • Participate in audits and site visits from funders

Benefits/Compensation:

Salary is DOE. The Urban Justice Center offers a flexible work environment and a highly competitive benefits package that includes vacation, personal, and sick time; medical and dental coverage; vision and gym reimbursements; and a 401(k) plan.

How to Apply:

To apply send a cover letter and resume to MHPJobs@urbanjustice.org. Please write "Director of Social Work" in the e-mail subject line. Applications will be viewed on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to applications received by February 4, 2020. Due to high volume we are unable to respond to all applicants. We will contact only those candidates selected for further consideration.

The Urban Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, SOGIE, age, disability, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, or marital status. People with lived experience of mental health concerns and/or criminal legal system involvement are encouraged to apply.

 
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