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 New Yorkers living with serious mental health concerns and experiencing poverty. We intervene at all parts of this cycle. We work to: secure financial and medical benefits to prevent homelessness and hospitalization; provide peer advocacy and social work support to empower clients in the community; collaborate on impact litigation; ensure proper discharge planning occurs prior to release from jail and psychiatric hospitals; connect people to the appropriate organizations through advice and referrals; and host community workshops to educate people about their rights and how to advocate for themselves and their peers.
Job Summary and Qualifications
The position will be part of an interdisciplinary team who provides advocacy services for adults with mental health concerns with low income. The disability advocate will be responsible for helping clients who are experiencing homelessness apply for federal disability benefits using the SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) model. SOAR is an evidence-based model that helps individuals with mental health concerns who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness apply for SSI/SSDI benefits.
The Mental Health Project seeks a candidate with the following qualifications:
• Excellent verbal advocacy and writing skills, with the ability to analyze extensive data and create written reports with accuracy and brevity;
• Strong attention to detail and time-management skills;
• Ability to manage numerous long-term cases with varying needs and deadlines;
• Experience and commitment to providing client-centered and trauma-informed advocacy;
• Commitment to anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and other social justice work;
• Ability to be collaborative and work with a team;
• SOAR experience preferred;
• Bachelor of Social Work is a plus;
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred, but not required.
Responsibilities:
• Represent clients in the application process for federal disability benefits;
• Thoroughly review medical records to assess eligibility for benefits and prepare applications;
• Gather medical records and other evidence to support clients’ applications;
• Conduct interviews, communicate, and maintain contact with clients, healthcare providers, shelter staff, supportive housing programs, parole and probation officers, case managers, and other community supports to support client applications;
• Write SOAR Medical Summary Reports for individual applications;
• Accompany individuals to appointments at the Social Security Administration offices, medical appointments, and other appointments as needed;
• Work with referral sources and community partners to identify applicants through outreach and meetings;
• Maintain and manage client files and databases;
• Collaborate with MHP team members to help clients access mental health treatment and provide holistic advocacy services.
The Mental Health Project is currently on a hybrid working schedule. The work schedule will depend on and may change given the Project’s needs.
Benefits/Compensation:
Salary ranges from $53,329.60 - $55,943.79 annually with excellent benefits.
How to Apply:
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, references, and a 3–5-page writing sample to mhpjobs@urbanjustice.org. Please write “Disability Advocate Position” in the e-mail subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for immediate hire. Due to the high volume, we are unable to respond to all applicants and only contact candidates selected for further consideration.
The Urban Justice Center (UJC) is strongly committed to equal employment opportunities for all individuals. UJC will make all employment decisions for employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, actual or perceived physical, mental, or other disability, veteran status, lawful use of health insurance benefits, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW, Local 2320.
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