Social Worker - The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY : Job Details

JOB SUMMARY The Social Worker provides critical support to the Attorney for the Child by conducting client interviews, gathering essential information, and offering supportive services to clients in a wide range of Family Court matters, including child abuse and neglect, custody, visitation, permanent termination of parental rights, paternity, juvenile delinquency, and persons in need of supervision. This role involves developing alternative disposition plans, preparing witnesses, and facilitating communication between clients, service providers, and legal staff. The Social Worker also ensures that clients understand the court process, connects them to needed resources, and maintains detailed, accurate documentation to assist in legal representation. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interviews children and adolescents in a variety of settings (agency office, foster homes, family residences, Family Court, residential placements, etc.) regarding Family Court proceedings.
• Conducts home visits and inspections to assess living conditions and client safety.
• Interviews parents or guardians, as assigned.
• Contacts service providers (schools, Department of Human Services, healthcare providers, etc.), parents, and foster parents to obtain or update information on the client's status.
• Maintains thorough, accurate, and timely progress notes and recommendations for the Attorney for the Child.
• Provides factual and contextual information to assist in case preparation and strategy.
• Develops comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments for clients.
• Identifies client needs and recommends appropriate services or interventions.
• Makes referrals to community resources, ensuring eligibility requirements are met and services are accessed.
• Follows up with clients and service providers to verify service provision and effectiveness.
• Prepares clients for court appearances by explaining procedures, expectations, and roles.
• Introduces clients to the Attorney for the Child and accompanies them during legal proceedings when needed.
• Serves subpoenas and escorts clients to court or attorney interviews.
• Assists with re-interviews and trial preparation for witnesses.
• Participates in Attorney for the Child (AFC) staff meetings, Legal Aid Society staff meetings, and cross-program collaborative activities.
• Supports the Supervising Social Worker in training and mentoring social work student interns, as assigned and qualified.
• Collaborates with attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff to ensure the highest quality of client representation.

OTHER DUTIES

• Serves subpoenas, performs court runs, and delivers legal documents as required.
• Assists other Legal Aid Society programs with social work support when needed.
• Attends relevant professional development trainings to maintain and enhance knowledge in child welfare, mental health, and community resources.
• Performs additional tasks at the discretion of the Supervising Attorney for the Child to support organizational needs.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Master's degree in Social Work preferred; Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field with a minimum of two years of relevant work experience will be considered.
• Prior experience working with children, families, or individuals involved in the child welfare or legal system strongly preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organization skills.
• Demonstrated empathy, cultural sensitivity, and respectful engagement with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software tools.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and community partners.
• Access to reliable transportation for travel to various work sites, court appearances, and client meetings.
• Ability to work productively in a remote or hybrid-work environment; familiarity with virtual communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom. etc. preferred.
• Commitment to social justice and a passion for serving underprivileged communities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or workstation while performing administrative tasks.
• Regular use of computers and other office equipment, requiring manual dexterity and visual concentration.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings, training sessions, or other events.
• Ability to communicate effectively with associates, supervisors, and external stakeholders in person, over the phone, or via email.
• Office-based environment with standard office equipment and ergonomic furniture.
• Exposure to typical office noises such as phone calls, conversations, and office equipment operation.
• Work will be performed in an in-office environment.
• Occasional travel may be required for attending training sessions, conferences, or other related events.

BENEFITS

• Hybrid Work schedule
• Paid Lunch Hour
• Employer contributions toward health and dental insurance plans
• Up to:
  • 15 days of vacation to start (More based on experience)
  • 96 hours of sick leave
  • 48 hours of personal time
  • 14 paid holidays a year
  • $600 per year internet stipend
  • 3% match on the 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan of your choice
  • 5% language differential for being proficient in a program-relevant language
• Professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.