Social Worker [MSW] - Housing (Tenant Rights Coalition) - Legal Services NYC : Job Details

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer.

Brooklyn Legal Services seeks a full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) to join its Tenant Rights Coalition in our Brownsville Office at 1709 St. Mark's Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11233.

Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS), part of Legal Services-NYC (LSNYC), provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn's diverse low-income population. BLS focuses on the problems that have the most significant impact on our clients, e.g., preserving affordable housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for vulnerable populations including low-immigrants, older adults, veterans, and people living with disabilities. As a community-centered, social justice organization, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where staff and clients feel welcome. Through our various affinity groups and committees, we actively work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore, grow in our understanding of and challenge barriers to opportunity within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about and seek to understand, identify and overcome barriers to justice, from individual preconceptions to structural obstacles, and work to realize our organizational goals and mission.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) will work within the BLS Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC) Unit to fulfill the TRC mission and support the daily operations of the TRC Unit, as well as share responsibility to broaden the Unit's impact and existing work.

The BLS Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC) is based in Brownsville and includes approximately 25 people, including supervisors, attorneys, paralegals, and essential support staff. Our dedicated team of housing advocates works with individuals and tenant groups to prevent displacement and support collective action, often in partnership with community-based organizers and tenant leaders. The TRC focuses on Brownsville, East New York, Flatbush, East Flatbush, and surrounding neighborhoods. It consists of extensive in and out-of-court advocacy in various forums, including but not limited to the Housing Court, Supreme Court, Federal Court, and multiple City and State agencies, as well as multiple monthly clinics, evening and weekend outreach events, and numerous Know Your Rights workshops.

We seek a candidate eager to learn, grow, and make a significant difference in the lives of our community members.

The TRC Unit Social Worker will be responsible for working with TRC Unit clients who are at risk of eviction or displacement. Responsibilities will include:

• Providing case management support to individuals and families at risk of eviction and displacement;
• 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;
• Drafting supporting affidavits and 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 need 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;
• Conducting home visits to clients to assess housing conditions, assess client needs, and provide case management assistance

Qualifications include:

• A demonstrated passion for social justice and commitment to working alongside low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;
• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, New York State license, preferred (will be required within one year from date of hire);
• SIFI certified, preferred;
• Experience providing case management to vulnerable populations;
• Familiarity with New York City (NYC) institutions and social service systems;
• Experience providing client advocacy related to housing and benefits, required;
• Knowledge of various housing resources and vouchers available through social services;
• Knowledge of and comfort working with people who experience mental health, substance use, and trauma-related conditions;
• Experience providing short-term counseling and crisis intervention;
• Experience conducting psychosocial assessments;
• Outstanding organizational, planning, and time management skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to working in partnership with community-based organizations, tenant organizers, elected officials, and other community stakeholders;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Outstanding communication, research, and writing skills;
• Skill with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, internet research, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies;
• Sense of humor and eagerness to pitch in wherever needed; and,
• Fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or another language spoken in the communities we serve is strongly preferred.

All employees are strongly encouraged to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Please submit (i) a cover letter, (ii) a resume, and (iii) two writing samples which can be advocacy letters, emails, or any form of writing to demonstrate ability to state clear instructions, give direct feedback, or encourage a positive outcome for a tenant.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

BLS offers an excellent benefits package and a highly competitive public interest salary. We offer health, dental, and vision plans, contribute to a 403(b) plan, and provide generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Salary Range $70,512 - $107,766 USD

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.