About the Organization:
Manhattan Legal Services fights poverty and seeks economic, social and racial justice for low-income borough residents through the provision of free legal representation, systemic advocacy and community education. Each year, MLS’s advocates represent and advise thousands of low-income residents of Manhattan facing crises with basic needs. MLS especially focuses on vulnerable populations including people living with HIV or a disability, elderly people, families with children, domestic violence survivors, immigrants and people who are unemployed. MLS empowers our clients by providing holistic, culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal services which address the multiple legal needs of clients. MLS is committed to diversity and inclusion, both internally and externally, and seeks candidates that support and enhance our diversity goals.
Role & Responsibilities:
Manhattan Legal Services (MLS) is seeking to hire a social worker who will be part of an interdisciplinary team of attorneys and paralegals. The Social Worker will work closely with attorneys and legal staff in multiple practice areas. In this role, the social worker will assist with particularly challenging cases: identifying services and providing advocacy, making appropriate referrals and participating in client meetings, providing crisis management, short-term supportive counseling related to the client’s case, giving expert witness testimony, conducting psychosocial assessments and home visits, preparing affidavits, and developing service plans.
The social worker will supervise social work students, including graduate students, in performing case management tasks. The social worker will provide training to staff and the community as needed.
The social worker will be a member of the collective bargaining unit.
Qualifications:
- Masters in Social Work working towards licensure for LMSW
- At least three years of post-MSW experience
- A SIFI certification or willingness to work towards a SIFI certification
- Experience working with diverse, low-income, and immigrant communities with a commitment to social justice
- Client advocacy experience
- Experience working with systems and benefits that affect low-income individuals
- Strong clinical and case management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivated, and possessing strong organizational skills • Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Experience working in a legal setting is preferred
- Proficiency in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, or Fuzhou preferred, but not required
- Commitment to supporting our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives
Health Recommendation
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date Covid-19 vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references by mail or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Please put “Social Worker” in the subject line.
NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE
Manhattan Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons, and persons over 40 are welcome and are encouraged to apply. Bar Associations and other organization: Manhattan Legal Services seeks and welcomes your recommendations for candidates who meet the foregoing qualifications and, in addition, requests that you or your organization encourage such candidates to apply.
Salary Range (dependent on years’ experience):
1-10 years: $61,725 - $83,645
11-20 years: $85,755 - $102,920
21+ years: $108,070 – 118,008