Program:
The legal-social work interdisciplinary teams at BLS utilize a holistic, trauma-informed, collaborative advocacy model to provide free legal services to low-income New Yorkers. This Social Worker will assist attorneys and other legal staff to promote the rights of and provide services to LGBTQ Brooklynites, people living with HIV/AIDS (“PLWHA”) and other vulnerable client communities we serve. The Social Worker will work with attorneys and clients to help develop and determine appropriate case strategies, prepare and support court cases, and they will work directly with clients to assess and address their non-legal needs.
About Brooklyn Legal Services:
Brooklyn Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) and provides high quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse, low-income communities. LSNYC’s mission is to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country. Our staff of over 600 people, in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs, help more than 110,000 New Yorkers annually. LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff, and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals. LSNYC provides numerous opportunities for growth and professional development.
The LGBTQ & HIV Advocacy Project is a general practice unit designed to provide comprehensive legal services in a single location for people living with HIV/AIDS (“PLWHA”) and the LGBTQ community. The Project provides representation in a broad-range of civil legal issues including discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment, education, and other public accommodations; appealing wrongful denials in public assistance, social security, health insurance, and other benefits; eviction prevention; obtaining legal name and gender marker changes; and advance directives (wills, living wills, powers of attorneys, etc.). The Project also files affirmative litigation challenging discrimination and other systemic abuses faced by LGBTQ communities and PLWHA.
Role & Responsibilities:
The Social Worker will provide a range of services including but not limited to:
- Partner with an interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive legal representation, determine case strategy for clients, address clients’ non-legal needs, and assist clients in understanding the legal process;
- Collaborate with other Unit staff in developing social work frameworks and crisis intervention tools;
- Advocate for clients in a variety of fora, including, but not limited to, housing court, Supreme Court, the Commission on Human Rights, the Human Resources Administration, supportive housing providers, and hospitals;
- Support clients in identifying and addressing medical, mental health, housing, education and social service needs;
- Provide supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and community referrals to culturally- and linguistically-appropriate services;
- Identify and establish relationships with other community services needed to assist our clients;
- Conduct psychosocial assessments and evaluations of clients to assist in their legal case;
- Prepare service plans and provide clients with court accompaniment, advocacy, and counseling support;
- Complete home visits to clients to assess client needs, housing conditions, and to provide case management assistance;
- Collaborate with other BLS social work staff to develop and share relevant resources and trainings to colleagues;
- Attend community events, provide community education, and trainings, as necessary;
- Prepare data reports, as necessary.
Experience & Qualifications:
- Demonstrated passion for social justice and commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;
- A minimum of 2 years of experience working with PLWHA and/or LGBTQ people;
- Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse ages, and national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds;
- Master of Social Work degree and New York State LMSW license (license will be required within one year from date of hire);
- Experience and comfort working with people who experience mental health-, medical-, and traumarelated conditions;
- Case management and client advocacy experience with vulnerable community members;
- Familiarity with New York City institutions and social service systems;
- Experience providing crisis intervention and short-term, supportive counseling;
- Ability to work both independently to self-manage day-to-day schedule with clients and as part of a collaborative team;
- Excellent interpersonal, writing, communication and oral presentation skills;
- Outstanding organizational, planning, and time management skills;
- Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) certified, (preferred)
- Experience working as a social worker in a legal environment or as part of an interdisciplinary team (preferred);
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, internet research, etc., and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies; and
- Proficiency or fluency in Spanish or other language(s) commonly spoken by our client communities (preferred).
How to Apply:
Interested individuals should email a résumé, cover letter, and two writing samples to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
BLS offers an excellent benefits package, hybrid remote work policy, and highly competitive public interest salary. Clinical social work supervision provided. We offer excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision plans; contributions to a 403(b) plan; generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience (determined by Collective Bargaining Agreement). Staff members who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320. Brooklyn Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer: people of color; women; people with disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people; and people over the age of 40 are welcome and encouraged to apply. We are committed to race, gender, and economic justice in our work and within our workplace.
Inclusion Statement: Studies have shown that women and people of color are more hesitant than others to apply for jobs where they fear they may not fully meet every single qualification listed. While this list of qualifications represents the qualities that we are looking for in an applicant, we are looking for the best candidate for the job. If you are interested in this position and have substantial relevant experience, we encourage you to apply even if you do not fully meet every criterion listed above.
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 reason.
Salary Range (Dependent on years of experience):
- 1-10 years: $62,805 -$85,108
- 11-20 years: $87,256 - $104,721
- 21+ years: $109,961 - $120,073