Program Description:
Our housing practice focuses on preserving affordable housing in the Bronx for low- to moderate-income tenants. In an effort to achieve this goal, we represent individuals in Housing Court proceedings, challenge rent overcharges in various forums, bring individual and group HPs against landlords to obtain repairs for tenants, and file affirmative litigation. We have ties to tenant organizing groups in the communities we serve and work together with them to ensure that our practice reflects the needs and desires of these communities. The housing practice Social Worker will join the Social Work Unit at Bronx Legal Services and collaborate closely with housing attorneys, paralegals, and other advocates.
Bronx Legal Services:
Bronx Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) and provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the presenting legal needs of Bronx’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 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.
Experience and Qualifications:
The Social Worker will be responsible for assisting people who are at risk of eviction. 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 supportive affidavits, 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 needed 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; and
- Conducting occasional home visits to assess housing conditions, assess client needs, and provide case management assistance as needed.
Qualifications include:
- A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
- Master of Social Work degree, New York State license, preferred (will be required as soon as is feasible upon date of hire).
- SIFI certified, preferred, but not required. • 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 preferred.
- 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.
- Outstandingorganizational,planning,andtimemanagementskills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Outstanding communication, research, and writing skills.
- Fluency in Spanish, or another language spoken in the communities we serve, preferred but not required.
How to Apply:
The salary range for this position is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Competitive benefits package including hybrid remote work policy, excellent medical, pre-tax flexible benefits, and retirement plans along with generous annual (23-28 days) and sick leave (18 days). Clinical supervision and the ability to earn hours toward social work clinical credential provided.
To apply for the position, send your resume, cover letter, recent writing sample, and the names of three (3) professional references to Sylvia Figueroa, Office Manager. All applications should be submitted via email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
The subject line should read: “Housing Social Worker.” Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please, no telephone calls and no mailed applications.
Bronx 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.
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.
Salary Range (Based on years’ experience):
- 1-10 years: $62,805 -$85,108
- 11-20 years: $87,256 - $104,721
- 21+ years: $109,961 - $120,073