The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice has an opening for a Forensic Social Worker within the Elder Law Unit. The Elder Law Unit provides legal representation and support to seniors in housing court at risk of eviction. Elder Law Unit clients often present with substantial needs inextricably linked with the core eviction defense case. These needs/situations most often include (1)  cognitive limitations or decline; (2) physical and/or mental health related disabilities, (3) Elder Abuse (physical, financial, emotional); (4) inability to continue to live in the community without additional support (medical, financial etc); (4) are not receiving all of the benefits they could be eligible for; and (5) other issues stemming from one or more of the above. Addressing these complex needs are integral to maintaining a client centered focus in the representation and to allow the client to maintain autonomy and to live in the community safely as long as possible.  The Forensic Social Worker works as a team with the Staff Attorneys and Paralegals to provide this multi-disciplinary model of client-centered assistance in which we address many of the needs of the clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a member of the Elder Law Unit team supporting senior New Yorkers in housing court
• Collaborate with attorneys and paralegals to prepare clients for the housing court process and support clients throughout the legal proceedings
• Conduct assessments to identify mental health issues that may impact participation in the housing cases and put the client at risk for eviction
• Perform crisis intervention and short-term counseling
• Help clients navigate social welfare systems and develop casework plans in conjunction with the attorneys that include providing housing-related benefits assistance
• Provide referrals for mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Advocate with city, state and federal agencies including HRA, APS, and SSA as well as community-based advocacy
• Conduct home visits
• Maintain case files and electronic records

Professional Development and other duties as assigned

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• MSW degree and New York State certification in social work
• Strong assessment and client engagement skills
• Knowledge of government benefits and related advocacy desired
• Ability to work within a team model and an interest in research
• Strong organizational and advocacy skills
• Excellent writing, oral advocacy, case management, and computer skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with timelines dictated by the court

Preferred qualifications:  

• LMSW or LCSW preferred
• Applicants who have an MSW degree and agree to obtain New York State LMSW within 6 months of hire will be considered
• Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people is strongly desired
• Experience working with housing court or other legal venues
• Proficiency in languages other than English, especially Spanish, is desirable, but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of topical areas
• Demonstration or performance of specific skills
• Ability to successfully perform specific work duties

Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Commitment to Legal Aid Society’s mission and values

Physical, environment, travel, and other duties required: 

• Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; communicating and meeting using video and phone
• Will require travel within NYC, across the five-borough region.
• Ability to lift 10 pounds on an occasional

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles. 

Salary Range: $81,195 – $109,301

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY


All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jo**************@le*******.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.