Director of Social Work

Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS) seeks a full-time licensed social work director (LMSW or LCSW) to join our social work team in a vibrant community-based civil legal advocacy organization in Brooklyn. The Director of Social Work will supervise a dynamic team of staff social workers working on interdisciplinary teams of legal advocates. The legal-social work interdisciplinary teams at BLS utilize a holistic, trauma-informed, collaborative advocacy model to provide free legal services to low-income Brooklynites.

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, helps more than 110,000 New Yorkers annually. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients —preserving affordable and decent housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic and intimate partner violence, advocating for the disabled and marginalized groups and working with immigrant clients to adjust, maintain, and defend their immigration status.

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. LSNYC provides numerous opportunities for growth and professional development. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals. The Director of Social Work’s duties will include actively working to advance LSNYC’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging goals.

Responsibilities

· The Director of Social Work will provide supervision to a team of staff social workers working across several practice units to provide holistic support services to vulnerable Brooklyn communities we serve. The Director will be part of an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, paralegals, and social workers providing advocacy and supportive services to BLS clients. Supervision of staff social workers would include task and clinical supervision, to address the complexities of social work in an interdisciplinary setting, case reviews, and performance evaluations. The Director will also assist BLS clients across the program, where possible, on advocacy and related supportive services. The Director will proactively search for and assist in drafting proposals for funding to further support social work at BLS. The Director will be expected to enhance protocols and strategies for the social work team, using staff input, to respond to changing needs. They will also represent the organization at community events, participate in borough-wide outreach, conduct trainings for and develop and strengthen relationships with partner community-based organizations, and coordinate social work unit meetings at BLS.

Requirements

· NYS Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW);

· Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) Certification, required;

· Five years post Masters of Social Work experience directly providing counseling, in-depth needs assessments, crisis intervention, and comprehensive case management required;

· Additional supervisory experience of licensed social workers and MSW interns providing comprehensive case management and advocacy, crisis intervention, and program management and development, required;

· A demonstrated passion for social justice and commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equality;

· Experience working with communities and clients who have significant trauma histories, using trauma-informed interventions, specifically communities of the BLS units that currently have staff social workers: Housing, Immigration, and LGBTQ or HIV populations;

· Experience working and collaborating on an interdisciplinary team (preferably a legal setting), including with attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff;

· A demonstrated commitment to social workers and the profession and experience advocating for the well-being and interests of social workers;

· Experience conducting psychosocial and mental health needs assessments, and writing affidavits of support;

· Familiarity and enthusiasm in collaborating and developing relationships with New York City and NY state institutions, federal agencies, and community-based organizations and stakeholders;

· Background in non-profit organizations and experience with researching grants, writing grant proposals, and grant reporting;

· Strong writing skills and proficiency in MS Office suite;

· Strong interpersonal, communication, time management, anti-racist, and organizational skills

How to Apply:

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to Please write “Social Work Director” in the subject line of the email. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Brooklyn Legal Services offers an excellent benefits package and a highly competitive public interest salary. Benefits include health, dental, and vision plans; contributions to a 403(b) plan; and generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience.

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.

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. Staff members who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320.

BLS acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description’s qualifications. We understand that the ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed above or be equally proficient in each area; we especially encourage applicants who are impacted by LSNYC’s work to submit their application anyway.

Job#18_2024; Posted 2.2024

Salary Range Based on Years of Experience: $115,584 - $183,696

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $115,584.00 - $183,696.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Brooklyn, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person