Staff Social Worker, Immigration Advocacy Project

1-20 yrs required

Full-time

No

Staff Social Worker - Immigration Advocacy Project (Queens Legal Services)

H1: Join Our Team as a Staff Social Worker in Queens, NY
H2: Help Fight for Social Justice and Equal Access to Justice for Low-Income Communities

Program Description:

- Founded in 1967, Queens Legal Services (QLS) is a community-based civil legal advocacy organization in Jamaica, Queens.
- We provide free legal counseling, representation, and referrals in civil matters for low-income individuals and families.
- Our services cover housing, immigration, public and disability benefits, domestic violence prevention, consumer and homeowner protections, and education and employment rights.
- We are part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), the largest free civil legal services provider in the United States.
- LSNYC prioritizes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts.

Immigration Unit:

- The Immigration Advocacy Project (IAP) is an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, paralegals, and social workers.
- We assist immigrant clients with various immigration matters, including removal defense, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, family-based petitions, and more.
- Our goal is to address root causes for systemic inequalities in Queens and New York City.
- The Social Worker will work closely with attorneys to minimize barriers for clients and assist with personal and legal goals.
- There may be opportunities to work with immigrant communities in other practice areas as needed.
- The Social Worker will report to the Director of Social Work and work closely with the Director of the Immigration Advocacy Project.
- Clinical supervision is available as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Responsibilities:

The Social Worker will work with clients who have active legal cases with QLS. Responsibilities include:

- Identifying clients' service needs and preparing them for engaging in needed services.
- Providing referrals, supportive counseling, crisis intervention, safety planning, and case management support.
- Advocating for clients to secure benefits or services from social and government agencies.
- Consulting with attorneys and clients on social work advocacy relevant to legal matters.
- Developing service plans and preparing clients to advocate on their own behalf.
- Accompanying clients to appointments or other venues as needed.
- Maintaining referral resources and relationships with community groups, organizations, and agencies.
- Conducting outreach and trainings with immigrant communities.
- Reviewing and providing professional psychosocial assessments and evaluations for clients.
- Assisting with initiatives developed by the QLS social work unit.
- Appearing in court and testifying on behalf of clients.
- Supervising social work students and volunteers.

Qualifications:

- Passion for social justice and commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
- Master of Social Work degree and New York State license preferred.
- SIFI certified preferred.
- Familiarity with New York City institutions and social service systems.
- Knowledge and comfort working with people who experience mental health, substance use, and trauma-related conditions.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed best practices.
- Desire and ability to work within an interdisciplinary team.
- Experience providing short-term counseling and crisis intervention.
- Experience conducting psychosocial assessments.
- Outstanding organizational, planning, and time management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, research, and writing skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, and willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies.
- Fluency in Spanish or another language spoken in the communities we serve is preferred.

How to Apply:

- Send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to .
- Please write "Immigration Social Worker" in the subject line of the email.

Salary and Benefits:

- Determined by the LS-NYC Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Equal-opportunity employer, strongly encouraging people of color, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those over 40 to apply.
- All employees are encouraged to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations.

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

Organization Overview:

- Queens Legal Services (QLS) is a community-based civil legal advocacy organization in Jamaica, Queens.
- We provide free legal counseling, representation, and referrals in civil matters for low-income individuals and families.
- Our services cover housing, immigration, public and disability benefits, domestic violence prevention, consumer and homeowner protections, and education and employment rights.
- Founded in 1967, our goal is to ensure equal access to justice for all low-income residents of Queens.
- We are part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), the largest free civil legal services provider in the United States.
- LSNYC prioritizes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts.

Job Title: Staff Social Worker - Immigration Advocacy Project (Job#19_2024)

Job Summary:

- Join our team as a Staff Social Worker in our vibrant community-based civil legal advocacy organization.
- Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and social workers to assist immigrant clients with various immigration matters.
- Work closely with clients to minimize barriers and assist with personal and legal goals.
- Conduct outreach and trainings with immigrant communities.
- Provide referrals, counseling, crisis intervention, and case management support to individuals and families.
- Advocate for clients to secure benefits or services from social and government agencies.
- Review and provide professional psychosocial assessments and evaluations for clients.
- Supervise social work students and volunteers.
- Contribute to initiatives developed by the QLS social work unit.
- Maintain relationships with community groups, organizations, and agencies.
- Appear in court and testify on behalf of clients.
- Stay up-to-date

Determined by LS-NYC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Fluency in Spanish or another language spoken in the communities we serve preferred

Counseling, Referrals, Crisis Intervention, Case Management, Advocacy, Service Planning, Outreach, Training, Assessments, Supervision

Master of Social Work degree, New York State license preferred

Send cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to with "Immigration Social Worker" in the subject line

Qualification and Experience Master of Social Work degree, New York State license preferred

Legal