Forensic Social Worker, Juvenile Rights Trial Office

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

2d • $83,631 - $125,627

About The Position

The Juvenile Rights Practice (JRP) seeks an experienced Forensic Social Worker to address immigration-related needs of Juvenile Rights clients. The Forensic Social Worker is part of an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, paralegals, and other supporting staff representing children ages 0 to 21 in NYC family court matters, including child protective, PINS (Persons-In-Need-of-Supervision), juvenile delinquency, and termination of parental rights petitions. The role handles citywide immigration matters and primarily provides social work services to undocumented New York City youth and unaccompanied immigrant JRP clients.

The Forensic Social Worker also advocates with the New York Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and foster care agency personnel to meet immigrant clients’ social, health, and mental health needs. The position includes crisis intervention, clinical assessment, referrals and advocacy, collaboration with attorneys and agencies, and staff training. The salary range is $83,631–$125,627. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employer-sponsored work authorization; the employer is unable to sponsor employment visas or permits, with the stated TN visa documentation exception for citizens of Canada and Mexico.

Requirements

• MSW degree and New York State social work license (LMSW), or an MSW degree and ability to obtain a New York State LMSW within six months of hire.
• Strong diagnostic skills and experience working with children and adolescents with special education needs; mental illness (MICA); physical illnesses or disabilities; intellectual or developmental delays; histories of childhood sexual or physical abuse; histories as survivors of trafficking or other violence and trauma; and histories of substance use.
• Ability to interface with court personnel, immigration judges, school personnel, and NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).
• Ability to negotiate with community-based treatment providers and governmental agencies, including child welfare agencies, the Department of Education, and HRA.
• Ability to quickly develop treatment plans.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of relevant experience, including work with immigrant populations or trauma-informed care, is strongly preferred.
• Experience in or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people, immigrants, and children.
• Ability to manage a reasonable volume of cases and solve problems creatively.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and court advocacy skills.
• Proficiency in other languages, particularly Spanish, is strongly desired.
• Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model.
• Prior employment with Legal Aid is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide short-term crisis intervention and clinical assessments for immigrant youth and children represented by JRP.
• Refer clients to developmentally appropriate mental health and substance use treatment; facilitate admission to psychiatric hospitals or detoxification; and help clients access social networks and support to reduce isolation.
• Provide educational advocacy and assist with school enrollment.
• Assess eligibility for and refer clients to benefits available to undocumented individuals and families.
• Assist clients in obtaining health insurance where necessary.
• Review psychiatric records.
• Advocate orally or in writing with courts, USCIS, and asylum offices to present client issues and mitigating circumstances.
• Train JRP staff on interdisciplinary collaboration, suicide prevention, mental health diagnoses, child and youth development, and youth-specific services.
• Participate in consultations with attorneys and joint attorney-client meetings.
• Attend staff intake meetings and case conferences and provide general guidance on issues affecting the broader JRP caseload.
• Assist with referrals to appropriate psychiatrists or psychologists for evaluation.
• Support organizational initiatives to create a uniform practice across all boroughs.
• Collaborate and communicate in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Participate in training modules and contribute to the professional development of interdisciplinary teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Advocate with ACS and foster care agency personnel to address immigrant clients’ social, health, and mental health needs.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• Potential eligibility for New York State loan repayment assistance for New York residents, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level