Forensic Social Worker, Juvenile Rights Trial Office

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

2d

About The Position

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

The position provides social work services and advocacy to address clients’ social, health, and mental health needs, including coordination with the New York Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and foster care agency personnel. The role also supports JRP staff and interdisciplinary teams through consultation, training, case conferences, and practice-development initiatives.

Requirements

• MSW degree.
• New York State LMSW license, or ability to obtain a New York State LMSW within six months of hire.
• Strong diagnostic skills and experience working with children and adolescent clients with special education needs, mental illness (MICA), physical illnesses or disabilities, intellectual and developmental delays, histories of childhood sexual or physical abuse, 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.
• All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. The employer cannot sponsor employment visas or permits; a letter documenting employment status may be provided for citizens of Canada and Mexico seeking a TN visa.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of relevant experience, including work with immigrant populations or trauma-informed care.
• 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.
• Prior employment with Legal Aid.

Responsibilities

• Provide short-term crisis intervention and clinical assessments for immigrant youth and children represented by JRP.
• Make referrals to developmentally appropriate mental health and substance use treatment services; 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 benefits available to undocumented individuals and families and refer clients as appropriate.
• Assist clients in obtaining health insurance where necessary.
• Review psychiatric records.
• Advocate with courts, USCIS, and asylum offices, orally or in writing, 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 meet immigrant clients’ social, health, and mental health needs.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility and access to other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
• New York State loan repayment assistance may be available to eligible New York residents, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

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