Social Worker

Childrens Law Center•Washington, DC

3d•$66,000 - $76,512•Hybrid

About The Position

Children’s Law Center (CLC) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing high-quality legal services to children and families in Washington D.C. CLC envisions a world where all children have a strong foundation in family, health, and education, free from poverty, trauma, racism, and other forms of oppression. The organization works collaboratively with children and families to use the law to address immediate problems, improve systems, and strengthen the community for lasting change. A core part of CLC's mission is to actively challenge and reduce the impact of racism and other biases, both structural and interpersonal, that hinder the ability of individuals, the organization, and systems to provide children with a thriving foundation. CLC values its people, recognizing that diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are crucial for delivering the best outcomes for clients and the community. Staff members are expected to advance the organization's mission through leadership, a results-oriented mindset, and a commitment to cultural humility. CLC seeks individuals who are challenged to grow personally and professionally and who value making a difference in their community. The organization's continued success relies on recruiting and retaining individuals who embody these attributes.

Requirements

One or more years of experience working with children and families.
Valid driver’s license.
Master of Social Work from a CSWE approved school/university.
Passing ASWB Score or Social Work License in any state and eligible for District of Columbia and Maryland reciprocity (both DC and Maryland social work licenses are required for this position).

Nice To Haves

Experience with issues impacting children and families, such as substance abuse, mental health, adoption, domestic violence, grief and loss or related topics.
Experience working within the legal system and/or client advocacy.
Specialized knowledge or training in trauma and attachment principles in social work practice.
Experience working within multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience with assessments.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong ability to build and maintain productive and ethical relationships with diverse groups of people and/or individuals, including in conflictual environments.
Ability to be flexible, excellent time-management and organizational skills.
Demonstrated capacity to work independently and collaboratively.
Astute observation, critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Clinically review cases and consult with attorneys on a variety of issues in neglect, education, custody, housing and other legal matters.
Acknowledge attorney requests for case consultation.
Schedule, prepare for and meaningfully participate in the meeting, including developing assessments about presenting problems and recommendations.
Initiate, prepare for and meaningfully conduct case reviews on new legal cases as well as on other specified intervals dependent on legal program needs. Issue spot, develop assessments, and provide recommendations.
Provide ethical and competent documentation and recommendations to attorneys in a timely fashion.
Acknowledge attorney referrals within 24 business hours.
Schedule, prepare for and meaningfully participate in the initial meeting.
Collaborate with attorney to identify social work role and goals on cases and review and update these quarterly.
Provide independent comprehensive assessments and observations.
Provide proactive, strategic, clinical recommendations and advocacy in the best interests of the client.
Identify and assist in coordinating therapeutic services.
Conduct interviews with key case members and participate in meetings.
Assess, engage and strengthen internal and external professional team in the interest of clients.
Provide informal and formal clinical advocacy as needed in phone calls, team meetings and court hearings; testify in court as needed.
Complete quarterly Social Work Goal Reviews by due date.
Attend and actively participate in regular supervision to brainstorm case strategies, discuss teaming, keep the supervisor informed and ensure quality assessment, recommendations and advocacy.
Provide observations, formal assessments, social work goal reviews and other substantial documentation to supervisor to allow the supervisor to provide feedback.
Immediately report any impending or actual difficulty in fulfilling obligations to clients or CLC to minimize adverse consequences for clients or the organization.
Attend mandatory group supervision as scheduled, present cases or social work specific topics when assigned and meaningfully engage in discussion.
Engage in peer supervision as appropriate and consistently model social work best practices in an ethical and professional manner.
Demonstrate self-reflection regularly, considering how implicit bias, values and past experiences influence social work practice.
Report social work and legal ethics conflicts to supervisor immediately.
Ensure regular meetings with attorneys on collaboration cases occur.
Establish communication guidelines with the attorney, specific to the relationship (i.e., how information should be shared, etc.).
Provide timely feedback to attorneys and work to resolve conflicts.
Complete feedback forms as required.
Adhere to internal policies and procedures on multidisciplinary teaming.
Maintain accurate, timely data entry and document storage in CLC’s case management system (in compliance with documentation and timekeeping policies).
Participate in all required trainings, meetings and other CLC events including but not limited to; individual supervision; group supervision; internal trainings (when relevant and/or mandatory); legal program staff meetings (when relevant and/or mandatory); CLC staff meetings; and practice groups and other internal committees.
Obtain and maintain appropriate social work licenses as necessary for case practice.
Follow all required CLC policies.
Provide support to CLC’s policy and appellate teams in areas of expertise to address the systemic needs of CLC’s clients.
Conduct internal and external training as needed.
Contribute to the continued development and improvement of Social Work Program policies, procedures and practice.
Supervise social work students (Bachelors and Masters level) as needed.
Review social work core competencies and utilize them to guide the development of professional practice.
Set annual goals and review them quarterly to direct professional development.
Work to achieve annual goals and incorporate feedback from supervisory staff to improve case performance and capacity.
Identify and attend continuing education trainings that strengthen knowledge, experience and practice specific to relevant cases and professional duties.
Other duties as assigned.