Social Worker, Preventing system involvement (PSI)

CLC’s team of social workers provide support, referrals and assessment of children involved in family court proceedings. Our clients frequently have complex histories, including family dissolution and conflict, domestic violence, mental health issues, and educational challenges among other needs. Our social workers team with CLC staff attorneys, caseworkers, paralegals and client services staff to provide outstanding client services to CLC clients.

CLC is building a social work-legal team dedicated to preventing our clients from becoming further enmeshed in the child protective system. The Preventing System Involvement (PSI) team will provide holistic support to children whose families are experiencing ACS investigation or other issues that may lead to further system engagement.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Social work is a key part of the CLC’s mission. Social workers engage with our clients and, as allowed, with their families to provide services that strengthen both family and community supports.

Specifically, social workers:

• Conduct assessments, create service plans and make referrals.
• Accompany clients and or attorneys as needed to appointments, services, or hearings.
• Assist attorneys in developing the advocacy needs of the case.
• Testify in court as needed.
• Communicate with client’s other mental health providers, teachers or social service professions and provide regular updates to the attorney.
• Work collaboratively with other staff and follow social work best practices.
• Attend supervision, team, and office-wide meetings and maintain a positive team environment.
• Other appropriate duties as assigned.
• The ideal candidates will have social work experience working with children.

Key Qualifications and Competencies

• MSW degree; NYS License in Social Work or sitting for the test and in obtaining the license within 6 months of employment.
• Knowledge of family court, custody, domestic violence and child welfare strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience teaming with colleagues to find solutions to complex situations.
• Superb people and effective communication skills including cultural competency, written, verbal, time management, and organizational skills.
• Curiosity and eagerness to continue learning new skills and growing professionally and take an optimistic approach to new challenges.
• Demonstrated efficient, persistent and meticulous attention to detail along with outstanding initiative, analytical, critical thinking and problem resolution skills.
• Proven ability to work independently with excellent judgment, diplomacy, professionalism and able to prioritize requests, track and manage multiple requests simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in languages other than English preferred but not required.