Job Description

Family Defense Unit Social Worker

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) has an immediate opening for a full-time master's level social workers to be part of the Family Defense Unit (FDU) to serve parents who are accused of neglect and abuse in investigations, administrative hearings, Article 10, Permanency Planning, and Termination of Parental Rights matters as well as other related family court matters in the White Plains, Yonkers, and New Rochelle Family Courts. The position will be based out of the White Plains office but will require travel throughout Westchester County and appearances in all three Family Courts. FDU Social Workers will take lead in developing a holistic case management plan in consultation with clients, attorneys, and the parent advocate, accounting for the strengths and needs of the client and the family. Additionally, social workers will provide crisis management and ensure clients have the support that they need to access critical legal and non-legal services to achieve clients' goals of child safety and family stability including leveraging LSHV's other programs and providing referrals to outside providers.

Duties of the Position: Working collaboratively with attorneys, parent advocates and paralegals to represent parents in Child Protective (Article 10) and Termination of Parental Rights proceedings in Family Court, providing social work support and advocacy to clients, conducting intake and client interviews, assessing clients' needs and goals, ensuring clients are engaged in appropriate and meaningful service plans, completing strength-based family assessments and address acute needs, referring clients for necessary services and at times accompanying them to meetings with CPS and other entities, maintaining contact with service providers to obtain letters for court, advocating for clients with CPS and at foster care agency conferences, participating in team meetings as well as administrative meetings within LSHV, and keeping up to date client legal notes and entering data in LSHV's database. Objectives of the teams include shortening lengths of stay for children in foster care, promoting quality visiting arrangements, and ensuring that families receive services that are well-tailored to expediting safe and lasting reunification.

Requirements

• Master of Social Work;
• Two or more years of experience working with families in crisis, preferably in the Child Welfare or Family Court System,
• Excellent people skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate in a multidisciplinary team with other legal professionals, social workers, government agencies and other service providers;
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for the work of defending parents in Child Welfare Proceedings and Investigations and a desire to support parents;

Preferred

• Fluency in Spanish;
• LMSW license;
• Commitment to supporting the defense of people targeted by the family regulation system in Westchester County.
• Understanding of systemic oppression and Child Welfare as well as the impact on marginalized communities.
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people of various backgrounds
• Effective research, writing and advocacy skills
• Ability to multitask, organize schedule and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters

Salary: $65,000 - $85,000 DOE, with excellent benefits that include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage, as well as a defined contribution to a 403 (b), loan repayment assistance, and paid parental leave. After a brief probationary period, this position may permit work from home up to two days per week. Professional development includes access to job-related training, a Mentoring Program, and an Emerging Leaders Program.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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