FLSA: Exempt/Overtime Ineligible

Benefits: Eligible

Hours Per Week: 40/Full-time

Met Council is America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. We fight poverty through comprehensive social services and by treating each client with compassion, integrity, and respect. Our programs are staffed by experts who help over 325,000 clients each year and advocate on behalf of all needy New Yorkers. Our services include 100% affordable housing at 21 locations, family violence services, Holocaust survivor assistance, geriatric social work, crisis intervention and the largest free kosher food distribution program in the world. Our network of 120 food pantries, affordable housing sites, and JCCs provide services directly in neighborhoods across New York City.

Met Council delivers services to survivors of intimate partner violence and sex trafficking both directly and in collaboration with Family Justice Centers and community-based organizations including our network of 15 grassroots Jewish Community Councils (JCCs) and other community-based providers. Our services are designed to stabilize and strengthen families and preserve communities by assessing needs and bringing to these communities the resources and support they require. While Met Council serves all people without regard to race, creed, religion, gender, and sexual orientation, we have developed expertise in addressing the social service needs of very diverse segments of New York City’s Jewish and immigrant communities including the low-income elderly, Russian-speaking and other émigrés, and Orthodox Jewish communities. We help and support individuals to regain their independence and move toward self-sufficiency.

Position Summary:

The primary role of the Social Worker is to work effectively with clients primarily from the Jewish community in New York City who have been impacted by intimate partner violence. This includes providing a comprehensive intake assessment, assessing client needs, creating safety plans, and providing a continuum of services including determining eligibility for emergency financial grants, providing counseling, referring clients to legal services, and drafting advocacy letters as needed. The Social Worker will also engage in culturally informed outreach efforts to help build trust and awareness in the Jewish community, particularly in Brooklyn. The employee will also coordinate with identified UJA partner agencies and collaborate efforts as needed.

Principal Responsibilities:

As part of the Family Violence Team, this staff member will be directly working with clients primarily from the Jewish community. While working directly with clients this Social Worker must be able to:

• Assess client needs.
• Answer Family Violence Helpline calls and provide immediate crisis support and safety planning services.
• Conduct intake in the main office, satellite locations (Brooklyn Hub), and remotely.
• Obtain appropriate documentation.
• Design a safety plan with clients.
• Perform case management services to include assisting clients with applying for Public Assistance, housing, and other public and philanthropic services.
• Provide information and referrals to clients regarding resources in the community.
• Provide support and counseling services to clients in both individual and group settings.
• Determine clients' eligibility for financial assistance.
• Complete applications for assistance.
• Maintain appropriate paperwork and database input (i.e. Salesforce) in a timely manner.
• Establish relationships and work effectively with partner agencies including legal services.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity to all clients.
• Provide individual and group psychotherapy to clients.
• Engage in regular outreach efforts in the community in a culturally informed manner.
• Comply with demands of funding grant and assist in preparing grant reports.
• Work collaboratively with the Family Violence team and help cover when staff is out.
• Manage a large caseload of clients.
• Provide educational workshops in an individual and group setting based on community need.
• Collaborate with identified partner agencies from UJA to assist with Jewish communal outreach.
• Participate in formulating community specific outreach events.
• Provide information and referral for community resources.
• Attend trainings and seminars regarding topics related to family violence and case work.
• Participate in task forces and other networks and represent the agency at these meetings.
• Participate in individual supervision and weekly group meetings.
• Supervise MSW student interns when the option is available.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Competencies:

• Capable of working with many cultures in a sensitive and caring manner.
• Ability to speak publicly, specifically about intimate partner violence in the Jewish community.
• Able to work effectively in a busy office environment serving persons under great stress.
• Commitment to serving vulnerable or poor New Yorkers.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to assess safety of clients and create safety plans as needed.
• Ability to provide short-term psychotherapy and provide support to survivors as needed.
• Manage own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
• Use Social Work ethics to support client and system needs.

Skill and Education:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (required)
• Prior experience working with domestic violence victims (required)
• Familiarity with the Orthodox Jewish community or willingness to learn
• Bi-lingual Hebrew, Russian, or Spanish (preferred)
• Superior interpersonal and public speaking skills
• Excellent computer literacy

Special Requirements:

• This position is co-located at our main office and at the Brooklyn Hub
• Must be able to travel on public transportation to offices as determined by Met Council administration and grants.

Compensation: $65,000 to $80,000 per year, commensurate with skills, experience, and education.

Benefits: Major medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits; FSA; 403(b) with employer contribution; plus generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.