Senior Social Worker

$75,000 - $80,000/Yr

JCC Association of America - New York, NY

Full-time - Senior

New York, NY

Social Assistance

About the position

The Senior Social Worker at Educational Alliance's Weinberg Center for Balanced Living (WCBL) is responsible for maintaining a caseload of older adult clients, providing comprehensive assessments, case assistance, and supportive counseling services. This role also includes supervising the social services team, which may consist of caseworkers, social workers, and interns, while ensuring that clients receive the necessary support to age in place with dignity. The position emphasizes a holistic approach to wellness and community engagement for older adults, facilitating connections to resources and advocating for their needs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of older adult clients, providing comprehensive assessment of needs, case assistance, supportive counseling and routine follow-up.
• Assist with connecting clients with concrete services that address their self-identified needs, including completing clients' applications for supportive housing for older adults (HUD Sec 202), benefits, and entitlements programs.
• Formulate care plans based on clients challenges, needs, and strengths, and recommend appropriate intervention strategies.
• Actively engage in reflective practice through participation in clinical supervision, case conference, staff meetings, and continuing education/training, both as a supervisor and supervisee interested in continued growth and learning as a clinical social worker.
• Collaborate with clinical supervisor and colleagues to monitor cases and consult with clinical supervisor when clients present with increased or imminent risk factors and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
• Assess and re-assess clients, prioritizing those with imminent risks and needs.
• Provide strategic information and referrals; advocate for service type, frequency, and intensity when connecting clients to resources.
• Serve as an onsite task supervisor and/or clinical supervisor for WCBL social services intern(s) and staff, including providing direct supervision sessions on a consistent basis or as assigned, reviewing and offering feedback on case notes and interventions, and completing performance evaluations.
• Complete case notes and units in electronic record, following funder's prescribed format, and review the WCBL social services team's case logs and notes, in a timely manner.
• Review intakes and community members with emerging needs; assign cases to WCBL social services staff and interns based on their bandwidth and expertise.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate relevant psychosocial, psychoeducational, and/or mental health and wellness workshops (1-2 times per month) and/or a group series (weekly) for community members.
• Assist with organizing WCBL programs and events, such as special luncheons and parties, the CelebratEArts Festival, and memorials, as appropriate.
• Work with an interdisciplinary team to ensure consistency of service to clients.
• Coordinate with external agencies to ensure best care for client.
• Attend supervisory, agency and community meetings as required.
• Provide interpretation and translation services for clients, based on fluency and expertise, and use supplemental interpreting tools and services when needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor and/or director.

Requirements

• LCSW, SIFI preferred OR LMSW, SIFI, 3+ years' experience, and eligible to take the LCSW exam.
• Bilingual (English/Cantonese or English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Knowledgeable and enthusiastic about working with older adults.
• Familiar with local resources and referrals, city/state/federal entitlements.
• Knowledgeable about age-related neurological changes; comfortable engaging clients exhibiting mental health symptoms and/or cognitive changes required.
• Attention to detail, ability to work under pressure, and effectively coordinate a comprehensive array of services to address the multiple needs of clients.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Prioritize tasks and cases, demonstrating astute judgement and time management skills.
• Utilize supervision effectively, maintaining a growth mindset by asking questions, collaborating with others, and insightfully reflecting on social work practices with older adult community members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to work collaboratively as part of the Older Adult Programs team.
• Knowledge of MS Office (outlook, office, excel) required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $75K-$80K
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education
• Supportive work environment focused on community engagement and service