Communities Resist

Social Worker

Communities Resist (“CoRe”), seeks a Social Worker to join a team combating gentrification, displacement, social and structural injustice through tenant organizing and affirmative litigation for low-income communities of color across Brooklyn and Queens. CoRe is a legal services organization for housing and community justice steeped in the 50-year tradition of community lawyering in Brooklyn and Queens. In these communities, we have spent years working together with neighborhood organizations and organizers in representing hundreds of tenants and tenant associations. Our representation has aimed to assist them with enforcing their right to social citizenship by struggling, resisting, and enduring against any attempts to deny working communities, largely of color, their place and their agency. CoRe has arisen out of a collective effort of these communities to ensure that this unique model continues unchanged.

Social Worker will be responsible for assisting CoRe’s attorneys and organizers with client interviews, assessing client’s psychosocial needs, and making relevant case referrals / follow-ups. The Social Worker will collaborate with attorneys, paralegals and organizers and other team members to address the psychosocial needs of clients. Needs may include, but are not limited to, housing subsidies (such as cityFHEPS, FHEPS, Section 8, etc.), cash assistance, mental health, SNAP, Medicaid, Fair Fares, NYCCare (healthcare access), or other related psychosocial needs.

This is a hybrid-position, and teams are in the office 3-days a week, two virtual. The candidate will report directly to the Director of Litigation.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct client assessments to refer clients to relevant support, and to help determine litigation options.
  • Provide counseling to help tenants understand the legal and administrative processes and provide appropriate intervention, including referrals, in crisis-situations;
  • Draft and submit letters of support, affidavits and other advocacy collateral on behalf of clients.
  • Attend relevant external-facing meetings (or on behalf of clients who agree to third-party representation) to ensure clients are receiving needed benefits/support.
  • Develop and provide, in collaboration with the Organizing division, community presentations and outreach. Maintain and develop new relationships with community partners.
  • Track cases in Legal Server and manage relevant administrative tasks to  ensure compliance with organization requirements;
  • Develop supportive materials for clients in need of affordable housing resources;
  • Perform other job-related duties, as assigned.

Experience and Qualifications

  • Master of Social Work degree; LMSW required. If not licensed, the employee shall take the qualifying exam as soon as feasible, upon hire.
  • At least 3-5 years of experience working with low-income and marginalized populations;
  • Case management experience;
  • Experience providing supportive counseling of varying time periods;
  • Demonstrated passion for social justice work.
  • An ability to work in a collaborative environment;
  • Ability to work independently;
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written;
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Proficiency or fluency in Spanish or other commonly spoken languages in NYC;

CoRe is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status. Salary will be commensurate with experience; excellent health and other benefits. The position is a hybrid position and requires three days in the office.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Salary range is from $77,000 to $85,000.

To apply, forward a cover letter with your resume to:
Angela Piguave, Deputy Executive Director
Communities Resist Inc.
E-mail: APiguave@communitiesresist.org.

Please Put ‘Social Worker’ in the subject line.