Compensation Range: $75,000 - $80,000 yearly commensurate with experience
Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.
Job candidates should be aware that scammers may pose as employers and create fake job postings in order to extract personal information from individuals for financial gain. Housing Works will never ask job candidates for personal information, such as social security numbers or bank account details, over the phone. If you suspect that a job posting may be fake or wish to confirm that a job posting from Housing Works is genuine, please contact us at [email protected]
Housing Works was founded in 1990; With a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York States first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs. A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org
Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services.
Benefits:
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.
Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements. Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a CBA) between Housing Works and the RWDSU
Overview:
The Housing Works Emergency & Transitional Housing Program (ETH) provides time limited transitional housing and support services to individuals reentering the community following periods of incarceration or other justice system involvement. Program participants engage in a variety of onsite services, including case management, vocational training, housing advocacy and mental health support that address barriers to accessing housing in the community and help build skills that participants can use to achieve and maintain stable functioning in the community. The Transitional Housing Social Worker will work closely with clients to assess needs, establish goals, and execute tasks and activities that support the clients return to living in the community. Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, the Transitional Housing Social Worker will address clients needs in areas such as housing stability, financial independence, employment readiness, mental health, and social supports. The Transitional Housing Social Worker will also collaborate with community partners, arranging for continuity of care as clients complete their stay in transitional housing and move back into the community.
Responsibilities:
- Assessment and Case Planning:
- Conduct assessments to identify each clients needs, strengths, and goals related to housing and self-sufficiency in other key areas of functioning.
- Collaborate with client and interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement individualized case plans with achievable short- and long-term goals, including steps toward stable housing.
- Case Management and Support:
- Provide case management services, including assistance with housing applications and coordination supportive services.
- Facilitate a transitional planning group,
- Offer crisis intervention and connect clients to relevant support services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, and employment.
- Client Empowerment:
- Use motivational interviewing to engage clients in work related to trauma, mental health, and other personal challenges impacting housing stability and living safely in the community.
- Conduct group sessions or workshops that enable clients to provide and receive peer support on topics such as life skills, conflict resolution, self-care, and community building.
- Housing Support and Advocacy
- Advocate on clients behalf with housing authorities, landlords, community agencies, family members or other entities that may be potential housing options for the client.
- Engage in housing-focused motivational interviewing and goal setting, working closely with clients to consider a variety of different conventional and unconventional housing options that may be available to them, promoting self-determination and decision making based on individual priorities, needs and available resources.
- Participate in department or agency sponsored advocacy efforts to establish public policies that enhance access to resources or otherwise have a positive impact on the communities served by Housing Works.
- Documentation and Compliance:
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, interventions, and progress toward care plan goals, in accordance with agency and funding requirements.
- Perform all job functions in a manner that complies with internal policies and professional standards set by the National Association of Social Worker (NASW).
- Actively engage in scheduled individual or group, virtual or in-person supervision.
- Participate in program wide quality improvement activities that improve program compliance with internal, funder, or participants expectations.
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW or LMSW) preferred. BSW will be considered based on related experience, skills, training and applicant other accomplishments.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in housing services, case management, or homeless services. Experience working in transitional or supportive housing programs is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of housing resources, rental assistance programs, and social services in the community.
- Familiarity with trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and harm reduction.
- Strong skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and boundary-setting.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to think critically and creatively, and exercise good judgment
- Working knowledge of current office, computer and social media technologies.
- Ability to travel to appointments, meetings, conferences, etc. for job-related business.
- Cultural sensitivity, empathy, resilience, teamwork, and commitment to advocacy for individuals facing housing instability
- Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) communication ability is highly valued and eligible for additional compensation.
- This role requires a mix of office-based and fieldwork, including but not limited to offsite engagement with housing providers or other client service providers.
- Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to meet client needs and can be negotiated in a creative and flexible manner.
- Ability to travel between offices by public transportation.
- Free parking at worksite can be arranged if needed.