Friendly Visiting Social Worker

LOCATION

DOROT is headquartered on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and the team works on a hybrid schedule. The Friendly Visiting Social Worker will be expected to work in the office 3 days per week and as business needs require. All staff members are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

ABOUT DOROT

Founded in 1976, DOROT (“generations” in Hebrew) facilitates a dynamic partnership between older adults, volunteers, and professionals through programs designed to combat social isolation and loneliness and bring the generations together. DOROT is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults in the Jewish and wider community to help them live more independently as valued community members. Compassion and a commitment to excellence are hallmarks of DOROT’s programs and staff. The agency is a recognized innovative leader in mobilizing volunteers and infusing social work into its service delivery model. Our vast offerings of programs are conducted onsite, in the home, remotely and in the community.

ABOUT THE CONSTITUENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES (CCS) DEPARTMENT & FRIENDLY VISITING

The CCS department provides a range of supportive services that assist older adults in aging in place and connecting to programs and resources that help them to thrive and build vital social connections. The department provides support to a broad spectrum of older adults who range in age from 60 to over 100 and vary in physical mobility from highly active in the community to predominantly home-based. To support our social work model of service delivery, staff in CCS are consulted by colleagues throughout the agency as constituent needs arise. The robust CCS portfolio includes Case Assistance, Information & Referral, Kosher Meals at Home, Friendly Visiting, Home Assessments, and Synagogue Partnerships. The Friendly Visiting program offers older adults and adult volunteers a long-lasting and mutually beneficial connection through monthly or weekly visiting in the older adults’ home; both individuals are supported by a social worker through the life of the match.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to a Social Work Supervisor, Friendly Visiting Social Workers play an integral role at DOROT, fulfilling a combination of social work and programmatic responsibilities to support Friendly Visiting and the broader mission of the CCS department.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Primary Responsibilities:

• Be a vital, proactive, and collaborative member of the CCS department and Friendly Visiting team, ensuring that our work with constituents reflects social work best practice and adherence to department policies.
• Carry a minimum case load of 60 Friendly Visiting matches:
  • Skillfully interview and match volunteers with older adults based on shared interests.
  • Provide ongoing support and guidance to both the older adult and volunteer in each match through regular communication, ensuring the safety of older adults as they age and the well-being of both parties and their Friendly Visiting relationship as they experience life changes.
  • Conduct annual reassessments of matched older adults and provide case assistance as needed.
  • Track and share Friendly Visiting stories to support the agency’s work to elevate our impact.
• Work with the Friendly Visiting team and CCS leadership to refine the systems and strategies used for screening, orientation/training, and the matching process.
• Help develop occasional group programs to inform and support Friendly Visiting volunteers.
• Provide supportive services and social work support to prospective and current program participants:
  • Perform in-home psychosocial assessments of older adults to assess their fit for our programs.
  • Deliver case assistance to and conduct advocacy for older adults, their caregivers, volunteers, and other constituents, to help meet their needs.
  • Work with other program teams to integrate a social work lens as needed.
  • Provide Information & referral to those in need of support beyond our scope of work.
• Stay up to date on relevant issues that relate to aging in the community.
• Supervise both interns and office volunteers as needed.
• Represent DOROT at community outreach events, networking opportunities and conferences.
• Collaborate with peers and other departments to enhance the agency’s overall goals and impact:
  • With Community Outreach, Advancement, and Volunteer Services teams, for ongoing promotion and recruitment of older adults and volunteers for Friendly Visiting.
  • With Volunteer Services and Intergenerational Engagement to identify older adults for certain program opportunities.
  • With Advancement, to identify appropriate candidates for media/promotional opportunities and assist constituents within the caseload who agree to participate.
• Collect, track and maintain case assessment and related client interactions using DOROTs’ online database (Salesforce); this includes routine data entry and timely case note documentation.
• Information & Referral helpline coverage, special projects and other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• LMSW required
• Previous professional social work experience
• Affinity for working with an older adult population
• Strong interpersonal, clinical, group facilitation, and presentation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, with an ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Passion and sensitivity for DOROT’s mission
• Knowledge of local aging and community resources a plus
• Experience working with volunteers a plus
• Availability to work approximately 8 Sundays and/or work nights per year for programs or events; this includes up to four events that may not be within your regular scope of work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Salesforce or a similar constituent management system/database a plus

WHY WORK WITH US

At DOROT, we believe that the power of connection can be transformative. Working with us means that you will have:

• The ability to make an impact. DOROT is a mission-drive organization filled with passionate people focused on having a positive impact on the lives of our clients.
• Generous time off. DOROT offers 20 days of vacation per year, 10 paid Federal holidays and up to as many as 13 paid Jewish holidays, as well as early office closures on Fridays. We also provide fully paid Parental Leave and other generous Leave policies.
• Healthcare benefits. Medical, vision, dental, short-term disability, life insurance, and more. We offer a choice of benefits to ensure that you and your family are taken care of.
• Support to plan for your future. We offer a discretionary 403(b) contribution after your first 2 ¼ years with us with the opportunity for increasing contributions as you stay with us over time.

This position is non-exempt, and candidates can expect an annualized base salary between $50,000-$55,000 commensurate with experience.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application

It is the policy of DOROT, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals for employment or advancement without discrimination because of race, color, religion creed, political association, ancestry, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, national origin, citizenship, age, veteran status, pregnancy, disability, genetic, genetic characteristics, or other protected status.