Senior Social Worker

Educational Alliance brings together and partners with diverse communities in Lower Manhattan, offering individuals and families high-quality, multi-generational programs and services that enhance their well-being and socioeconomic opportunities. We are a place where everyone is welcome and where progress is powered one relationship at a time. We are proud of our legacy as a Jewish organization, and we provide high-quality, transformational services and programs to all New Yorkers through our network of community centers on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and East Village. As we have for 130 years, we offer best-in-class programming–now across 15 sites—focusing on a mix of education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and civic engagement.

The Weinberg Center for Balanced Living (WCBL) program for older adults is integrated into EA’s Manny Cantor Center (MCC), which serves New Yorkers of all ages, backgrounds, and languages. WCBL is an innovative Older Adult Center that aims to address the varied needs, abilities, and interests of adults ages 60+. WCBL’s holistic wellness programs make it a premier destination for older New Yorkers to enhance their physical and nutritional health, artistic prowess, and cultural and social connections. Moreover, WCBL provides older adults with critical social services support that allow them to age in place with dignity. Funded by the New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging), WCBL serves a population whose primary languages include English, Cantonese, Spanish, and Russian.

JOB PURPOSE

Maintain a caseload of older adult clients; assessment of client's core strengths, needs, and challenges, provision of case assistance, supportive counseling services, and group services within this context. Provide supervision to Weinberg Center for Balanced Living social services team, which may include caseworkers, social workers, and social work interns.

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

Direct contact with the WCBL’s client group of older New Yorkers: assist clients with a range of complex issues related to aging; facilitate client-led goal-setting and attainment; provide psychoeducation, advocacy, and supportive counseling to clients in navigating challenging life issues; facilitation of group workshop(s); and assist with program events.

Lead by example as a licensed professional social worker, serving as a role model for social service interns and/or staff members.

Connect members and their families of origin or choice, including but not limited to adult children and caregivers, to internal and external community resources.

Direct or indirect contact with MCC’s staff, consultants, volunteers, and external partners, including the NYC Aging Program Officer during social services audits.

Direct contact with the Podell Houses and Alliance Apartments Building Manager.

Coordinate support strategies, internally and externally, that are culturally sensitive and language appropriate to meet individuals’ needs.

Participate in regularly scheduled case conferences, weekly supervision and WCBL staff meetings, and other special agency staff meetings.

Liaise with and cultivate connections with social service providers and develop partnerships with community agencies, institutions, and organizations to allow for efficient referral processes, implementation of educational workshops for community members and staff, and sharing of resources and best practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

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.

JOB 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.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position

EEO INFO

Educational Alliance is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity and expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Educational Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For further information about Educational

Alliance, please visit https://edalliance.org