Social Worker

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is comprised of 2,000 employees and with an annual operating budget of over $1 billion is one of the largest organizations of its kind committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City. Collaborating with other public agencies and not-for-profit partners, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it occurs, reduce street homelessness, and assist New Yorkers to transition from shelter into appropriate permanent housing. DHS is responsible for management of over 200 facilities, which mainly are individual and family shelters used as overnight residences for over 38,000 adults and children. DHS's portfolio covers approximately 4M square feet.

The Division of Shelter Intake is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the agency's Single Adult, Adult Families and Families with Children's intake and assessment sites, both directly run and contracted providers. This Division is responsible for ensuring that the City's most vulnerable population can access shelter, per eligibility criteria, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting for (1) one Social Worker who will:

• Help families retain and return to stable housing in the community through crisis counseling, mediation, referral services, benefits advocacy, and collaborative service planning.

• Engage applicants and their primary tenants that present at Path Family Intake with a possible housing option with the goal of stabilizing families in the community.

• Meet with Primary Tenant and the applicant in the homes to discuss with families.

• Provide mediation services or the feasibility of alternate housing options.

• Offer any recommended referrals for ancillary services, as needed.

• Accompany Fraud Investigators conducting eligibility investigations to assess health and safety conditions in primary tenant's homes.

• Facilitate financial assistance when applicable through HRA colleagues.

• Ensure HomeBase referrals are pursued by each family that remains in community.

• Encourage all families immediately identify strengths, obstacles, goals, and action steps necessary to achieve housing permanence, with the end goal of helping families return to stable housing in the community.

• Oversee any other tasks, as assigned by the Path Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

A Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.

License Requirements

You will be required to have a valid Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the New York State Department of Education within one year of the date of appointment. This license must be presented to the appointing officer at the time of appointment or, if it is obtained after appointment, at the time it is received. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

If you fail to obtain your LMSW or LCSW license within one year of the date of appointment, your probationary period will be automatically extended for six months. If you fail to obtain the required license by the end of 18 months of service, you will be terminated.

Special Note

Section 424-a of the New York Social service Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report. The agency has the discretion to assign a candidate who has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report to a position with no child-care responsibilities.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced social services environment.

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Excellent written, oral communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.