Social Worker (Victim Services)

Description :

Next Generation Center (1522 Southern Boulevard)

$60,000 - $65,000

Sign-On Bonus Eligible

Position Summary : The Next Generation Center (NGC) at Children’s Aid is located in the Bronx and serves disconnected youth ages 14 to 24, with a focus on youth involved in the foster care or juvenile justice systems.

To meet the needs of disconnected youth, ages 14-24, the Children’s Aid Society has developed a state-of-the-art center staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals committed to preparing and supporting young people as they transition to adulthood.

NGC offers a full range of services, including youth leadership and life skills training, a transitional employment program, educational guidance and tutoring, housing assistance, legal services, counseling, and arts and recreation.

Youth are also able to receive life coaching and referrals for other supportive resources focused on their needs. NGC received a new contract from the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) to provide a range of services to young men of color who are victims of crime.

Services will include counseling, therapy, case management, assistance in obtaining crime victim compensation funds, and other services.

NGC is seeking a full-time case manager to support this program

Essential Duties :

• Conduct outreach, engagement, and marketing activities to Children’s Aid sites (community schools, preventive, etc.), partner organizations, youth members of the CA Next Generation Center, and community members of the South Bronx and northern Manhattan areas
• Work collaboratively with program staff in the development of new protocols and practices
• Accept and manage referrals
• Conduct thorough assessments of the needs (medical and mental health treatment and other benefits and services) of crime victims
• Assess youth for trauma symptoms and emotional / psychological
• Provide crisis intervention and safety planning as needed
• Participate in required trainings, including Motivational Interviewing, to ensure effective service implementation
• Assist participants in completing compensation claim applications including obtaining the required documentation
• Review law enforcement, medical provider, and other social service reports to evaluate relevant issues.
• Advocate on behalf of participants for benefits and services
• Accompany participants to court, police stations, and other appointments as needed
• Provide follow-up to ensure needs are met and address additional issues as they arise
• Collaborate with youth on the development of treatment plans and goals
• Maintain accurate and thorough records on each client as well as required OVS tracking forms
• Collaborate with OVS Therapist on completion of quarterly and monthly OVS reports
• Participate in weekly clinical supervision, weekly team meetings, staff meetings, and other duties required by the supervisor
• Work collaboratively with NGC staff to provide engaging programming
• In-person collaboration is an essential function of the job
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications :

• Master's degree in social work or a related field required
• Experience working with persons in crisis including victims of crime; experience working with young men of color and LGBTQ people strongly preferred.

Key Competencies :

• Knowledge of community resources and counseling practices with high-risk populations
• Training / experience in Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care preferred
• Ability to motivate others toward achieving goals
• Case management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and excellent documentation skills
• Ability to use strength-based interventions
• Ability to develop alliances with high-risk and difficult-to-engage youth
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.

Children's Aid will not to tolerate discrimination, harassment or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender / sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted.

Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team.

This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes.

The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.

Requirements :