Social Worker; LMSW

Overview

Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS), part of Legal Services NYC’s Brooklyn Programs, seeks a full-time Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) to join its Family Law/Domestic Violence Unit (FLU) to provide holistic, trauma-informed support services to individuals impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV). The social worker will be part of an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, paralegals, and other social workers to address the legal and psychosocial needs of survivors.

This role is primarily housed in the FLU but will include close collaboration with BLS’s Comprehensive Rights Unit (CRU) to ensure responsive, identity-affirming support for LGBTQ clients experiencing IPV and/or GBV. This is a hybrid position.

We are especially interested in candidates with a demonstrated commitment to working with immigrants, LGBTQ communities, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and other low-income survivors of violence who experience systemic barriers and marginalization.

Brooklyn Legal Services provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse low-income population. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for other vulnerable populations including low-income immigrants, older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where staff and clients feel welcome, with opportunities for growth through our Justice Learning Center and internal training resources.

The Family Law/Domestic Violence Unit (FLU) has provided legal services to domestic violence survivors for over 40 years and is a recognized leader in the field. We represent survivors in orders of protection, custody/visitation, child and spousal support, and divorce, prioritizing trauma-informed advocacy and wraparound collaboration with shelters, hospitals, and community partners.

The Comprehensive Rights Unit (CRU) offers comprehensive legal services to LGBTQ individuals and PLWHA, focusing on civil rights, discrimination, eviction prevention, access to public benefits and healthcare, gender marker/name changes, and end-of-life planning. The CRU also engages in affirmative litigation to address systemic discrimination. The social worker in this role coordinates with the CRU to provide trauma-informed psychosocial support to LGBTQ victims of violence receiving legal services.

• A Master of Social Work degree; LMSW required. If not licensed, the candidate must take the qualifying exam as soon as feasible upon hire.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience serving immigrant communities, LGBTQ populations, low-income communities of color, PLWHA, and clients facing poverty- or disability-related barriers is preferred.
• Experience providing client-centered advocacy for individuals who have experienced trauma is strongly preferred.
• Fluency or proficiency in a language other than English commonly served is preferred but not required.
• Experience conducting psycho educational groups and/or workshops is preferred but not required.

• Collaborate with attorneys and other advocates in the FLU and CRU to address the needs of individuals who have experienced crime, as part of a legal team.
• Provide information about Crime Victims’ Assistance and assist clients in applying for benefits and compensation through the NYS Office of Victims Services.
• Support crime victims in navigating family law, discrimination, housing, and other civil cases.
• Prepare written advocacy, letters of support, and affidavits.
• Accompany clients to court and in-community tasks (e.g., visits to HRA).
• Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine services, resources, and appropriate referrals.
• Conduct home visits as appropriate; provide supportive counseling, safety planning, and crisis intervention as needed.
• Rev…