Forensic Social Worker (Staten Island)

The Legal Aid Society; New York (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Forensic Social Worker to join their dedicated team. This role focuses on providing vital client services, interviewing individuals to gather comprehensive life histories that reveal mitigating factors influencing their legal situations. The FSW will advocate for alternatives to incarceration and collaborate closely with attorneys to develop treatment plans. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on clients' lives while working within the criminal justice system. Join a mission-driven organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and help clients navigate their challenges with compassion and expertise.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Vacation

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Qualifications

• MSW degree and NYS social work license preferred.
• Strong diagnostic skills with special needs clients.

Responsibilities

• Conduct bio-psycho-social assessments and crisis interventions.
• Develop casework and alternative sentencing plans.

Skills

Diagnostic Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Teamwork

Negotiation

Persuasive Writing

Education

MSW degree

New York State license in social work (LMSW or LCSW)

Tools

Computer Skills

Job description

Description

The Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a Forensic Social Worker in its Staten Island office to provide client services. While working closely with the Criminal Defense attorneys, the Forensic Social Worker’s (FSW) primary role is to interview clients, and any collateral contacts, with the goal of gathering a life history to highlight mitigating circumstances such as mental illness, drug addiction, trauma and/or chronic poverty leading to a client’s involvement in the criminal justice system.

The FSW will then advocate for an alternative to detention, an alternative to incarceration, or lesser sentence, based on mitigating factors. The FSW will evaluate clients and recommend a treatment program. The FSW will fill out necessary paperwork and provide supporting documents to facilitate a client’s interview with a program and/or to assure a client’s acceptance into a program. The FSW educates the client about treatment options, offers crisis intervention, and short-term counseling. The FSW provides essential information to attorneys about clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interview the client, performing a thorough bio-psycho-social assessment. During this process, crisis intervention, brief treatment, or short-term counseling may also be performed.
• Identify and interview collateral sources of information. Collateral interviews are done with family members, friends, teachers, social workers, community members, and others connected to the client.
• Request, review, and analyze life history records (e.g., school, medical, psychiatric) in order to document specific arguments within written reports.
• Develop casework plans in conjunction with the attorneys, develop alternative sentencing plans, and provide advocacy in court.
• Assess a client’s readiness for treatment and make referrals to substance abuse treatment, domestic violence, mental health counseling, shelters, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• MSW degree and New York State (NYS) license in social work (LMSW or LCSW) preferred OR the ability to obtain LMSW licensure within 6 months of hire.
• Strong diagnostic skills with a background emphasis in working with clients with the following special needs: MICA, physical illnesses and disabilities, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, and histories of substance abuse.
• Ability to interface with Judges, District Attorneys and Correctional Personnel.
• Ability to negotiate with community-based treatment centers.
• Ability to write persuasively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Ability to work within a team model.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $81,195 - $120,690

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email [e-mail].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, marital status, relationship and family structure, genetic information, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs.