Social Practitioner

New York Disaster & Interfaith Services (NYDIS); New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Disaster & Interfaith Services (NYDIS) is seeking a dynamic Social Practitioner for our Elements House-LES Adult Clubhouse on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. You will work side-by-side with members to ensure smooth clubhouse operations, member services, data accuracy, compliance, and a strong administrative infrastructure.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, the role is open to U.S. citizens or Green Card holders; other applicants must have work authorization in place.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; college degree preferred.
• 1–3+ years in working with individuals with serious mental illness or in a community setting.
• Experience providing virtual services preferred.
• Bilingual candidates strongly preferred (Mandarin/Cantonese and Spanish).

Responsibilities

• Engage members through relationship-building and a shared Work-Ordered Day.
• Support and strengthen a member-driven community aligned with Clubhouse International Standards.
• Address barriers such as social isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, symptom management, and economic challenges.
• Provide guidance with benefits and entitlements (SNAP, SSI/SSDI, Medicaid/Medicare, ACCESS-VR, ADA).
• Promote member growth and problem-solving through side-by-side engagement and group activities.
• Advocate for members’ well-being, safety, independence, housing, healthcare coordination, and community integration.
• Develop proficiency in Work-Ordered Day unit operations, including safety procedures and workflows.
• Support Clubhouse operations with flexibility for early arrivals, extended hours, or special programming.
• Complete required documentation accurately in a timely manner per agency standards.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and organizational policies.
• Uphold confidentiality and respect for members’ information and participation.

Skills

Relationship-building

Social Practice

Communication

Bilingual (Mandarin/Cantonese/Spanish)

Advocacy

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

College degree preferred

Job description

NYDIS inspires, connects, and equips faith communities to serve our neighbors in times of crisis and suffering, by building pathways to recovery, resilience and social justice.Our vision is world where all people can mitigate or recover from crisis and thrive—with justice, dignity, and the unwavering certainty that they are valued and cared for unconditionally.

We are seeking a dynamic Social Practitioner in our new 600-member Adult Clubhouse on Manhattan’s Lower East Side/Chinatown neighborhood – Elements House-LES, a member of Clubhouse International.Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Social Practitioner works side-by-side with members to ensure smooth clubhouse operations, member services, data accuracy, compliance, and strong administrative infrastructure. The position is open to U.S. Citizens or Green Card holders – any other applicants are required to have their own valid work authorization in place at the time of applying for NYDIS job openings.

Responsibilities:

• Engage members through relationship-building, social practice, and a shared Work-Ordered Day, supporting ongoing assessment of strengths, interests, and goals within the Clubhouse environment
• Support and strengthen a member-driven community rooted in Social Practice and aligned with Clubhouse International Standards, fostering belonging, purpose, and mutual support
• Utilize the Clubhouse community as a platform to co-create meaningful opportunities that address common barriers such as social isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, symptom management, and economic challenges
• Provide guidance and support with benefits and entitlements, including SNAP (food stamps), SSI/SSDI, Medicaid/Medicare, ACCESS-VR, and ADA accommodations
• Promote member growth, confidence, and problem-solving skills through side-by-side engagement, group activities, and individualized support within the Work-Ordered Day
• Advocate for members’ overall well-being, safety, and independence, including support with housing, healthcare coordination, appointments, medication management, and community integration
• Develop proficiency in assigned Work-Ordered Day unit operations, including safety procedures, workflows, and member-led tasks
• Demonstrate flexibility in supporting Clubhouse operations, including early arrivals, extended hours, or special programming as needed to meet community needs
• Complete all required documentation in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with agency standards
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and organizational policies
• Uphold strict confidentiality and respect for members’ information, experiences, and participation

Qualifications include:

• High school diploma required, college degree preferred.
• 1-3+ years working with individuals with serious mental illness or in a community setting.
• Experience providing virtual services is strongly preferred.
• Background in coaching, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, or benefits navigation preferred.
• Bilingual candidates strongly preferred, particularly Chinese dialects (Mandarin, Cantonese, Toisanese, Fujianese, Shanghainese); Spanish fluency is also preferred.
• Strong written communication skills and comfort with digital platforms (Zoom, email, electronic records).

Salary range, $55,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience - with excellent benefits.

All qualified candidates should apply; candidates from ethnic and religious minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. NYDIS does not discriminate against any individual or group for reasons of age, color, creed, culture, gender, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or race.