Housing Social Worker
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) is a non-profit law firm serving the 22 parishes east of the Atchafalaya basin. We have offices in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Harvey, Houma and New Orleans. We provide free civil legal aid to low-income households.
Housing Social Worker
The Housing Law Unit Social Worker provides social work services for parishes served by the SLLS Baton Rouge, Covington, Gretna, Hammond, and Houma offices. Providing intensive, individualized and holistic representation to clients facing eviction, termination from housing assistance programs, and/or other housing instability with the goal of preventing eviction/loss of housing, helping stabilize families, and ensuring access to safe and healthy housing. The social worker assists attorneys in diverting eviction, preventing homelessness, and supporting housing stability.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Housing Law Unit Social Worker works under the direct supervision of the assigned Supervising Attorney.
MAJOR DUTIES: The major duties for the Housing Law Unit Social Worker are:
• Providing crisis mediation as needed
• Interviewing SLLS clients and performing assessments to determine client social, emotional, educational, and/or psychiatric/psychological needs
• Familiarity with the range of benefits/income supports which may be available to clients and their families and connecting families
• Making referrals, security short-term rental assistance or permanent housing resources, and assisting with logistics to secure them
• Following up with clients and/or agencies to obtain status on connecting with resources/referrals
• Advising attorneys and other staff on issues with the expertise of social workers including trauma informed care, the use of standard social work assessment tools, and available community-based services
• Assisting attorneys in preparing for court, testifying in court/administrative bodies, and assisting in the preparation of information to judges or other decision makers
• Conducting intake with clients and/or family members as appropriate
• Collaborating with other SLLS staff in strategic planning and new project development
• Social workers must perform all duties in accordance with applicable law, ethical rules, and SLLS policies
• Social workers are responsible, in accordance with rules promulgated by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, for timely obtaining and properly maintaining licensure and/or certification to practice master’s level social work. Social workers will be provided access to ongoing training in areas of importance to their job, including professional, ethical, and legal rules.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Commitment to civil legal aid and holistic client-centered advocacy
• Excellent interpersonal and interviewing skills and the ability to develop rapport
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with strong clinical and analytical skills
• Understanding of social, psychological, medical, economic, and legal factors that affect housing stability
• Strong work ethic and experience working as part of collaborative team
• Ability to perform self-directed work in an in-office or remote work setting
• Creativity in solving problems, responding to urgent needs, and meeting challenges
• Ability to help SLLS establish standards and protocols for use of social workers as part of our legal defense team
• Graduate-level social work degree from an accredited school of social work
• Licensure or certification to practice masters-level social work in Louisiana (LMSW/LCSW) or eligibility to obtain such in the immediate future
• Experience in collecting/entering data in case management system, documenting referrals, and providing information needed for reports
• Proficiency in use of Powerpoint, Excel, Google Docs, Microsoft Office Suite Programs
• Bilingualism is a plus that receives extra compensation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience working with at-risk families, homeless/housing insecure households, and/or other vulnerable populations
• Understanding or experience with the civil justice systems and/or eviction courts
• Familiarity with the array of community-based services and resources in the greater New Orleans area and Louisiana to support low-income and other vulnerable tenants
• LCSW license
• Law office experience, judicial, or other legal experience
SALARY RANGE: LSW $46,000 - $64,000 LCSW $50,000 - $68,000
SLLS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status.