Social Worker - HUD
HUD Social Worker
The HUD Social Worker provides social work services for all SLLS areas, excluding New Orleans. This social worker will collaborate with our housing teams to provide individualized and holistic representation to clients facing eviction, termination from housing assistance programs, and/or other housing instability. The goal is to prevent eviction/loss of housing, help stabilize families, and ensure access to safe and healthy housing. The social worker assists attorneys in diverting eviction, preventing homelessness, and supporting housing stability. This position will be required to travel within the SLLS service area and may be in any of our offices (SLLS does offer reimbursement for mileage).
MAJOR DUTIES: The major duties for the HUD 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 (MSW)
- 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
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with 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 SLLS area.
- LMSW or LCSW license
- Law office experience, judicial, or other legal experience
Based on years of experience, the starting salary for a social worker is MSW $42,469 - $69,469, LMSW $45,469 -$72,469, and LCSW $49,875 – $76,875.
- Additional compensation for fluency in one or more languages other than English, which is regularly used in the position and needed by the program.
For more information about SLLS, our benefits offered, and available jobs, please visit, www.SLLS.org/employment.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Jobs@SLLS.org.
At SLLS, we know our differences make us better and stronger in achieving equal access to justice and we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion to make a positive contribution to our clients, communities, and each other. SLLS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status.