The Urban Justice Center Mental Health Project (MHP) seeks a social worker with strong advocacy skills to work with clients with mental health concerns on our interdisciplinary team.

Who Are We?

MHP is a team of attorneys, social workers, advocates, and peer specialists, dedicated to disrupting and dismantling the cycle of hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration that traps low-income New Yorkers living with serious mental health concerns. We intervene at all parts of this cycle. We work to: secure financial and medical benefits to prevent homelessness and hospitalization; provide peer advocacy and social work support to empower clients in the community; collaborate on impact litigation; ensure proper discharge planning occurs prior to release from jail and psychiatric hospitals; connect people to the appropriate organizations through advice and referrals; and host community workshops to educate people about their rights and how to advocate for themselves and their peers.

Job Summary and Qualifications

The position will be part of an interdisciplinary team who provides advocacy services for adults with mental health concerns with low-income. MHP’s services currently include supportive housing applications, shelter advocacy, eviction prevention, discharge planning from psychiatric hospitals, and applications for government benefits. The Mental Health Project seeks a candidate with the following qualifications:

  • Commitment to anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and other social justice work;
  • Excellent advocacy skills;
  • Strong time-management skills, detail oriented, and efficient in prioritizing tasks;
  • Experience and commitment to providing client-centered and trauma-informed advocacy and case management services;
  • An understanding and openness to using harm reduction approaches in client work;
  • Great communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Ability to be collaborative and work with a team;
  • Strong writing and verbal skills;
  • Proficiency in Spanish is preferred, but not required;
  • Master of Social Work (MSW) degree required.
  • At least two (2) years of post-MSW experience;
  • Currently Licensed Master Social Work in New York State or able to obtain license within six (6) months from hire.

Responsibilities:

  • Advocate for MHP’s clients entering or in the shelter system, searching for housing, or in need of income;
  • Conduct crisis management and suicidal ideation assessments;
  • Provide income maintenance through Food Stamps, Public Assistance, Social Security, and/or other government benefits for which clients are eligible;
  • Connect clients to mental health treatment providers and care management services via Health Homes
  • Prevent eviction or stabilize new housing through rental assistance and applying for supportive housing using the HRA 2010E application;
  • Preserve the rights of psychiatrically admitted clients through advocating for a safe discharge from the hospital;
  • Facilitate presentations and trainings for clients and community-based providers;
  • Maintain client records in physical files and electronic databases;
  • Other social work tasks as needed to serve MHP’s clients.

The Mental Health Project is currently on a hybrid working schedule. The work schedule will depend on and may change given the Project’s needs.

Benefits/Compensation:

Salary ranges from $58,035.15 – $62,740.70 annually with excellent benefits.

How to Apply:

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and references to mhpjobs@urbanjustice.org. Please write “Social Work Position” in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for immediate hire. Due to the high volume, we are unable to respond to all applicants and will contact only those candidates selected for further consideration.

The Urban Justice Center (UJC) is strongly committed to equal employment opportunities for all individuals. UJC will make all employment decisions for employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, actual or perceived physical, mental, or other disability, veteran status, lawful use of health insurance benefits, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW, Local 2320.