Social Worker

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

Breaking Ground’s Street to Home programs makes regular contact with more than 2,000 street homeless individuals and connects more than 500 individuals to housing, medical and mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and other essential supports each year. The caring, individually tailored attention clients receive at each stage of their journey from street to home ensures that more than 95% of people who Breaking Ground places remain stably housed.

Reporting to the Team Leader II, the Social Worker provides clinical assessment and support for outreach teams who engage with individuals to determine homelessness history, services needed, and appropriate placement options.

They utilize Harm Reduction and Housing First approaches when conducting and supporting street outreach and engages with individuals to determine homelessness history, services needed, and appropriate placement options from the field in-the-moment. The Social Worker conducts 9.58 assessments.

Programs staff are required to locate and assist street homeless individuals under the most extreme weather conditions. Staff must be willing to engage with street homeless individuals and can handle multiple tasks in a fast paced, dynamic, team environment.

This is a part time position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Utilize effective strategies for outreach teams following Housing First, Harm Reduction, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care models of practice

• Conduct 9.58 assessments and removals
• Follow up on homeless conditions, community concerns, including 311 calls and encampment engagement
• Provide support and guidance to Housing Advocates managing difficult situations and successfully de-escalate conflict

Participate in Code Blue/Red Alerts

• Assess and complete 9.58 involuntary removals to a hospital and ensure all required documentation is accurate and completed on time
• Ensure documentation and reporting is accurately submitted on time
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

NYS Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) required

Supervisory Experience Preferred

• Obtain 9.58 credentialing within first 3 months of hire required
• Understanding of Housing First, client centered motivational interviewing, Harm Reduction models, behavioral and medical health systems
• Experience with crisis intervention, including, risk assessments and incident management
• Excellent communication skills (verbally and written) and ability to work with diverse population

Superb collaborative skills; ability to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground is preferred

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred
• EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled