Social Worker

About Covenant House New York

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

About the role

The Social Worker provides psychosocial services using a variety of interventions, including

evidence based models such as DBT, SBIRT and Motivational Interviewing to young adults aged

16-21 residing in a 120 bed RHY shelter.

Reporting to the Interim Senior Director of Mental Health Services, the Social Worker is

responsible for providing psychosocial services including crisis intervention, risk/psychosocial

assessments, connecting youth to resources in the community, and short term supportive

counseling to a diverse youth homeless population. The Social Worker is also expected to

collaborate with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality service

delivery.

The Social Worker will need to be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment where

processes and protocols are being developed and refined as the program is operating.

Flexibility and excellent communication and problem-solving abilities are critical to successfully

fulfilling the requirements of this position. This position includes opportunities to be trained

and certified in evidence-based practices (EBPs). It also provides individual and group

supervision by an LCSW for pursuit of LCSW licensure.

What you'll do

(Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following)

• Provide individual and group counseling, and psychoeducation to youth experiencing homelessness to address mental health and psychosocial needs (per service plan). This includes short-term crisis intervention, including advocacy and follow-up for designated caseload.
• Complete psychosocial assessments (e.g., screening for mental health and substance use concerns and mental status) for higher needs residents. Identify current mental health, social, and emotional needs, making initial recommendations, in-house and outside referrals, and write appropriate summary report.
• Actively link young people who are interested in longer term mental health care and psycho-social supports to community based providers and communicate with providers/social workers at referring agencies as necessary.
• Become trained in and integrate evidence-based programs.
• Provide consultation to Case Managers and program staff—providing assessments, information (regarding issues around trauma, mental health and substance use), and referrals as needed.
• Meet regularly with clinical supervisor to discuss concerns, reflect on practice and client needs, and carry out plans for young people.
• Be vigilant about maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for our youth.
• Flexible schedule required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) required.
• Must earn LCSW Licensure within three (3) years of hire date.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Knowledge/Skills
• One (1) year of experience providing counseling and case work with at risk youth highly preferred; Internships in this field to be considered. Knowledge of trauma and mental health issues facing multi-stressed youth and families.
• Experience working in a shelter or residential setting is preferred. Knowledge of external and social service systems.
• Experience working with survivors of human trafficking and/or intimate partner violence preferred.
• Solid assessment, interviewing and crisis intervention skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and problem-solving abilities required.
• Experience working with diverse groups is preferred.
• Experience utilizing evidence-based and other social service models preferred
• Dedicated to the mission of Covenant House.