Social Worker

This is a temporary position funded through through June 30, 2028, with possibility of renewal depending on funding availability.

Position Summary

Reporting to a Clinical Professor of Law, the Social Worker supports members of the Columbia community and clients of Morningside Heights Legal Services, Inc. whose immigration status is at risk. Morningside Heights Legal Services, Inc. is the nonprofit law firm that houses Columbia Law School’s clinical program. This is a two-year temporary position, with possibility of renewal depending upon funding availability.

Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Services, Case Management & Advocacy

• Conduct intake with clinic clients to assess mental health and service needs.
• Provide counseling and case management for survivors of torture, domestic violence, and complex trauma.
• Assist clients in navigating and applying for resources for which they are eligible and provide related advocacy support.
• Accompany clients to immigration appointments and benefits offices.
• Conduct regular outreach to clients, providing emotional support and updates about case progress.
• Refer clients to appropriate resources as needed.

Student Instruction, Training & Team Collaboration

• Run trainings for law students on working with traumatized clients, safety planning, suicide assessment, and other topics.
• Hold office hours and lead case rounds with law students on issues common to many cases, including trauma, secondary trauma, boundaries, and cross-cultural communication.
• Work closely with teams of attorneys and students.

Resource Development & Institutional Partnerships

• Develop mental health and community resources on and off campus that enhance immigrant student experiences and academic success.
• Work with city and state agencies and non-profit organizations that provide services and/or benefits to low-income immigrants in order to meet client needs.
• Convene and collaborate with administrators throughout the Columbia community to support the needs of students whose immigration status is at risk.

Compliance & Professional Development

• Keep apprised of changing legal requirements that impact social service acquisition.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) required.
• A minimum of four to six years of related experience.
• Must be able to work effectively with diverse constituencies and foster an inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience addressing the specific needs of immigrants whose status is at risk.
• Clinical counseling experience with cross-cultural clients and individuals who have experienced trauma and PTSD.
• Strong assessment and service planning skills.
• Knowledge of benefit and health insurance programs, services, and therapeutic resources for low-income, undocumented immigrants, and trauma survivors.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain organized and detailed written documentation of work and referrals.
• Ability to work with a diverse client population using cultural humility and a client-centered, trauma-informed approach.
• Excellent interpersonal, administrative, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in a collaborative, fast-paced work environment, with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to conduct psychosocial assessments for legal proceedings.
• Experience supporting students in higher education and/or working in legal services.
• Prior experience working within an interdisciplinary team.