Social Worker

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Social Worker

JOB CATEGORY: Exempt (Salary)

STATUS: Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Supervising Social Worker

REGION/UNIT: US/Northeast

LOCATION: Newark, NJ USA Hybrid, in-office once per week required.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through April 3, 2026.

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Social Worker will be part of AFSC’s Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative, a publicly-funded project that provides representation for immigrants who are detained or are facing removal in New Jersey. The Social Worker will provide intensive case management for clients of the office, including creating comprehensive release plans for detained clients, and working toward securing referrals for services such as medical and mental health treatment, housing, public benefits, and counseling for particularly vulnerable clients and their families. As AFSC staff defend clients from deportation, the Social Worker will provide additional assistance needed to reach stability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Meet with AFSC legal staff to determine specific client needs and priorities/
• Provide active case management to AFSC clients including but not limited to asylum seekers and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Case management includes initial intake or needs assessment; clinical assessment; assistance in accessing necessary services, including mental health services; comprehensive release plans and/or biopsychosocial assessments for clients in detention for submission to the Immigration Court; and support for released or non-detained clients, including referrals, assisting in scheduling appointments; and providing accompaniment and advocacy around accessing essential and hard-to-obtain services.
• Conduct safety planning and risk assessment, crisis intervention, with a focus on individual preservation and collaboration with behavioral healthcare and other social service providers.
• Conduct screenings for mental and behavioral health problems and/or other problem areas to better understand clients’ needs.
• Provide psychoeducation to clients on relevant topics with particular attention to safety.
• Provide supportive counseling and/or mental health check-ins as well as assess for suicidality/homicidally to clients struggling with their mental health.
• Apply clinical insights in designing a supportive plan for clients in coping with reintegration into the community or impending deportation to county of origin.
• Identify, develop and maintain resource database to use and share with staff and
• Locate suitable resources for survivors of torture, domestic violence and complex trauma, including counseling programs.
• Provide information and resources for partners serving immigrants and/or their families.
• Perform supervision and evaluation of social work interns as
• Meet with supervisor regularly and submit grant reports on activities and accomplishments related to the responsibilities of the position.
• Maintain updated information in client database.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Directly or indirectly supervises employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training and engaging employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• License or appropriate certification from accredited social work program required.
• Minimum one year of experience in social work required.
• Familiarity with existing resources and public benefit programs in New Jersey required.
• Ability to recognize signs of trauma and mental illness.
• Commitment to and experience in working with and providing services in diverse and multicultural settings.
• Interest and passion for working with diverse immigrant communities.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Bilingual English and Spanish required.
• Some familiarity with immigration law and policy preferred.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required.
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Salary Family: Program. Job Code Social Worker. Minimum Starting Salary $57,000. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, STD & LTD, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, PTO, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays, participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity within our organization. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Bilingual English and Spanish required.