Social Worker, Family Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services seeks Social Workers to join the Family Defense Practice (FDP).

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

BDS’ Family Defense Practice is the primary provider of legal representation for parents and caretakers who are accused of neglect or abuse in Brooklyn Family Court under Article 10 of the Family Court Act. Attorneys handle clients’ Article 10 cases and any related matters, including Termination of Parental Rights, custody, family offense, paternity, visitation, or other petitions.

FDP’s interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers, and advocates provide comprehensive representation to parents which includes zealous legal representation and litigation as well as social work advocacy at foster care and other agencies that impact the future of the family. FDP staff also works closely with BDS’ other practices to ensure clients have access to needed additional services and resources through our interdisciplinary practice model.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Social Work, the Social Worker is an integral part of the family defense team to advocate, both in and out of court, for clients facing abuse and neglect allegations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with an interdisciplinary team in providing comprehensive legal representation and determining case strategy for clients facing abuse and neglect allegations.
• Advocate for clients at Administration for Children Services (ACS) and foster care case conferences.
• Conduct assessments of client needs and develop appropriate social work strategies.
• Refer clients for services and communicate with providers about clients' needs and goals.
• Draw on a broad range of theories, knowledge, research, and skills to facilitate collaboration across health, welfare and other systems that impact clients’ well-being.
• Provide supportive counseling and support clients as they navigate intersecting systems.
• Visit clients at home and in the community.
• Maintain case notes and documentation in electronic databases.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or a master’s degree in Social Work and willing and eligible to become licensed within six months of starting the position.
• Experience working with family court, the family legal system, and/or mental health is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work as part of the defense team in a client-centered practice and maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained while working on the case.
• Strong clinical assessment skills.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues on an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to take responsibility for a caseload of clients with varying needs and case-related deadlines, ensuring timely action and intervention.
• Social workers fluent in another language in addition to English are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Information

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with occasional need for external visits/meetings outside those hours. The position is based at BDS’s offices, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn, but also anticipates visits to clients in jail, home visits and speaking to family in other locations as needed.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range starting at $70,000 - $83,075, based on education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement plan. To support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Please visit our Career Center to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by June 16, 2025.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you need accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director of Human Resources, Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org