Social Worker Family Shelter

Reports To: Director of Social Services

Location: Family Shelter Sites

Dean Street Family Shelter -2155 Dean Street Brooklyn NYunits begin operating on July 1 2026.

Fannie Barnes Family Shelter - 829 Saratoga Ave Brooklyn NYunits. begin operating on July 1 2026.

Status/Hours: Full-time Monday Friday (some evening hours may be required)

Salary Range: $70000 - $70000

Program Description

Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) operates family shelters providing safe supportive and dignified transitional housing for families with children experiencing homelessness. Our shelter programs are guided by a trauma-informed strengths-based philosophy and offer a comprehensive continuum of servicesincluding case management housing placement recreation and supportive programmingto help families achieve stability and permanent housing as quickly as possible. All shelter staff are expected to uphold BCSs commitment to equity cultural humility and client-centered care.

Position Overview

The Social Worker provides clinical social work services to families residing in the shelter offering psychosocial assessments crisis intervention mental health and domestic violence screening and brief therapeutic support. Clinical services are provided under the LCSW supervision of the Director of Social Services in accordance with NYS Education Law Article 154. Working in close collaboration with case managers and the Director of Social Services the Social Worker addresses the clinical and behavioral health dimensions of family functioning and ensures families are connected to appropriate specialized services while maintaining the confidentiality standards required under NYC Local Law 35 (2023).

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment and Intervention

• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments for newly admitted families and ongoing clinical assessments as needs emerge under LCSW supervision.

• Screen families for domestic violence mental health concerns substance use and trauma history; complete required screenings (e.g. Columbia Protocol DV screening) in accordance with DHS standards.

• Provide crisis intervention and short-term clinical support to families in acute distress.

• Facilitate brief individual and family counseling sessions as clinically indicated under the supervision of the Director of Social Services (LCSW).

• Inform residents that mental health services are voluntary and that certain disclosures may require mandatory reporting under Social Services Law Title 6 and Mental Hygiene Law 9.46.

• Assess for child welfare concerns and make mandated reports in accordance with law; coordinate with ACS as required.

Confidentiality and Information Management (Local Law 35)

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all information shared during the provision of mental health services; information from clinical sessions may not be disclosed to shelter staff DHS or contractors without the residents express written consent.

• Apply mandatory reporting exceptions to confidentiality as required by Social Services Law Title 6 and Mental Hygiene Law 9.46 and document such disclosures appropriately.

• Maintain clinical records separately from shelter case management records to protect resident privacy.

• Contribute to LL35 annual reporting data including types of services provided and caseload information.

Care Coordination and Referrals

• Develop clinical referral plans and connect families to mental health treatment substance use services domestic violence programs and other specialized resources.

• Maintain collaborative relationships with community-based mental health providers hospitals and behavioral health systems.

• Consult with and provide clinical guidance to case managers on complex cases involving mental health DV trauma or child welfare within applicable confidentiality requirements.

• Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences critical incident debriefs and team meetings.

• Coordinate with case managers on integrated service planning that addresses both housing and clinical goals.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain complete accurate and timely clinical documentation in CARES and BCS systems in accordance with DHS standards and LL35 confidentiality requirements.

• Participate in regular clinical supervision with the Director of Social Services (LCSW).

• Adhere to all applicable professional ethics standards NYS licensing requirements and BCS policies.

• Participate in ongoing professional development and required training.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) required.

• Licensure: LMSW required; LCSW preferred. Clinical services provided by an LMSW in this role are performed under the supervision of the Director of Social Services (LCSW) consistent with NYS Education Law Article 154. An LCSW in this role would satisfy an additional LL35 mental health professional unit for the shelter.

• Experience: Minimum of two years of post-graduate clinical social work experience; experience in shelter housing family services or behavioral health strongly preferred.

• Knowledge: Working knowledge of trauma-informed practice domestic violence dynamics child welfare mental health NYC community-based resources and NYC Local Law 35 (2023) confidentiality requirements. Familiarity with DHS shelter standards and CARES system a plus.

• Skills: Strong clinical assessment crisis intervention and documentation skills. Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment while maintaining appropriate clinical confidentiality boundaries.

• Other: Bilingual ability (Spanish or another language spoken in the community served) strongly preferred. Candidates will be subject to a criminal background check in accordance with applicable law including NYC Fair Chance Act requirements.

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.