Lead Social Worker

Position Title

Lead Social Worker

Department: Social Services

Site/Location: North Cove / River Avenue

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $75,000–$80,000

Reports To: Social Work Supervisor

Mission Statement

East Side House cares for the individuals, families, and communities we serve by expanding opportunities to live more fulfilling lives through education, career, and supportive services.

Job Description

Summary / Objective

East Side House (ESH) is a community resource serving the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. We believe education is the key that enables individuals to create economic and civic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. ESHs Social Services programs align with our mission by providing high-quality programs and services through community-based programs and school partnerships.

The Lead Social Worker serves as the primary social work resource at the assigned site, providing assessment, focused case support, crisis response, advocacy, and care coordination for residents experiencing complex or higher-acuity needs. The Lead Social Worker maintains an assigned caseload and provides ongoing, person-centered support and service planning to residents requiring more intensive social work intervention.

Working collaboratively with Case Managers, the Lead Social Worker provides case consultation and practice guidance, supports appropriate referrals and service coordination, and helps ensure consistent services that promote housing stability and long-term well-being.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Social Work Supervisor, the Lead Social Worker will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

- Serve as the primary social work resource at the assigned site, supporting residents with complex needs and providing guidance to the site team.

- Conduct comprehensive assessments for residents experiencing barriers, crisis situations, safety concerns, or needs requiring professional social work judgment.

- Provide focused case support and social work interventions for higher-acuity cases, including crisis response, safety planning, advocacy, stabilization, and coordination of care.

- Develop individualized service plans with residents and monitor progress toward housing stability, family well-being, economic mobility, and other identified goals.

- Provide case consultation and practice guidance to Case Managers, helping to determine appropriate interventions, referrals, follow-up, and escalation.

- Receive referrals and escalations from Case Managers when resident needs exceed light-touch case management or require more intensive intervention.

- Connect residents to behavioral health services, healthcare, benefits, housing stabilization, legal services, education, workforce development, childcare, food assistance, and other community-based resources.

- Facilitate warm handoffs and coordinate with external providers when residents require specialized or ongoing services.

- Facilitate or coordinate psychoeducational workshops and groups responsive to identified needs and emerging trends.

- Review case documentation, as appropriate, and support consistent, timely, accurate, and confidential documentation practices at the site.

- Identify recurring resident needs, service gaps, and trends and communicate them to the Social Work Supervisor to inform program planning and resource development.

- Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, supervision, professional development, and cross-site Social Services activities.

- Escalate significant safety, risk, complex-case, service-quality, or partnership concerns to the Social Work Supervisor in accordance with established protocols.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Qualifications

Qualifications

- Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution required.

- Experience working with individuals and families affected by homelessness, housing instability, poverty, behavioral health challenges, or other complex social needs strongly preferred.

- Knowledge of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered practices.

- Experience with needs assessment, crisis intervention, care coordination, and community referrals.

- Knowledge of New York City social services, behavioral health resources, and public benefits.

- Strong engagement, documentation, advocacy, communication, and organizational skills.

Competencies

- Needs assessment

- Participant engagement

- Motivational interviewing

- Trauma-informed practice

- Crisis intervention

- Care coordination

- Staff development

- Advocacy

- Service planning

- Cultural responsiveness

- Interdisciplinary collaboration

Clearance

Employment with East Side House is contingent upon successful completion of all required background checks, clearances, and/or screenings applicable to the position.

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Physical Demands

This role may involve occasional lifting or moving of items weighing up to 25 pounds and routine use of standard office equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Expected Work Schedule

The expected work schedule for this position is 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday , as aligned with program and service needs. The schedule may be adjusted based on ESHs operational needs and funder requirements, with notice provided whenever possible.

EEO Statement

East Side House (ESH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ESH strongly encourages individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.